The UpLevel Podcast: Recent Episodes
Christie Mann & Rachel Baldi
In the first year of the pandemic, the global prevalence of anxiety and depression increased by a massive 25%. And employers with workers who are experiencing mental health issues spend more than $5,500 on average in turnover costs per year per employee. In addition, according to a late 2021 Gallup Survey; 85% of employees are experiencing a level of disengagement at their workplaces and 73% are actively looking for new employment. The Great Resignation for many has become The Great Realization. It’s clear that mental health, well-being in the workplace, and having an up-leveled consciousness are more important than ever, both for individuals themselves and for organizations.UpLevel Productions is committed to ending the stigma around mental health as well as humanizing the workplace to create cultures of well-being which is why we create content, experiences, and trainings that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. Each series in the podcast shares stories, knowledge, and know-how from experts in leadership, wellness, mental health, and the humanization of the workplace and our schools. Series 1: Creating a Coaching Culture Series (including the Wisdom From Our Elders Event) Series 2: Well-Being in the Workplace Series 3: Mental Health Awareness
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Returning to work after time away can bring hope, excitement, and more self-doubt than many people expect.
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, our host Christie Mann coaches multidisciplinary creator Amanda Wood through the very real experience of preparing to return to the workforce after an intentional 18-month career break.
Amanda has spent her career leading creative teams, building brands, and running her own agency. During her time away, she developed greater clarity about the kind of work she wants to do, the life she wants to create, and the values she refuses to leave behind.
Together, Christie and Amanda explore how coaching can help shift attention away from the inner critic and back toward possibility. Through future visioning, embodiment, metaphor, and practical coaching techniques, Amanda reconnects with what gives her energy: meaningful collaboration, creativity, trust, flexibility, and contributing to something larger than herself.
One of the most powerful moments in the conversation comes when Amanda recognizes that the loudest voice in her head is not the most truthful one. As Christie reminds her, self-doubt often grows louder when we're getting closer to something that truly matters.
Whether you're returning after raising children, recovering from burnout, taking a sabbatical, caring for loved ones, or intentionally stepping away to reset, this conversation offers encouragement and practical coaching tools to help you move forward with greater confidence.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- How to rebuild confidence after taking a career break
- Why self-doubt often increases before meaningful change
- A coaching exercise that creates momentum through future visioning
- How to reconnect with your strengths instead of your fears
- Why values should guide your next career move
- Practical ways to move forward before you feel completely ready
About Amanda:
Amanda Wood is a multidisciplinary creator with a degree in fine arts and over 15 years of experience as a creative professional in advertising and communications. She has worked in large agencies as an art/creative director for clients like Toyota, Air Canada, McDonald’s, and Mazda and later founded her own agency specializing in bringing new brands to market. She is also a certified yoga instructor and a student of acting and is engaged in many community-based creative projects such as sign painting, schoolyard revitalization, and children’s face painting, to name a few. Amanda lives in downtown Toronto with her husband, six-year-old son, and dog, Cosmo.
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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If you've ever felt like your own body stopped taking direction from you, this one's for you.
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a deeply personal coaching session as Christie Mann, executive coach, leadership educator, and co-founder of UpLevel Productions, steps into the client seat as Master Certified Coach Nick Kettles, who has spent more than 25 years working with grief, transition, and ancestral healing, guides her through one of the biggest transitions of her life.
Together they explore the grief of letting go of an identity built on capacity, achievement, and always having it together.
This conversation is about far more than hormones. It is about what happens when the version of yourself that has carried you for decades can no longer carry you the same way. It is about learning to rest without guilt, discovering a different kind of strength, and trusting that wisdom often grows when productivity slows.
Nick brings together Co-Active Coaching, grief work, constellation practices, trauma-informed coaching, and ancestral healing to help Christie make meaning of this threshold. What begins as a conversation about fear gradually becomes an exploration of possibility, elderhood, and giving ourselves permission to become someone new.
Whether you are experiencing perimenopause yourself, supporting someone who is, or navigating any season of profound transition, this episode offers language, compassion, and hope for what can emerge when we stop fighting change.
In This Episode:
- Why the exhaustion of perimenopause might be making room for something deeper than physical rest
- The difference between leadership and eldership, and why one requires letting go of the other
- What it means to "own" your energy, your work, and your worth without deferring or diluting it
- How ancestral trauma and ancestral vitality both live in the body, and how naming your lineage can be part of healing it
- Why so many women in this season describe feeling like Bambi: new, unsteady, and strangely innocent
- A moment of real grief work, honoring a great-grandmother lost to suicide and the silence that followed
Coaching Grief and Loss Masterclass | Oct 14th for 5 weeks
Reserve your slot here: https://phoenixconsulting.eu.com/coaching-grief-and-loss/
UpLevel with Grace | Substack
Read Here: When the Estrogen Has Left the Building
About Nick:
Nick is a Master Certified Coach, and healer of 25 years experience in the human potential movement. In a desire to escape an awkward and painful past, throughout his life, he frequently mistook his own adaptive and often reactive life strategies as evidence of a purposeful existence.
Today, however, he increasingly finds delight in finally moving slow enough to discover that our purpose and indeed our spirituality can be found at the heart of our messy humanity. This realization guides all his work whether as a coach, trainer, designer or writer.
Website: https://nickkettles.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkettles/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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What does it actually feel like to be so aligned with your purpose that you lose track of time?
This season is about stewardship, and that means taking you inside real coaching, leadership, and relationship conversations as they actually happen. This week on The UpLevel Podcast, our host, Christie Mann, coaches Quinn Simpson, co-founder of Gedi Village and Graydin, in a live somatic coaching conversation about becoming.
Quinn opens up about the moment a book changed the direction of her life, the mentor who told her she couldn't change the world one person at a time, and the vision she's now building through Gedi Village, an ecosystem designed to bring the concept of a village back into how children learn, with Toronto positioned as a global hub for that vision.
The conversation moves into the body. Quinn is coached through a physical embodiment exercise that surfaces something she hadn't expected to say out loud: a lifelong ache to give other people permission to be fully themselves, and the grief underneath that longing.
What emerges is a conversation about social health as the missing link between mental well-being and meaningful relationships, and why the next version of Quinn is choosing to build in public.
If you have ever felt the pull toward your next chapter but couldn't name what it actually looks like, this conversation will help you feel it before you can explain it.
In This Episode:
- Why Quinn believes systemic change matters more than individual change
- What Gedi Village is, the philosophy behind it, and the vision for Toronto as a global education hub
- A live somatic coaching exercise on embodiment and becoming
- The connection between social health and personal alignment
- How coaching helps uncover what thinking alone cannot reach
- Why vulnerability can create permission for others
- Why urgency and rest can coexist in how we build our future
- The physical anchor Quinn is creating to stay connected to her next chapter
About Quinn:
Driven by a passion to transform education, Quinn Simpson is the co-founder of the Gedi Village Foundation. She aims to make Toronto a global education hub by establishing a cutting-edge K-8 school, a professional development centre, and a philanthropic arm advancing social-emotional learning.
Quinn was also a co-founder of Graydin, an organization dedicated to revolutionizing how we support and empower the next generation. Since 2011, Graydin has partnered with over 400 schools and universities worldwide to pioneer the educational coaching movement.
With 18 years of experience in coaching, teacher training, and content creation, Quinn is a certified Co-active Coach and NLP Coach Practitioner. Previously, she co-founded Akosia, a charity operating for 10 years that used coaching to facilitate filmmaking projects for underprivileged youth and women.
Quinn lives in West End Toronto, where she enjoys walking in High Park and teaching her two sons, Theo and Bowie, that coaching skills are for everyone.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachquinn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinnsaysyes/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
Tags: somatic coaching, purpose alignment, coaching for educators, personal transformation, social health, embodiment coaching, becoming your next self, coaching for founders
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If you're a parent, a leader, or anyone navigating the tension between responsibility and authenticity, this conversation speaks directly to you.
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, Luke Partridge, a seasoned talent acquisition leader with more than 20 years of executive search experience across the UK, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and Asia, brings forward one of the most human leadership challenges there is: how to show up with integrity, collaboration, and authenticity while parenting three teenagers through constant shifts in family dynamics.
Together with Christie Mann, Luke explores his core values of accountability, empathy, and authenticity, the three that form what he calls his "North Star of Fatherhood." Through perspective work and deep reflection, Luke moves from thinking about these values to genuinely experiencing them, and he discovers that vulnerability and transparency are real sources of strength.
This episode embodies the season's theme of stewardship: what it means to model values rather than simply teach them, to create the conditions for others to thrive, and to lead from a place of integrity even in the most pressurized moments.
Listen in as Luke finds that being a work in progress, admitting what you don't know, and honoring your values when it's hard is exactly what the people who trust us most need from us.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- Fatherhood as a leadership practice
- Accountability, authenticity, and empathy
- Creating a healthy family culture
- How vulnerability builds trust
- The connection between parenting and leadership
- Modeling values through everyday actions
- A practical reflection practice for staying grounded
- What it means to steward the next generation
About Luke:
Luke Partridge is a seasoned talent acquisition leader with over 20 years of executive search experience across the UK, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and Asia. Based in Hong Kong, he currently serves as a Talent Partner at Equinix, where he partners with business leaders to build high-performing teams in the digital infrastructure space.
Previously, Luke honed his expertise at Meta (Facebook), earning praise for his strategic recruitment approach, candidate experience, and ability to align talent with complex business needs. Passionate about proactive talent strategies and team development, he brings deep insight into how to curate your career, getting the maximum from your work path, and using modern recruiting practices, including generative AI applications in talent acquisition.
An avid marathon runner and fundraiser, Luke has completed ultra-challenges for Oxfam, UNICEF, and the MS Society while volunteering with environmental causes. A father of 3 and lifelong learner, he shares practical wisdom on building exceptional teams through his writing and speaking.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukepartridge/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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Many talented professionals reach a moment when they know they're capable of more influence, more impact, and more leadership, yet something keeps them standing at the edge of that next chapter.
In this episode of The UpLevel Podcast, we invite you inside a real coaching conversation with Marlenne Johnson, an organizational transformation strategist, storyteller, and systems thinker who helps organizations move through complexity with greater clarity, intention, and humanity.
Throughout her career, Marlenne has partnered with leaders and teams to guide change, strengthen employee experiences, and create meaningful transformation. Now she finds herself facing a leadership question of her own:
How do I move from being known as an executor to becoming a builder, thought leader, people leader, and community leader?
Together, Christie Mann and Marlenne design a coaching alliance and explore the beliefs, habits, and assumptions that can keep even the most capable leaders from fully stepping into their potential.
Through a future-self visualization rooted in Co-Active coaching, Marlenne connects with the version of herself she hopes to become, only to discover that the qualities she's seeking may already be present.
In This Episode:
- Designing an alliance for safety, bravery, and growth
- How future-self coaching can open up leadership growth
- Why so many leaders wait for permission before stepping forward
- The difference between executing work and creating lasting impact
- How self-trust shapes leadership presence
- The role community plays in personal and professional growth
- Practical ways to bridge the gap between who you are and who you're becoming
About Marlenne:
Marlenne Johnson is an organizational transformation strategist, storyteller, and systems thinker whose work lives at the intersection of people, power, and change. With a career spanning recruiting, employee experience, and organizational effectiveness, she specializes in helping leaders navigate complex transformation by turning ambiguity into structure and intention into action.
Her perspective is grounded in a deep curiosity about how individuals move within systems: how culture, incentives, and identity shape the choices people make inside organizations. Marlenne is known for her ability to see patterns others miss and for bringing both strategic clarity and emotional intelligence to conversations about leadership, transformation, and personal agency.
Through her writing and her work, she explores what she calls the work of the “Soul Architect”: the ongoing practice of examining the systems we inherit, the roles we play within them, and the conscious choices available to us as we build something new.
She is also the co-founder of the storytelling podcast My Story Is Not Unique, a space for honest conversations about identity, resilience, and the shared human experiences that shape how we lead, live, and grow.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlennejohnson/
My Story is Not Unique Podcast
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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If you lead others through uncertainty while privately wondering how to stay grounded yourself, this episode is the most honest conversation you'll see today.
What happens when the person usually holding the space… becomes the one being held?
This week, join us for a deeply personal episode of The UpLevel Podcast; the script is flipped.
For the first time this season, our host Christie Mann fully steps into the client's seat and is coached live by her longtime mentor, dear friend, and master coach, Joni Mar.
What unfolds is a raw, honest, and deeply human conversation about fear, leadership, uncertainty, and what it means to continue showing up in a rapidly changing environment.
As Season 11 centers on stewardship, this episode offers a deeply human example of what it means to embody the work rather than simply discuss it.
Together, Christie and Joni move beneath analysis and into embodiment—exploring anxiety around travel, leadership, safety, isolation, responsibility, and the emotional toll of living in a world that feels increasingly volatile.
What emerges is a powerful reminder: Leadership isn't about having it all together. It's about staying human enough to remain connected—to ourselves, to others, and to the work we're here to do.
In This Episode:
- What live coaching actually looks and feels like
- The emotional reality many leaders are carrying right now
- How fear and uncertainty show up in the body
- Why grounding practices matter more than ever
- The paradox of creating safety while still answering the call to lead
- What it means to steward yourself while stewarding others
About Joni:
Joni Mar, MCC, CPCC, CNTC, CTIC
For more than two decades, Joni Mar has been helping leaders wrestle with a deceptively simple question: Who do I need to become to lead what's next?
Known for her warmth, grounded presence, and ability to ask the question beneath the question, she helps leaders uncover the hidden patterns shaping how they think, decide, and lead. Joni believes the most powerful leadership shift is expanding a leader's awareness of who they are being while they lead because the hardest part of leadership isn't strategy, it's identity.
A Master Certified Executive Leadership Coach and senior faculty member with the Co-Active Training Institute, Joni has been training coaches since 2003.
An early contributor to the global expansion of coaching, Joni introduced Co-Active Coaching to the Hong Kong market and has spent more than a decade working between North America, Asia and Europe, bringing a deeply cross-cultural lens to leadership and human development.
A long-time steward of the field, Joni now focuses on supporting the next generation of coaches and helping leaders bring greater wisdom, compassion, and courage into the systems they serve.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonimar/
https://www.instagram.com/joni.mar/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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What are you being asked to carry forward?
This question opens Season 11 of The UpLevel Podcast, a season focused on Stewardship: Being the Work.
And to kick it off, we return to a conversation that has become a meaningful annual ritual. This International Coaching Week 2026, we gather a circle of elders—mentors, teachers, and leaders whose wisdom has shaped us and so many others.
These are the people who walked the path before us, who held the work before we knew how to hold it, and who, in many ways, made it possible for us to be here.
In this conversation, hear from:
- Caroline Hall, MA, CPCC, PCC
- Clark Friedrichs, MCC & CPCC
- Deborah Colman, Master Certified Coach, MCC, CPCC, MA (Ed.)
- Dori Ben-Chanoch, PCC, CPCC
- Joni Mar, MCC, CPCC, CNTC, CTIC
Together, we explore what it means to step into eldership as a way of being, a way of releasing the need to prove and stepping fully into contribution. Listen now!
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- The connection between stewardship, leadership, and elderhood
- What it means to carry wisdom forward without holding too tightly to it
- How to stay relevant, present, and human in a rapidly changing world
- The role of relationship as the foundation of leadership
- What today’s leaders are being called to protect, nurture, and pass on
Panel:
Caroline Hall, MA, CPCC, PCC
Clark Friedrichs, MCC & CPCC
Deborah Colman, Master Certified Coach, MCC, CPCC, MA (Ed.)
Dori Ben-Chanoch, PCC, CPCC
Joni Mar, MCC, CPCC, CNTC, CTIC
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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What happens when you spend 15 months living inside one question?
In this Season 10 finale of The UpLevel Podcast, our host Christie Mann reflects on a journey of transformation—one that has unfolded through conversations touching every dimension of life: how we relate to ourselves, to each other, to leadership, to systems, to the land, and to lineage.
For the past 15 months, we’ve explored one central inquiry:
What does it mean to be in right relationship?
Across conversations with leaders, elders, innovators, and practitioners from around the world, this question has taken us into the depths of self-awareness, leadership, community, lineage, and our relationship with the planet.
In this closing episode, we honor the voices who shaped this season, from indigenous wisdom keepers and corporate leaders to coaches, artists, and innovators.
Right relationship asks us to be more present, more honest, and more responsible for how we show up in every interaction, every system, and every moment.
And it points us forward because right relationship doesn’t end here.
It leads to a deeper question: What are we here to care for? And that question opens the door to what’s next.
Stay tuned for Season 11 of The UpLevel Podcast, Stewardship: Being the Work.
In This Episode:
- Embracing Conscious Beginnings and Completions
- Podcast Growth and Global Community Impact
- Season Overview: The Inquiry and Its Depth
- Honoring Season Guests and Their Wisdom
- Culmination: Leadership Transformation and Season Reflections
- Right Relationship as a Lifelong Practice
- Transition: From Relationship to Stewardship (Season 11 Preview)
- Invitation and Appreciation
About Christie:
Christie is a best-selling author, certified executive coach (CPCC, PCC), and the Co-Founder and CEO of UpLevel Productions—a global leader in leadership transformation. She’s the host of The UpLevel Podcast, consistently ranked among the Top 10 Coaching Culture podcasts worldwide. Driven by a deep commitment to fostering a more conscious, compassionate, and humane world, Christie is a visionary who empowers leaders and organizations to unlock their full potential and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Website: https://www.christiemann.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiemann/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/christiemann1/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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What does it actually look like to live and lead in right relationship?
In this final episode of season 10, The UpLevel Podcast brings together two leaders who have been deeply embedded in this work, both in conversation and in real-time practice.
Over the past 15 months, we’ve explored right relationship across industries, identities, and lived experiences. It only felt right to close this chapter with Carlo Bos and Heather Davidson, whose partnership with UpLevel has become a living example of what right relationship can look like at scale.
Carlo is a leadership development expert, executive coach, and former co-CEO of the Co-Active Training Institute, and Heather Davidson is an innovative learning and development leader and strategic problem solver with nearly two decades of experience across Google, Amazon, and GE.
We’ll explore what it means to lead from self-acceptance and courageous conviction while remaining open enough to be shaped by others. We look at how co-creation, trust, and shared purpose become the foundation for effective leadership—and how presence, mindset, and nervous system regulation influence every interaction.
As we close this season on right relationship, this conversation becomes both a reflection and a bridge. A reflection of what we’ve been exploring together and a bridge into what’s next. Listen now!
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- What right relationship looks like in real leadership practice
- Self-acceptance, conviction, and adaptability in leadership
- Co-creation as a driver of performance and culture
- Designing relationships within complex organizations
- Leadership in the age of artificial intelligence
- The role of mindset, presence, and nervous system regulation
- Navigating power, hierarchy, and disagreement
- Building trust and alignment at scale
- Stewardship and thinking in generations, not just outcomes
Disclaimer: The views Heather Davidson shares in this conversation are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Google or any other current or former employer.
About Carlo:
Carlo Bos is a leadership development expert, executive coach, and former Co-CEO of the Co-Active Training Institute, where he led during a pivotal period of transformation from 2018 to 2023. Over the past 20 years, he has worked with executives across industries as an assessments expert, program designer, and master facilitator, building and scaling leadership programs that have reached thousands.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boscompanyleadershipcoach/
About Heather:
Heather Davidson is an innovative Learning and Development leader and strategic problem solver with nearly two decades of experience at Google, Amazon, and GE. She views leadership as the ultimate lever for business performance and specializes in translating complex strategy into behavioral change and measurable results.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-davidson-be-awesome/
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How do we connect to our purpose and bring people and entire industries into right relationship for good?
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we’re joined by Debbie Levin, CEO of the Environmental Media Association. Since taking over EMA in 2000, Debbie has helped transform the organization into a powerful force for change, harnessing the influence of media and entertainment to pioneer a high-impact model of environmental activism.
In this conversation, we explore how Debbie authentically embodies the voice of sustainable living, using storytelling and cultural influence to move awareness into action, and ultimately into real solutions.
We also reflect on how right relationship begins within ourselves, and how authenticity, presence, and community can help guide us through uncertain times.
This is a conversation about purpose, stewardship, courage, and the power of living in alignment with who you truly are.
In This Episode:
- How authenticity and genuine connection transform both business partnerships and personal relationships
- Explore how powerful bonds form when people come together around shared values and purpose
- Gain insights on protecting your well-being in an era of media overload, misinformation, and constant global tension
- How confidence and self-trust grow over time, and why letting go of people-pleasing can unlock true leadership
- Follow Debbie’s unexpected journey into the Environmental Media Association
- Learn how storytelling and celebrity influence can shift culture and bring sustainability into the mainstream
- Reflections on her Jewish heritage and the emotional complexity of navigating rising global tensions
- Reflections on heritage, resilience, and the responsibility to future generations
About Debbie:
Debbie Levin, CEO of EMA, has been singular in harnessing the power of the media and entertainment communities to pioneer a high-impact model of social activism since taking over the organization in 2000. Debbie has her pulse on the millennial generation and is known as the consummate connector within the global celebrity world, the corporate world, and the sustainability communities. She authentically embodies the iconic persona and voice, clearly embracing and educating the sustainable lifestyle. She utilizes storytelling and message development to drive awareness into action and solutions. Over her 26 years as CEO of EMA, she has expanded the organization to serve as a leading tool to connect industries, brands, influencers, and entrepreneurs in order to collaborate, advocate, and drive action, empowering individuals and the corporate world.
Website: https://www.green4ema.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-levin-656b892/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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What does “right relationship” actually look like over nearly 50 years of partnership?
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a deeply human and unexpectedly playful conversation as we sit down with Master Certified Coaches Cynthia and David Darst, senior faculty with the Co-Active Training Institute and CRR Global and life partners, to explore how right relationship is more than just a destination… it’s a living, evolving practice.
Cynthia also shares powerful insights from her book, Meet Your Inside Team, and explains how doing your internal work prevents you from projecting your fears and stories onto the people you love.
This episode is full of laughter, lived wisdom, humility, and the kind of insight that only comes from decades of choosing each other again and again.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- Why right relationship doesn’t mean harmony
- The importance of learning how to “fight clean”
- The power of taking your own side without attacking the other
- What it means to practice not knowing your partner
- How to recover when you miss each other
- Designing co-leadership consciously
- Staying in relationship even through the reality of death
- And why you’re never holding the relationship alone
About Team Darst:
Cynthia Loy Darst, MCC, and David Darst, MCC, are Team Darst.
With more than 50 years of combined coaching experience, Cynthia and David have traveled the world working with teams and training others in the skills that elevate coaching, leadership, and everyday life.
Both are senior faculty members with The Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) and with CRR Global (formerly The Center for Right Relationship).
Cynthia’s book, Meet Your Inside Team, has significantly influenced how they each work with individuals. The concepts they teach through both CTI and CRR are deeply integrated into their client work—as well as into their own partnership.
www.linkedin.com/in/cynthia-loy-darst-teamdarst/
www.linkedin.com/in/david-darst-45149a309
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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Every business transformation begins with human transformation.
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a powerful conversation as we welcome Jenna Paterson, Talent Development leader at Equinix, to explore what conscious leadership really looks like in practice, especially in an era defined by AI acceleration and rapid change.
From a childhood shaped by bullying and resilience to leading groundbreaking leadership programs at Equinix, Jenna shares how her origin story became the foundation of her leadership philosophy. She takes us inside Ground Break, a transformational leadership experience built on the truth that systems change only when people change.
If you care about building human-centered organizations, cultivating conscious leaders, and strengthening culture from the inside out, this episode is for you.
In This Episode:
- Why right relationship starts with self-leadership
- How defining moments shape leadership identity
- Why emotional intelligence remains essential in an AI-driven workplace
- The connection between nervous systems and organizational culture
- The paradox leaders must hold in complex times
- Why transformation efforts fail when they ignore the human system
- The powerful ROI of psychological safety and presence
- Three essential questions every leader must ask themselves
About Jenna:
Jenna is a dedicated Talent Development professional based in the UK, currently shaping leadership development and cultural transformation at Equinix. With a rich background in learning and leadership development; spanning roles in digital infrastructure and luxury retail sectors, she brings both breadth and depth to her craft.
As a certified emotional intelligence practitioner, strengths coach and experienced facilitator, Jenna blends evidence-based frameworks with an empathetic, human-centred approach. She’s passionate about crafting immersive learning experiences, and brings a thoughtful, systems-oriented approach to development.
Her passion lies in cultivating inclusive, psychologically safe environments where people can grow, reflect, and develop conscious leadership.
Jenna believes leadership starts with self-leadership. By staying curious, practicing empathy, and showing up authentically, she builds meaningful relationships that create trust and unlock growth; for herself and those around her.
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenna-elizabeth-paterson-assoc-cipd-b1a78a54
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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What if the future of work depends less on technology and more on how much humanity we choose to preserve?
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome Marshall Belcher, Principal Strategist and AI Innovation Lead for Strategic Customer Engagement at a global tech company, for a thoughtful and timely conversation on leadership, right relationship, and artificial intelligence.
Marshall works at the forefront of artificial intelligence, supporting executive strategy and CEO-level engagements across some of the most influential organizations in Silicon Valley. With more than 30 years of experience across companies like Cisco, AT&T, and Prudential, he brings rare depth at the intersection of technology, leadership, and relationship intelligence.
But what makes this conversation especially powerful is Marshall’s commitment to service, care, and responsibility.
We’ll explore what it means to be in right relationship with technology as AI reshapes how we work, lead, and connect. Marshall shares why AI must be designed and implemented through intentional alliances, ethical frameworks, and human-centered systems that prioritize safety, dignity, and trust.
As we continue our exploration of right relationship, Marshall reminds us that the question is not whether AI will shape our future but how intentionally and relationally we choose to shape AI.
Together, we explore:
- AI as a tool to elevate human potential rather than replace it
- The importance of training, governance, and culture when embedding AI into workplaces
- Why relationship intelligence matters just as much as technical intelligence
- Leadership approaches that preserve humanity in high-performance environments
- Why right relationship requires putting service before metrics
- Friendship and genuine connection as strengths in leadership
- The risks of measuring success through individual performance alone
- Why AI must be approached with discernment, training, and humility
- How emotional intelligence and right relationships are essential for AI safety and alignment
- What it means to design alliances with technology rather than emotional attachments
*Disclaimer: What’s discussed in this episode are Marshall’s personal views and in no way represent Alphabet, Google.
About Marshall:
Marshall Belcher is a Principal Strategist and AI Innovation Lead for Strategic Customer Engagement at Google Cloud, where he drives executive AI strategy and supports CEO-level engagements for Alphabet’s largest customers in Silicon Valley. He designs and delivers strategy sessions, consultative workshops, speaking engagements, and advanced AI demonstrations inside Google Cloud’s flagship executive environment.
He is a Wharton CTO Program graduate, holds a Master’s in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Full Sail University, and earned his B.S. in Microbiology & Cell Science from the University of Florida.
Driven by a belief in AI’s power to elevate human potential, Marshall is a lifelong learner who loves to run, eat well, and explore the world.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbelcher/
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What if the most meaningful measure of leadership success is not speed or scale, but the quality of our relationships?
In this episode of The UpLevel Podcast, we are joined by Chang Zhang and Chishan Lin, leadership coaches, facilitators, and co-creators of Coaching With Your Whole Body. Together, we explore the practice of right relationship as a foundation for leadership, partnership, coaching, and sustainable impact.
Grounded in embodiment, mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and cross-cultural awareness, this conversation invites leaders to reconsider how presence, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness shape the way we work, relate, and lead. We explore what becomes possible when leadership is relational rather than positional and when success is measured by depth, steadiness, and connection.
This episode is part of The UpLevel Podcast’s ongoing Right Relationship series and reflects our growing engagement with leaders and organizations across the Asia Pacific region.
In this episode, we explore:
- What right relationship truly means and why it begins with self-awareness
- How nervous system regulation and mindfulness impact leadership and collaboration
- Why presence and relational depth may be a more meaningful measure of success than performance alone
- How to design conscious and healthy business partnerships rooted in trust and communication
- What leaders can learn about right relationship when working across cultures, particularly in Asia
- How introverts can honor their energy, boundaries, and strengths while leading effectively
- Why leadership is relational rather than positional, and how coaching skills support both
About Chang & Chishan:
Chang Zhang is a leadership coach, coaching supervisor, and faculty member with the Co-Active® Training Institute. Her work integrates embodiment, emotional intelligence, somatic awareness, and vertical development to help leaders and coaches navigate uncertainty with clarity, grounded presence, and courageous authenticity.
Known for her warmth, depth, and precision, Chang guides individuals and organizations in cultivating right relationship with self, others, and the systems they lead.
Website: https://www.introvertleaderawakening.com
Meet Chishan Lin; building on this shared commitment to embodiment and whole-person development, Chishan partners with Chang as co-creator and co-facilitator of the Coaching with Your Whole Body Retreats, bringing her global, artistic, and cross-cultural lens to the work.
Chishan is an executive coach, leadership strategist, and global facilitator with more than two decades of experience supporting leaders across the world. Having lived and worked in countries across many continents—including Taiwan, the U.S., India, Brazil, Myanmar, China, and Japan—she understands the real pressures, cultural complexities, and nuanced dynamics senior leaders face in global environments.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chishan-lin/
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Before you rush into a new year, pause. There is another way to begin.
As we step into a new calendar year, we continue to pull on the thread of Right Relationship because it still has so much to teach us. To help us cross this threshold with intention, curiosity, and care, the luminous Teagan West joins us in this week's episode of The UpLevel Podcast.
Teagan is a ritualist, astrologer, mentor, artist, and ancestral healing practitioner living on Haudenosaunee Land, home of the Seneca Nation. Her work lives at the intersection of ancestral reconnection, cultural repair, astrological storytelling, and community ritual. She reminds us that our relationship with the Earth, the sky, our ancestors, and one another is not symbolic. It is alive.
In this conversation, we explore how astrology can support us in becoming more right-sized within the greater ecosystem of life, especially as we enter a year marked by transition and possibility. May this conversation help you step into 2026 with clarity, courage, and care for all your relations.
In this episode, we explore:
- What it means to step out of hyper-individualism and into reciprocal relationships with nature, community, ancestors, and unseen forces
- Insights into the shift from Earth and Water elements toward Air and Fire, signaling movement, reimagining, and transformation.
- How to align personal and professional growth with natural rhythms instead of forcing progress according to cultural timelines
- Using astrology not as prediction, but as a tool for reflection, nervous system regulation, and asking better questions about how we live and lead
- From skepticism in New York’s fashion world to a vocation rooted in ancestral healing and astrological wisdom, Teagan shares how listening deeply changed her path
About Teagan:
Teagan West (she/they) is a Ritualist, Astrologer, Mentor, Artist & Ancestral Healing Practitioner from Haudenosaunee (HOH-den-uh-SHOW-nee) Land, home of the Seneca Nation. Her work exists at the intersection of Ancestral Reconnection, Cultural Repair, Astrological Storytelling, and Community Ritual. Teagan is passionate about recovering Animist ways of relating to Earth + Sky as a vital form of decolonial remembrance, reweaving our collective cosmologies through communal vision.
Teagan devotes much of her personal time to teaching, lineage stewardship + animist ceremony in her community. She creates ritual tools such as Drums, Rattles, and Ceramic Altar Vessels as a form of embodied Ancestral remembrance. She offers Astrological Readings, Mentorship, and guides Ancestral Lineage Healing in both 1:1 and group spaces. Her Substack is home to weekly readings, teachings + storytelling!
Website: thealtarhealing.com
Substack: Altar of Stars https://altarofstars.substack.com/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with Holly Zabka, president of Provident Entertainment and one of the most heart-centered leaders shaping the music industry today. Holly carries a rare combination of strength, vulnerability, and grounded faith that shows us what leadership can look like when it grows from purpose instead of pressure.
From her childhood singing gospel harmonies with her family to stewarding more than 70 number one songs at Provident, Holly’s journey is rooted in grit, grace, and the courage to stay in right relationship with herself, with others, and with something greater.
This conversation invites you to lead with more heart, more honesty, and more humanity. May Holly’s wisdom meet you exactly where you are and remind you that you never have to lead alone.
In This Episode:
- Discover how isolation impacts female executives and why representation matters
- Learn about balancing conflict and resolution to foster authentic connections
- Embrace self-reflection to counter inner critics for healthier interactions
- Navigate dual roles as a leader and family member without compromising either
- See how faith anchors decisions, guiding values towards purpose-driven actions
- Understand why admitting mistakes fosters an accountable team culture
- Explore holistic engagement where personal life enriches professional efficacy
- The importance of recognizing inner voices and choosing which ones get the mic
About Holly:
Holly Zabka currently serves as President of Provident Entertainment. A 17-year veteran of Provident, Holly brings decades of experience in leadership roles across the music industry on both the publishing and creative sides of the business. Before assuming her role as President, she most recently served as Senior Vice President, Essential Music Publishing (EMP) and Head of Creative for Provident Label Group (PLG), where she was responsible for signing and partnering with top songwriters across the industry and oversaw creative endeavors and new content development.
In Holly’s Zabka's tenure, the company has had more than 70 No. 1 songs and has partnered with top artists and songwriters such as Jason Ingram, Ethan Hulse, Brandon Lake, Elevation Worship, Seph Schlueter, Zach Williams, CAIN, Ben Fuller, Matt Maher, Mia Fieldes, Jonathan Smith, Red Rocks Worship and more.
Holly grew up traveling and singing gospel music with her family. After graduating from Southwest Missouri State University, she moved to Nashville, where her first job in the music business was as Membership Director of the GMA. She began her career in publishing at Brentwood-Benson, representing the songs of her mom, Sue C. Smith, as well as Joel Lindsey, Tony Wood, Belinda Smith, Dave Clark, and others.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hzabka/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a deeply human conversation as we sit down with Sonia Kreitzer, singer, songwriter, sound healer, and the creative force behind Doe Paoro. With over 40 million global streams, tours with artists like the Gypsy Kings and KT Tunstall, and music featured across film, TV, and international radio, Sonia brings artistry and profound devotion to healing, earth connection, and the reclamation of the human voice.
Sonia’s work is rooted in decades of study with indigenous music and medicine carriers from the Shipibo-Conibo of Peru to the Noke Koi of Brazil to her training in Tibetan opera. She teaches that music is a technology of harmony and that sound is one of our most powerful tools for repair, reconnection, and awakening consciousness.
This episode offers an intimate look at how our voices, individually and collectively, can support us through a time of collapse, leadership transition, cultural change, and spiritual reorientation.
In This Episode:
- Why Sonia teaches that your truest voice begins in the body, not the mind
- How empowered environments transform teams, communities, and the stories we tell about ourselves
- Exploring the grief, gratitude, and potency of remembering where we come from
- A journey into sensing, feeling, and expressing from the truth beneath imitation
- Creating spaces where every voice is honored and where leadership becomes a shared practice
- How understanding ancestry dissolves generational silence and awakens authentic expression
- Simple practices, like humming and singing, that ground the body, open the heart, and reawaken vitality
- Using music to grieve what’s ending while birthing what’s possible in challenging times
- Finding aliveness in the dance between endings, renewals, and the spaces in between
- How “sonic acupuncture” dissolves emotional blockages and sparks transformation
- Grounding techniques that build resilience, presence, and community strength
Upcoming Experience: Activating the Voice RetreatCosta Rica • December 27 – January 3
A transformative week-long immersion (limited spots).Register here.
About Sonia:
Sonia Kreitzer is a singer, songwriter, and sound healer who released music as “Doe Paoro.” Her music has over 40 million streams worldwide and has been featured in film, television and radio internationally. She has toured with artists like The Gipsy Kings and KT Tunstall, and her work is informed by her deep care for the earth and her belief that music can support healing and awaken consciousness. She sees music as technology of harmony and her perspective is shaped by her decades-long studies with indigenous music and medicine carriers, specifically the Shipibo-Conibo people of Peru, the Noke Koi of Brazil and studying Tibetan opera singing. She is the creator of Activating the Voice, an online course and in-person retreat series that seeks to support groups in expressing what has been historically silenced through the joy of singing.
Website: www.doepaoro.com
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a transformative episode as we welcome Marita Fridjhon, Co-Founder and CEO of CRR Global and one of the original architects of Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI), a framework that has reshaped how leaders, teams, and organizations across the globe connect, collaborate, and evolve.
For over two decades, Marita has guided leaders from Google, NASA, UNICEF, and Harvard to access the collective wisdom of their systems, showing that leadership doesn’t live in individuals but in the spaces between us.
Born and raised in apartheid-era South Africa, Marita’s early experiences with injustice sparked a lifelong dedication to creating connection where there is conflict and community where there is fragmentation.
We’ll explore what it truly means to live and lead in right relationship with our teams, our partners, our communities, and the wider web of life itself.
In This Episode:
- A practice rooted in the wisdom of “all our relations,” reminding us that leadership is relational, not transactional
- Why organizations thrive when leaders slow down, listen deeply, and invite every voice, including the unseen
- How emotional intelligence expands when we honor the whole system, not just the parts
- Lessons from love, loss, and leaning into another’s journey without trying to fix it
- How recognizing even small wins replenishes teams, families, and movements alike
About Marita:
Marita Fridjhon is the co-founder of CRR Global and a guiding force behind the field of Relationship Systems Work. As co-creator of the world-renowned Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC™) program, she has trained thousands of coaches, leaders, and teams to unlock the power of systems-inspired evolution, where leadership lives not in individuals, but in the collective.
A native of South Africa, Marita’s early experiences with social injustice shaped her lifelong belief that change begins through connection. Her pioneering concept of Relationship Systems Intelligence (RSI™) reframes leadership as a shared, living process, one that honors every voice and draws wisdom from the whole.
Today, Marita continues to mentor a global community of practitioners and organizations, from Google and NASA to UNICEF and Harvard, helping them listen deeply, lead collaboratively, and co-create transformation from within the system itself.
Substack: https://systemsinspiredevolution.substack.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maritafridjhon/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maritafridjhon/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome Dr. Daniel Foor, a psychologist, an experienced ritualist, and the author of Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing. From ancestral lineage healing and animism to decolonial leadership and ethical business, this dialogue bridges spirituality, psychology, and justice in profoundly human ways, guiding people into right relationship with their ancestors, the land, and the unseen world.
Daniel invites us to rethink what power, belonging, and leadership look like, moving beyond hierarchy and domination toward connection, reciprocity, and care.
In This Episode:
- Why “human supremacy” may be limiting your worldview and how animism opens new doors for connection that honors all beings as persons worthy of respect
- How ancestral lineage healing can resolve deep-seated personal and systemic trauma
- Shifting from achievement-based leadership to relational power grounded in care and community
- Understanding the impact of colonization, capitalism, and disconnection and how reweaving ancestral ties can restore balance
- Practical wisdom for leaders: building ethical organizations that prioritize service over profit
- A powerful redefinition of success: why becoming a “regular person” might be the ultimate KPI for growth
- Why humility, not grandeur, is the true revolution in healing and leadership
About Daniel:
Daniel is a doctor of psychology, an experienced ritualist, and the author of Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing. He is an initiate in the Òrìṣà tradition of Yoruba-speaking West Africa and has learned from teachers of Mahayana Buddhism, Islamic Sufism, and the older ways of his English and German ancestors. Daniel is passionate about training aspiring leaders and change makers in the intersections of cultural healing, animist ethics, and applied ritual arts. He lives with his wife and two daughters near Granada, Spain, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Website: http://ancestralmedicine.org
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielfoor/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-foor-0a109418/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a deeply insightful conversation with Shannon Murfree, Senior Manager of Global Executive Talent Acquisition at Equinix, to explore what it truly means to lead and live in Right Relationship.
With over 13,000 employees powering the digital infrastructure behind giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, Equinix thrives on more than just innovation; it thrives on human connection. And Shannon is one of the leaders ensuring that the heartbeat of humanity continues to pulse through a fast-paced, global organization.
We’ll explore what “right relationship” looks like in leadership, hiring, and life, from embracing ancestral wisdom to fostering psychological safety at work. Shannon’s reflections remind us that being human-centered is a practice, one that can transform organizations from the inside out. Listen now!
In this conversation, you’ll discover:
- How “right relationship” creates harmony across people, teams, and nature
- The R.O.I. of empathy, transparency, and trust in leadership and recruitment
- Why coaching and vulnerability are essential in high-performance cultures
- How ancestry and community can become sources of wisdom and resilience
- Practical steps to cultivate psychological safety and connection in your own team
About Shannon:
Shannon Murfree is a Senior Manager of Global Executive Talent Acquisition at Equinix, known for her thoughtful approach to leadership and her deep commitment to cultivating authentic relationships across all levels of an organization. With a career rooted in connecting people to purpose, Shannon brings a unique lens to executive hiring—one that honors both strategic impact and personal alignment. Her work spans global initiatives, coaching programs, and storytelling efforts that elevate the human side of leadership.
Equinix, with over 13,000 employees worldwide, powers the digital backbone for companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft. Ensuring human-centered leaders inside organizations like Equinix matters deeply—because the way they lead directly impacts the infrastructure that connects our global economy.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonmurfree/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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What if movement wasn’t just something we did for exercise but was a gateway into deeper healing, transformation, and leadership?
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome Tasha Blank, an international DJ, somatic practitioner, teacher, and founder of The Get Down, Drop Body Language, and the global leadership academy Powerhouse DJ School (PhDJ). Known for liberating hips and hearts everywhere from NYC’s most legendary clubs to festivals, churches, museums, forests, and even roving desert ships, Tasha is a true pioneer of movement as medicine.
Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or simply curious about the role of movement in healing and transformation, this episode is an invitation into deeper listening, embodied leadership, and your most powerful self-expression. Listen in and be inspired to move differently, inside and out.
In This Episode:
- Tasha’s nervous system-based approach to unlocking powerful expression and healing
- How dance restores connection across individuals, teams, communities, and ecosystems
- Tasha’s story of how the dance found her and her brilliance behind the decks
- Practical insights into listening deeply to spaces and curating experiences that invite transformation
- The blend of somatics, shadow work, and ceremony in embodying our fullest
About Tasha:
Tasha Blank is a celebrated international DJ, somatic practitioner, teacher and founder of The Get Down, The Drop, Body Language, and global leadership academy Powerhouse DJ School (PhDJ).
A student of somatic healing, shadow work, story, and ceremony, her nervous system-based approach to transformation through movement is a wild invitation into your most powerful expression.
She’s known for liberating hips in New York City’s most legendary clubs, the world’s wildest festivals, and museums, churches, helipads, boats, roving desert ships, forests, and mountaintops everywhere.
Website: https://www.tashablank.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashablank/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/tashablank
PhDJ: https://www.phdj.dance/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts! https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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What happens when we have all of the most amazing people working together in the same direction? ANYTHING! Talk about impact abundance!
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a tender, fiery, joyful, and profoundly real conversation with Kvon and Jessica Tucker, a husband-and-wife team embodying conscious leadership, healing, and partnership.
Kvon, CEO and co-founder of Consciously, brings experience from Netflix, Amazon, and a big tech company into his executive coaching, guiding organizations through conscious transformation. Jessica, an LCSW, trauma specialist, and EMDR practitioner, helps leaders navigate trauma, relationships, and spirituality with compassion and directness.
Together, they are raising their daughter in Costa Rica while building Consciously, a community-based corporation devoted to liberation through love.
In This Episode:
- The meaning of conscious partnership and right relationship in work, love, and family
- How past traumas and ancestral stories shape our leadership and identities
- Building organizations centered on healing, humanity, and liberation
- The real, messy, and beautiful dynamics of leading, parenting, and creating together
Kvon and Jessica remind us that leadership is not separate from life, love, or healing; it’s all connected. Their story is a call to embody right relationship not only in organizations but also in the most intimate corners of our lives.
About Kvon & Jess:
Kvon and Jessica Tucker are a husband-and-wife team committed to conscious leadership and healing. Kvon, CEO & Co-Founder of Consciously, brings his experience from Netflix, Amazon, and Google to his coaching of executives as he supports organizations through the process of co-creating conscious change and transformation. Jessica, LCSW & Co-Founder of Consciously, is a trauma specialist and EMDR practitioner whose compassionate yet direct approach supports leaders in navigating trauma, relationships, and spirituality. She invites clients to dive deep into the heart, cultivating resilience, self-compassion, and empowerment. Together, Kvon and Jessica embody conscious partnership & right relationship, raising their daughter in Costa Rica, while building Consciously, a community-based corporation centered leading liberation with love.
Website: https://www.consciously.one/
Join The Collective: https://www.consciously.one/join-the-collective
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/consciously-llc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consciouslyone
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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What if life itself is a school of love?
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome Britta Eskey, author of Initiations in Love, co-founder of COR, and certified compassion cultivation teacher at Stanford. For over 25 years, Britta has guided individuals and communities through transformational work that reconnects us with our essential goodness and deepest values.
Britta shares how love, beyond romance, becomes the foundation for true leadership, community, and right relationship with self, others, and the world. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that leadership and love are not separate paths; they are one.
In This Episode:
- What it means to see life as a school of love
- How Britta’s stoic German upbringing led to mystical experiences that shaped her faith in love
- How right relationship shows up in work, family, nature, and self
- The role of compassion and courage in leadership: vulnerability is key
- Why transformation often begins with surrender
- Discover how Britta’s workshops help people heal core wounds and find deeper integration between masculine and feminine energies
- Why falling in love might just be projection… but staying in love is discovery
- Why ceremony, community support, and initiation are essential for growth (and often missing today)
About Britta:
Britta Eskey is the author of Initiations in Love, a spiritual memoir that explores transformation through life’s sacred rites of passage, and the host of the Initiations in Love podcast. She co-founded COR (Latin for “Heart”), a personal growth organization that has been serving individuals and communities for over 25 years. COR offers transformational workshops, leadership trainings, and coaching programs — both in-person and online—that help people reconnect with their essential goodness and live from their deepest values. Its mission is to empower people to become skillful, embodied leaders who can compassionately guide others while living with courage, clarity, and heart. Britta is a certified Compassion Cultivation Teacher, and one of the developers and instructors of the Cultivating the Heart course at Stanford University’s CCARE.
Visit COR's website to see their Free Intro Calls
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, let’s hear it from Kiran Chitluri, a seasoned coach with 25 years of experience as a software engineer and manager whose leadership work bridges technology and humanity. Kiran has guided leaders and teams at some of the world’s most innovative companies, creating spaces where vulnerability, authenticity, and connection fuel results.
Kiran shares his unique perspective on right relationship, what it means in leadership, team culture, technology, and even parenting. Drawing from decades inside high-pressure tech environments, he offers grounded insights on how leaders can cultivate trust, build cohesion, and balance high performance with deep connection.
In This Episode:
- How “right relationship” looks in different contexts: self, family, colleagues, community, and technology
- Why vulnerability accelerates trust and strengthens team bonds
- Coaching skills that shift leaders from “fixing problems” to amplifying strengths
- How team-designed alliances transform collaboration
- Practical ways to humanize tech environments without sacrificing results
- How parenting can mirror leadership growth and self-awareness
- Intentional technology habits that preserve energy and focus
About Kiran:
Kiran is a seasoned coach with 25 years’ experience as a software engineer and manager—uniquely positioned to empower leaders and teams in the tech world. Drawing on decades of hands-on industry experience, he helps individuals transform challenges into opportunities by uncovering their innate strengths and refining their leadership styles.
Known for his deep empathy, strategic insight, and commitment to genuine connection, Kiran’s sessions are more than conversations—they’re transformative experiences. His ability to create safe spaces for vulnerability and candid discussion has earned praise from top-tier companies. One engineering manager credited Kiran with helping them “find my center” and pivot into a new role, while product leaders have called his sessions “priceless” for igniting team cohesion.
From CliftonStrengths workshops to strategic planning and team values sessions, his work consistently leads to greater productivity, renewed confidence, and stronger, more aligned teams.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiranchitluri/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chitluripix/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chitluri
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts!
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a soul-nourishing episode featuring transformational guide and bridge keeper Karina Turtzo, a woman walking the path of collective liberation through ancestral healing, indigenous wisdom, and regenerative leadership.
Karina shares how “right relationship” is a lived practice that begins with intention, respect, and deep listening. From decolonized leadership to sacred ceremony, this conversation is rich with teachings on how to reconnect with land, lineage, and one another in ways that are generative, not extractive.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- Why honoring the land and its original stewards is foundational for real healing
- The epidemic of loneliness & disconnection: how losing touch with ancestry and place feeds today’s “polycrisis”
- What “right relationship” really means and why it calls us into rigorous practice, not perfection
- How ancestral wisdom is alive in your DNA…waiting to be remembered
- Decolonizing plant medicine & wellness spaces; moving beyond commodification toward authentic community care
- Leadership reimagined: From extraction to reciprocity and from hierarchy to circles of trust
About Karina:
Karina Turtzo is dedicated to the journey of collective liberation through the practice and remembrance of ancestral healing arts that center ceremonial practices and earth medicines. She designs and facilitates decolonized curriculums that intentionally entangle us with the Earth and help us awaken and activate to our genetic memory and wisdom. As a bridgekeeper and student of indigenous wisdom teachers, she serves her community as a certified holistic health, transformation, and integration guide and facilitator focusing on nurturing regenerative relationships and fostering culture shifts and systems change for a more harmonious world.
With a rich tapestry of cultural heritage that includes Taino, Afro-Caribbean, Spanish, French, and Ecuadorian lineages, Karina embodies a beautiful fusion of traditions and histories, celebrating the strength and resilience of her ancestors. She is the founder of the wellness platform Sovereign by Nature, non-profit The ARC and healing container for women The Sacred Session.
Karina creates applied spaces from a place of non-judgement, respect and compassion and care. She creates containers where the collective can shed, remember, integrate, and grow. She believes that through generative relating, devotion, and conscious action we can come into right relationship with ourselves, the collective and our great mother Earth.
Reach Karina: karina@sovereignxnature.com
Instagram Handles:
https://www.instagram.com/karinaturtzo/
https://www.instagram.com/sovereignxnature/
https://www.instagram.com/thesacredsession/
Websites:
https://www.sovereignxnature.com/
https://www.thesacredsession.com/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts!
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If you’re ready to rethink what’s possible for yourself, your team, or your organization, this episode will ignite something in you.
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with Sydney Gerbracht, transformational coach, leadership consultant, and visionary founder of Syd Speaks.
From her days as an elite NCAA Division 1 athlete to her extraordinary impact at lululemon (where she helped drive over $75 million in results), Sydney has always been a catalyst for change.
Sydney doesn’t just talk about leadership; she lives it. She’s unflinchingly honest about her wins and failures, her blind spots, and her breakthroughs. Listen now!
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- How right relationship shapes high-performing teams
- Why feedback is the new frontier of conscious leadership
- The art of self-trust and courageous communication
- What happens when you challenge outdated leadership paradigms
- The intersection of sports, business, and personal growth
- Why conflict is not the enemy
- Culture is created by what you tolerate
- Leadership stories from lululemon
- Building psychological safety on teams
- The above/below-the-line model
About Syd:
Syd Gerbracht is a transformational coach, leadership consultant, and founder of SYD SPEAKS™ — a leadership movement focused on courageous feedback, conscious communication, and self-trust. She helps leaders turn discomfort into transformation and build cultures that thrive from the inside out.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/syd.speaks/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sydney-gerbracht-b41a8a91
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sydspeaks.co
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
🎉 It was also ranked #4 among the top 50 Best Workplace Mental Health Podcasts!
https://podcast.feedspot.com/workplace_mental_health_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we have the honor of sitting with Kumu Ramsay Taum, a revered Hawaiian elder and master teacher whose work bridges ancient wisdom with modern leadership.
Recognized by the University of Hawai‘i as a Star of Oceania, Kumu’s teachings have transformed countless lives by reconnecting people to spirit, community, and purpose.
If you’re longing for a more rooted, conscious way to lead and live, this conversation will feel like coming home.
In this episode, we’ll explore:
- What it means to be in right relationship with ourselves, each other, and the world around us
- How redefining success can restore balance and harmony in our organizations and lives
- Why daily acts of alignment and integrity matter more than grand gestures
- The power of leading from humility, service, and the wisdom passed down by elders
- How small practices can spark profound change, and why returning to aloha can help heal what feels fractured in our culture today
UPCOMING EVENT:
July 25-27 Ho’oponopono and Lua retreat in California.
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Use the code "Renew" to save $100. The code is good until July 10th.
About Ramsay Taum:
Mentored by revered kūpuna (elders), Kumu Ramsay Taum is a respected teacher and guide in the realms of Ho‘oponopono (reconciliation & conflict resolution), Lomi Haha (body alignment & energy work), and Kaihewalu Lua (Hawaiian warrior arts).
His teachings bridge the ancient and the modern, offering a practical path to balance, clarity, and leadership. The University of Hawaii recognized Kumu Ramsay as a Star of Oceania for his contributions to cultural awareness. He has guided leaders, organizations, and individuals toward a more rooted, harmonious way of living.
His work integrates Hawaiian spirituality, warrior principles, and the Way of Aloha—a path of deep connection, responsibility, and right relations. Those who study with him often experience profound shifts in their sense of purpose, relationships, and inner alignment.
Website: http://www.ramsaytaum.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KumuRamsay/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramsaytaum
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramsaytaum
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We flip the script in this milestone 100th episode of The UpLevel Podcast. Our Co-Founder, Rachel Baldi, steps into the interviewer’s seat to have a heartfelt, honest conversation with Christie Mann, best-selling author, executive coach, and Co-Founder & CEO of UpLevel.
Together, they explore the evolving concept of Right Relationship: how it shows up in our leadership, our lives, and our longing to live in integrity with ourselves, each other, and the world.
This conversation is a powerful reminder that transformation starts with radical self-awareness and continues through conscious connection and courageous action.
In This Episode:
- The difference between being “in” right relationship and returning to it
- How conscious conflict can restore trust and clarity
- Personal stories from Christie’s own growth journey
- Lessons from indigenous wisdom and leadership models
- Why R.O.I. should include emotional nourishment and integrity
- A look back at favorite past episodes that modeled a brave connection
🎧 Tune in to celebrate our 100th episode and walk with us toward a more connected and compassionate way of being.
About Christie:
Christie is a best-selling author, certified executive coach (CPCC, PCC), and the Co-Founder and CEO of UpLevel Productions—a global leader in leadership transformation. She’s the host of The UpLevel Podcast, consistently ranked among the Top 10 Coaching Culture podcasts worldwide. Driven by a deep commitment to fostering a more conscious, compassionate, and humane world, Christie is a visionary who empowers leaders and organizations to unlock their full potential and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Website: https://www.christiemann.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiemann/
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/christiemann1/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome transformational coach, certified grief educator, and the founder of the Care Box Network and creator of the A.R.I.S.E. Collective, Njeri Njuhigu, a woman whose wisdom is born of deep experience. With her background in spiritual psychology and as a caregiver for her parents for over 13 years, she is now a guide for countless others navigating loss and major life transitions. Njeri offers a rare and nuanced voice on what it means to show up with presence, power, and purpose, even in the face of profound grief.
Whether you support others or are walking through your own season of loss, this conversation will meet you with care and courage.
In This Episode:
- How to be in right relationship with caregiving
- Redefine what it means to grieve with grace
- Why grief extends far beyond death and how to honor all forms of loss
- The essential power of storytelling and spiritual psychology in the healing process
- Why self-care is mission-critical for caregivers and leaders alike
- Practical pathways to emotional freedom, clarity, and lasting joy
- Reconnect with ourselves and our purpose through loss
- Personal rituals that help us honor transitions
- How to advocate for loved ones within broken systems
About Njeri:
Njeri Njuhigu (JERRY JEW-HIG-GU) is a transformational coach, certified grief educator, and the founder of The CareBox Network (www.thecareboxnetwork.org) and Live Nlight (www.livenlight.com ), a division of Nlight Entertainment. With a Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology and over two decades of experience in storytelling as a Hollywood writer and producer, Njeri uniquely blends compassionate care with insightful understanding of the human experience. Her journey as a dedicated caregiver for her parents over the course of over thirteen years deepened her commitment to supporting individuals navigating profound loss and life transitions.
Through her innovative programs, including the A.R.I.S.E. Collective—a holistic mind-body-spirit renewal course—and impactful masterclasses, Njeri empowers high-achieving professionals to move beyond the overwhelm of living loss and grief towards emotional freedom, renewed purpose, and lasting joy. Her gentle yet powerful approach has inspired countless individuals to reclaim their lives with confidence and clarity.
Passionate about advocating for caregivers and grief survivors, Njeri continues to offer transformative experiences that guide others from surviving grief to thriving in grace.
Website: www.livenlight.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livenlighttoday
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livenlighttoday/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567524810333
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livenlighttoday
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspo
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with Jocelyn Pepe, author of Claim Your Brain, and founder of TrU. We have a rich and powerful conversation about what it means to be in right relationship with our mental health.
As a leader, coach, and advocate, Jocelyn is reshaping how we think about mental well-being in the workplace and beyond. She weaves science, soul, and lived experience into a transformative body of work that supports leaders, teams, and individuals in reclaiming their mental resilience.
With a Master’s in the Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health and a decade-long journey of personal healing, including recovery from a major brain injury. Jocelyn brings wisdom, humility, and fierce advocacy to this dialogue.
Tune in now, and remember to pre-order Jocelyn’s book, Claim Your Brain, a true guide for those ready to lead, live, and love with intention.
In This Episode, We Explore:
- How right relationship applies to mental health, personally, professionally, and collectively.
- Jocelyn’s path of healing from childhood trauma to leadership in the well-being space.
- The science-meets-soul approach of Claim Your Brain.
- Mental health as a foundation for sustainable leadership and impact.
- Navigating life transitions, family dynamics, and business with authenticity and grace.
- Why mental health is everyone’s responsibility—and how we can each be better stewards of our own well-being.
About Jocelyn:
Jocelyn Pepe is the author of Claim Your Brain, an insightful exploration of where science and soul meet in the world of mental health. As the founder of TrU, she fuses research, lived experience, and deep coaching to strengthen the mental health and well-being of leaders and teams, elevating optimal impact and performance. Jocelyn holds a master’s degree in the psychology and neuroscience of mental health and multiple coaching designations in both health and performance. She is reshaping the future of how we care for mental health, in and beyond the workplace.
Website: https://truliving.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truliving.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-pepe/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/truliving/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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In celebration of the 2025 International Coaching Week, we’re proud to share a deeply grounding and expansive episode of The UpLevel Podcast featuring five extraordinary elders: Eileen Blumenthal, Hide Enomoto, Hope Langner, John Vercelli, and Lorry Schneider.
For the fourth year in a row, we’re honoring elderhood, an often overlooked role in modern society, and exploring how it deeply informs our understanding of right relationship in coaching, leadership, and life.
Whether you're a coach, a business leader, or simply someone navigating life with intention, this conversation will root you in the power of presence, mutuality, and honoring those who came before.
Listen in, feel nourished, and remember, the wisdom is in the circle!
In this Episode:
- What elderhood really means and how it’s embodied with humility, wisdom, and love
- Right relationship is a practice of reciprocity, presence, and legacy
- Why lifelong learning is a hallmark of those who walk the path of the elder
- The fine line between offering insight and holding space and the dance of asking vs. telling in coaching
- How elderhood can be a radical act of stewardship in a fast-moving world
- Reflections on Co-Active principles, conscious leadership, and collective wisdom from decades of coaching
Panel:
Eileen Blumenthal, CPCC, PCC, JD
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-blumenthal
Hide Enomoto
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yokuikiru.jp
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hide-enomoto-6a23017
Hope Langner, MS, CPCC, MCC
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hopelan
John Vercelli
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-vercelli-4373282/
Lorry Schneider
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lorry-schneider-9390921
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome the extraordinary Julie Barker-Merz, Regional President of BMO Bank of Montreal for Greater Toronto. A visionary leader with a bold heart, Julie is known for breaking new ground in corporate leadership and uplifting women across business, sport, and community. Julie shares deeply personal insights on how to lead with heart while holding big responsibility. From her signature “four-legged stool” principle of balance to her unwavering belief that difference is power, Julie brings inspiration, wisdom, and courage to the conversation.
In This Episode:
- What it means to be in right relationship with yourself, in your leadership, your health, your home, and your heart
- The power of leading from authenticity, clarity, and shared values, and how that shifts culture from the inside out
- Small “c” vs. Big “C” coaching, and why that distinction matters for creating real transformation in people and teams
- How choosing curiosity over control opens doors to growth, connection, and possibility
- Why difference is power, and how Julie leans into discomfort with openness, not resistance
- The role of failure, feedback, and fortitude in shaping resilient, conscious leadership
- Julie’s guiding principle of the “four-legged stool,” and how she uses it to stay grounded across every area of life.
- From marathon training to scrapbooking retreats, how she protects her energy and recharges with intention.
- Integration over isolation, why weaving together fitness, friendship, and family creates more sustainable success
- Curiosity in conflict, how asking instead of assuming can turn tension into trust
- The power of finding your people, and why women thrive in communities built on support, not competition
Bio:
Julie Barker-Merz is the Regional President, BMO Bank of Montreal, for Greater Toronto, where she leads a team of personal banking professionals across 9 markets and 170 branches. She is a board member of Tree Canada, past-Chair of the Accelerator Centre in Waterloo, and the former Director and Treasurer of the Canadian Women’s Hockey League. She is a long-standing and strong supporter of women in business, sport, and the community and a 2015 recipient of The International Alliance of Women’s (TIAW) Top 100 World of Difference awards, as well as one of Canada’s Top 50 to watch in Wealth Management in 2016 during her time as President of BMO InvestorLine. And in 2018, she was awarded Ontario’s Leading Women, Building Communities Award of Excellence, and in 2023, the WXN DEI Award for her role on Corporate Boards.
Throughout her 25+ year career with BMO Financial Group, Julie has earned the reputation of being a leader who executes with pace, courage, and excellence, inspiring multi-disciplinary teams to come together towards a common vision. Julie received her undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa, her Fellow from the Institute of Canadian Bankers, and her MBA from Dalhousie University.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-barker-merz-9206a418/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!!
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Have you forgotten how to play?
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a deeply grounding and inspiring conversation as we sit down with Jennifer Leigh Smith, J.D., affectionately known as Tree Jenny. She is an environmental lawyer, regenerative leader, certified carbon auditor, and heart-centered activist. From growing up on a sustainable farm in Louisiana to planting over 620,000 biodiverse trees across Central America and Kenya, Tree Jenny shares how she’s built a life rooted in service, reverence, and radical joy.
We explore what it means to be in right relationship with Earth, with one another, and with our inner child. Whether she’s leading carbon-offset reforestation initiatives or guiding eco-tourism adventures that reconnect people to awe and wonder, Jenny is here to remind us that healing the planet begins with remembering who we truly are.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why fair pay for tree planters near the equator matters more than you think
- The power of childlike wonder and play in environmental justice
- How Tree Jenny created a community-powered reforestation movement
- Why being in right relationship includes self-care, purpose, and collective healing
- How YOU can participate in regenerating Earth, one tree at a time
About Tree Jenny:
Jennifer Leigh Smith, J.D. President and Founder grew up on a sustainable farm in Louisiana playing in the woods and bayous, marveling at the nature all around her. “Tree Jenny” was named by the kids participating in Association Community Carbon Trees (ACCT) education programs over 15 years ago. She is an environmental Lawyer, Agro-forester, and Certified Carbon Auditor. She is a dedicated Yoguini, musician, dancer, and artist who believes in the miraculous power of creation culture.
Jenny is a revolutionary environmental activist who champions fair pay for tree planters around the world, especially near the Equator where trees generously give us compounded benefits. The ACCT community reforestation programs empower vulnerable families by including women in the center of the work in both Central America and Kenya, Africa. Jenny and her teams of Super Tree Friends have produced, planted, and maintained long-term more than 620,000 biodiverse trees so far, over 100 different native fruit, lumber, and animal fodder species.
Website: https://www.communitycarbontrees.org/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, our two extraordinary guests, Abigail and Clive Prout, take us deep into the concept of Right Relationship—the art of maintaining true connection, reciprocity, and presence in our partnerships, leadership, and self-growth. With over 50 years of combined coaching experience, Abigail and Clive have dedicated their lives to fostering conscious connection—both in their own relationship and in the lives of their clients.
From navigating intimate partnerships and parenting to exploring altered states of consciousness through meditation, breathwork, poetry, ecstatic dance, shamanic practices, and plant medicine—this conversation is a journey in itself.
In This Episode:
- The Reciprocity Loop: Abigail & Clive share a vision of right relationship as an interconnected flow of mutual benefit, growth, and evolution.
- Marriage & Self-Work: A raw, real look at how prioritizing personal growth over fixing each other creates deeper intimacy.
- Coaching vs. Personal Challenges: Even as masterful coaches, Clive & Abigail navigate the delicate dance of awareness, vulnerability, and imperfection.
- Plant Medicine & Spiritual Awakening: From shamanic journeys to retreats in Costa Rica, they reveal how plant medicine has deepened their connection to life force energy.
- Culture, Consciousness & Community: How shared spiritual experiences can bridge divisions, deepen understanding, and transform society.
About Abigail & Clive:
Abigail and Clive Prout work with people who are shifting their focus away from the pursuit of yet more material success to a deepening of meaning, connection, and magic; a more spiritual sense of self. They are both Certified Professional Co-Active coaches and faculty for The Co-Active Training Institute, with a combined 50 years of professional coaching experience. They live on Lopez Island, in Washington state, USA where they have cultivated a nurturing community and are raising two teenagers.
Upon this relational foundation, they have expanded their exploration (and work with clients) into altered states of consciousness, such as those accessible through meditation, breathwork, poetry, ecstatic dance, shamanic practices, and plant medicine.
They support continued healing, exploration, and integration of what it means to be awake and in service.
Website:
https://www.abigailprout.com
spiral-leadership.com
Socials:
linkedin.com/in/coach-writer-abigail-morgan-prout
linkedin.com/in/cliveprout
https://www.instagram.com/abigail_morgan_prout
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with Kale Ka’alekahi, a spiritual activist, cultural innovator, and lineage carrier for indigenous traditions. He shares powerful wisdom on how ceremony, ritual, and men’s work can help us restore right relationship with ourselves, our communities, and the land. Kale brings a unique perspective shaped by deep ancestral knowledge and lived experience, offering insights that feel like medicine for these times. Listen now!
In this episode, we explore:
- The Power of Ceremony: Why rituals are more than tradition; they’re medicine for a disconnected world
- Bringing the Sacred Into Everyday Life: Simple, practical ways to create meaning and connection, no matter how busy life gets
- Men’s Work & Collective Healing: Why now, more than ever, men are being called to step into deeper self-awareness, responsibility, and purpose
- Rebuilding Community: What it really means to live in “right relationship” and why it’s essential for a thriving future
About Kale:
Kale Ka’alekahi is a Spiritual Activist and Cultural Innovator. A lineage carrier of 4 Indigenous traditions, he embodies a unique blend of ancestral wisdom and modern vision. Kale is a practitioner of Indigenous lifeways, a ceremonialist, storyteller, writer, dancer, and musician. He is the Founder of First Wave Indigenous Ministry, President of Makoa Quest 501c3, and Director of New Old Way Academy (A Regenerative Cultural School).
Website: kalekaalekahi.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kale.kaalekahi/
YouTube: @kkwayoflife
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@advicefromkale
A 5-day immersive Experience for Men, Women, and Couples to Deepen Their Relationship to Self, Nature, and Spirit
If you're ready to step into deeper alignment, embrace sacred practices, and be part of a transformative community, join Kale for Maui Mana | May 14-18, 2025
Reserve your slot here: https://www.sacredsons.com/product/maui-mana-2025/
🎉 The UpLevel Podcast was listed as one of the Top 10 Best Coaching Culture Podcasts!!! https://podcasts.feedspot.com/coaching_culture_podcasts/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we’re celebrating the multifaceted roles of women who lead with heart, courage, and connection as we approach International Women’s Day. Join us for a transformative conversation with Carey Baker, CEO of the Co-Active Training Institute, and a visionary leader redefining leadership through right and responsible relationships. We’ll explore the art of balancing leadership, family, and self in a world that often pulls us in a million directions. This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the brilliance of women who inspire us to lead with responsibility, wholeness, and love. Listen now!
In This Episode:
- Redefining Leadership: Why traditional paradigms no longer serve us and how women are reimagining leadership for a more connected world.
- Right Relationship: Discover the dynamic process of staying in alignment with yourself and your responsibilities as a leader, mother, and partner.
- Love in the Workplace: How care, connection, and responsibility can transform leadership and create meaningful change.
- The Co-Active Framework: A powerful tool for fostering balance and wholeness in your life, relationships, and leadership practices.
- Navigating the Roles: Insights into the unique challenges and opportunities women face in balancing family, career, and community.
About Carey:As CEO of The Co-Active Training Institute and a lifelong systems innovator, Carey stands at the intersection of transformative experiences and business leadership. With over 15 years in executive roles spanning sales, marketing, and organizational development, she is dedicated to reimagining how we engage with ourselves, each other, and the living systems we’re part of to quite literally change the world. From corporate leader to life and leadership coach to systems design, Carey brings diverse worlds and cultures together to create profound and measurable impact. She has accelerated change across organizations and communities through a unique blend of vision, strategy, and human connection, helping individuals and teams unlock their full potential. Carey is focused on leading growth at The Co-Active Training Institute by shaping a culture that integrates business excellence with human wholeness. She and her leadership team are committed to designing innovative coach training and leadership development programs centered on relationship and responsibility while also writing and speaking about the evolution of conscious leadership. In her role, she is also forging partnerships to accelerate systemic transformation and facilitating high-impact organizational change initiatives that inspire creativity and growth. Carey envisions a profound reimagining of human potential in a world increasingly fracturing under the weight of disconnection. She believes the leadership paradigms that brought us here cannot guide us toward the future and are overdue for change. She leads a global movement toward wholeness, responsibility, and love through Co-Active Training Institute, transforming how humans communicate, lead, and create change.
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us in a powerful and deeply moving episode as we welcome two extraordinary humans: Sam House and Em House. Together, they share an honest, vulnerable, and insightful conversation about right relationship—what it means, why we struggle with it, and how we can restore it in our families, communities, and society. Listen now!
In This Episode:
- Right Relationship as a Practice: A lifelong process of aligning with truth, growth, and authentic connection
- Dismantling Ego for Deeper Connection: How releasing ego-driven defenses fosters radical transparency, love, & meaningful relationships
- The Evolution of Parent-Child Bonds: Why honoring each other’s present identity is essential as relationships shift across life stages
- Letting Go to Truly See Each Other: The necessity of shedding past perceptions to build a relationship rooted in the present
- The Coming Out Journey: A candid look at the challenges, growth, and emotional complexities of navigating queer and non-binary identities within a family
- Embracing Change as a Constant: How both parents and children continually adapt as identities unfold & deepen over time
- Personal Stories as a Reflection of Society: How individual experiences echo broader cultural shifts toward embracing identity complexity
- Transforming Systems Through Nuance: Moving beyond polarization by cultivating curiosity, deep listening, & relational integrity
- The Role of Community in Change: Why building supportive spaces is essential for personal and collective transformation
- The Core of Right Relationship: Balancing giving and receiving, being fully present without expectation, & engaging with self-awareness and openness
About Sam & Em House:
Sam House, MCC, CPCC, is a Master Certified Coach and founder of SOULutions Leadership & Coaching, with 25 years of experience in executive coaching, leadership development, and team transformation. As a senior faculty member at the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), Sam specializes in developing leaders through Co-Active Coaching and Leadership programs, bringing a unique blend of rigor, heart, and transformative insight to his work. His expertise spans executive coaching, leadership assessments, and customized training for organizations across the private, nonprofit, social entrepreneurial, and governmental sectors—including IBM, Google, Yale, and Marriott.
http://www.soulutionsleadership.com/
Em House (they/them) is a white, queer, nonbinary parent of a 3-year-old, living in Philadelphia on unceded Lenni-Lenape territory. Em is a passionate advocate for people’s growth and resilience. They are committed to change-making through transparency, radical self-acceptance, courageous vision, and intersectional collective action. Currently, Em works as a faculty member for the Co-Active Training Institute's Coach Training and Leadership programs, as well as a Co-Active coach, and a therapist for Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ communities. Across all professions, Em’s approach is marked by their unique blend of down-to-earth honesty, compassion, and playfulness.
https://www.workingwithem.com/
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**Trigger Warning: This episode mentions the LA fires, which may be sensitive for some listeners. Please listen with care—you’re not alone.*
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a profound conversation with Jessa Calderon—singer, songwriter, emcee, poet, author, and the Director of Land, Water, and Climate Justice for Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples. Jessa, a proud member of the Chumash and Tongva nations, also honors her Yoimi and Mexican heritage. Her energy, wisdom, and storytelling will inspire you to reflect on your relationship with the land, nature, and humanity. Tune in to discover how honoring Indigenous perspectives can guide us toward a more balanced and regenerative future.
In This Episode:
- Find harmony within: Align with your true self by reflecting on a powerful question—Would my ancestors be proud of my actions?
- Embrace interconnectedness: Learn from Indigenous wisdom that sees everything—humans, animals, plants, and the land—as relatives, connected by an unbroken flow of energy.
- Redefine culture: Shift away from overconsumption and embrace a life rooted in reciprocity, balance, and mindful living.
- Challenge the norm: Reflect on how corporate greed has fractured our sacred connection with the earth and its resources.
- Slow down to reconnect: Discover how slowing down can deepen your bond with nature, the community, and yourself.
- Teach the next generation: Instill the values of respect, love, and care for the natural world in children to foster a sustainable future.
- Heal and uplift: Explore how personal growth and self-love radiate outward to create ripples of positive change in the world.
About Jessa:Singer, Song Writer, Emcee (rapper), Poet, and Published Author, as well as the Director of Land, Water, and Climate Justice for Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, Jessa Calderon is of the Chumash and Tongva Nations of Southern California. Jessa also identifies with her Yoeme and Mexican roots. Jessa is a natural-born singer who truly found her voice in hip-hop. As an emcee, poet, and published author, Jessa is able to share parts of herself in a way that keeps the crowds intrigued. Since 2019 Jessa has joined the Dream Warriors collective. Together and separately they share music, culture, stories, poems, seminars, workshops, and webinars which equate to different means of wellness as individuals and community. Aside from writing and music, Jessa has also been a Massage Therapist & Energy worker for nearly 30 years. She is passionate about Massage, Energy work, Past Life Regressions, Hypnotherapy, Intuitive practices, and anything involved in healing and growing.
Website: https://www.jessacalderon.com/
Support her and Buy her Book: SisterHOOD
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, catch an inspiring episode as we sit down with Rasika Saikia, an HR leader with over 17 years of experience at a big tech company. Rasika shares her incredible journey from Asia Pacific to the US, scaling onboarding programs to reach over 100,000 employees, and navigating the complexities of cultural transitions and leadership.
Together, we dive deep into the concept of "right relationships," relationships as evolving entities that thrive on trust, psychological safety, and empathy. Rasika's wisdom on fostering inclusive spaces, embracing vulnerability, and supporting immigrant women through career shifts makes this a must-listen episode for leaders, professionals, and anyone seeking to build deeper, more authentic connections in their lives!
In This Episode:
- Rasika shares how trust, empathy, and intentionality build the foundation for deeper, more meaningful connections—much like ascending step by step on a ladder of trust.
- Hear how Rasika’s father, an educator, championed relational learning—emphasizing the value of connection over just finding answers.
- Reframe relationships as dynamic opportunities for growth, essential in navigating our increasingly polarized world.
- Gain insight into Rasika’s passion for supporting mid-career immigrant women through life’s big shifts—whether relocating, changing careers, or balancing caregiving.
- Explore how coaching unlocks empathy, fosters collaboration, and amplifies diverse voices at the leadership table.
- Discover how to honor cultural differences while leaning into universal principles—love, respect, and authenticity—as cornerstones of inclusive leadership.
About Rasika:Rasika Saikia is a Senior HR Leader with over 17 years of experience at Google. She supports leaders globally on organizational design, change management, and establishing a high-performance culture. She has helped design and facilitate programs geared towards building manager and leader capabilities and leverages her deep coaching expertise as a certified Co-Active professional coach and a SHRM-certified HR professional. Rasika has worked at international locations. She had a regional role in Asia Pacific that required her to travel across offices and collaborate with leaders around the globe while experiencing different cultures. In 2016, she made a big career move to transfer to the US to lead a Global Onboarding program and scale it to over 100k employees across thousands of locations and manage a strong team of Program managers.
As part of her commitment to continued learning, Rasika further expanded her career by making a lateral move from Learning and Development space into Business HR space to support leaders navigate organizational challenges. Rasika is passionate about supporting her community, especially mid-career immigrant women to navigate career shifts in a new country while balancing caregiving responsibilities.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasika-saikia/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we're kicking off the new year with a new season called “Being in Right Relationship: Today’s UpLevel,” featuring returning guest, Sunday Phillips. Step boldly into 2025 with this energizing and deeply insightful episode as we explore the concept of the "Right Relationship" – aligning with ourselves, others, and the world to foster balance, integrity, and intentionality. Sunday shares how astrological insights for 2025 can guide us to live in rhythm with the cosmos, cultivate personal harmony, and contribute positively to our communities.
In This Episode:
- Understanding the Right Relationship:
- Discover how syncing with yourself, your community, and nature leads to exponential growth.
- Learn the secret to balancing personal evolution with meaningful external connections.
- Astrology & New Year Insights:
- 2025 marks the dawn of a potent energetic shift—are you ready to ride the wave?
- Aries season sparks a call for radical self-care, fueling the collective transformation we all crave.
- Self-Harmony & Collective Impact:
- Your personal frequency matters—elevate it, and you uplift everyone around you.
- Embrace the responsibility of nurturing your energy as a tool for global change.
- Spirit Matters—The Theme for 2025:
- Witness the shift from Aries-Libra to Virgo-Pisces, where spirit meets matter and dreams take physical form.
- Ground your spirituality in practical, day-to-day actions that drive real, tangible growth.
About Sunday:Sunday Phillips is a holistic embodiment educator and personal transformation expert at the intersection of ancient wisdom and quantum healing. Her prowess emerges from over two decades of extensive studies and professional experience rooted in Pilates, Yoga, Holistic Healing, Music, and Astrology. Sunday’s uplifting and visionary approach to integrative movement and embodied wellness serves foundational in the development of authentic life enhancement. She describes this method as Living in Rhythm.
Through personalized practices that calibrate core strength, elevate sensory awareness, and sync with life’s rhythmic nature, Sunday curates uniquely transformative experiences based on powerful techniques proven for practical application, actualization, and enduring vitality. Sunday is a trailblazing mystic committed to elevating the mind, body and spirit by way of the art and science of Living in Rhythm... It’s a lifestyle.
Website: https://www.livinginrhythm.com
LinkedIn: Sunday Phillips
Instagram:
@sundaycphillips
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LIVING IN RHYTHM PODCAST Season 2 is coming soon!
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for another transformative conversation with Bill Ao, a Technical Solutions Consultant and award-winning internal coach at a big tech company. With over 500 hours of coaching conversations and a 2023 Coaching Excellence Award, Bill aims to empower others to find their peace and power amidst life’s chaos.
Drawing from his cultural roots, professional journey, and personal coaching philosophy, Bill shares his invaluable insights into navigating our overwhelming times, redefining leadership, and embracing visibility with authenticity.
Bill’s unique perspectives on thriving through crisis, chaos, and change will inspire and empower you. Prepare to be reminded of what it means to be visible at this moment in time. Listen now!
In This Episode:
- The Impact of Technology: Discover how technology shapes our perception and alters the pace of life.
- Thriving Amid Crisis, Chaos, and Change: Why today's chaos feels so overwhelmingly dramatic—and the secrets to finding your inner anchor.
- Redefining Leadership: Discover how visionary leaders create the future with bold dreams and actions.
- The Transformative Power of Coaching: Unlock the tools that foster deeper empathy, genuine understanding, and meaningful connections in both personal and professional lives.
- Technology’s Double-Edged Sword: How to harness its power while navigating information overload.
About Bill:By job title, Bill is a Technical Solutions Consultant at Google, and in the past decade, he has helped deliver some of the most exciting product launches for the company.
Outside of his core role, Bill also serves as an internal coach in the company. Since the start of his coaching journey, in short of 2 years’ time, Bill has supported more than 150 of his colleagues, in over 500 hours of coaching conversations, and grew from a beginner to an ICF PCC accredited coach. He was awarded Google’s 2023 Coaching Excellence Award for his significant contribution to the company’s coaching culture.
Bill is a strong believer in coaching. He is on a mission to build “the temple where people find their power and peace.”
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xbillao/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we are joined by Eva Dalak, founder of Peace Activation and a global leader in conflict transformation. Born Palestinian in Israel and now residing in Costa Rica, Eva has spent 30+ years facilitating peace in some of the world’s most challenging conflict zones, including Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
Eva introduces us to soul-based peacebuilding, a revolutionary approach that begins with activating peace within ourselves. Her work focuses on fostering dialogue, encouraging silence and presence, and utilizing identity as a bridge to connection rather than division.
Whether you’re navigating personal challenges or leading through global crises, Eva’s wisdom will empower you to lead with compassion, resilience, and purpose.
In This Episode:
- The Heart of Peace Activation: How activating peace within individuals can transform external environments.
- Silence as a Tool: The role of stillness in self-reflection and healing.
- Identity Dynamics: How to use multiple identities as a tool for connection instead of conflict.
- Nonlinear Leadership: Leading with presence amidst crisis, chaos, and change.
- Practical Tools for Presence: Breathwork, silence, and movement as practices for staying grounded.
About Eva:Eva Dalak is a Peace Activator, International Consultant, Facilitator, and Trainer. She is a Palestinian born in Israel and currently residing in Costa Rica and is the founder of Peace Activation. Eva has been working for 30 years in conflict zones in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Her expertise lies in conflict transformation and women's political and economic empowerment. Eva's dedication to fostering peace from within each individual profoundly impacts communities. This commitment led her to establish Peace Activation and advocate for “soul-based peacebuilding.”
Website: https://www.evadalak.me/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evadalak
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evadalak/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-dalak-0702b02/
Youtube: @evadalak58
For insights into her initiatives, visit Peace Activation and One Whole Peace.
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, get ready for an inspiring journey of introspection with our incredible guest, Natalie Kuhn, a public speaker, interfaith reverend in training, and mental health advocate who brings spirituality and leadership to life in ways that are both accessible and transformative. With a decade-long journey as a pioneer in The Class, Natalie helped shape the global digital wellness platform, ultimately serving as its co-CEO. Today, with her new venture, Make the Sun, she’s lighting the way for individuals and organizations to navigate life’s crises, chaos, and change with greater clarity, compassion, and connection.
In This Episode:
- Navigating Crisis with Grace: Learn why Natalie believes in going inward before leading outward during times of crisis, chaos, and change
- Celebrating the "Bad News": How facing life’s challenges with curiosity and compassion can transform shame into wisdom
- The Power of Pause: Why resting before action creates alignment and brings harmony to a world often filled with division
- Accessible Spirituality: Hear Natalie’s beautiful insights on integrating spirituality into daily life and leadership, making profound concepts relatable and actionable
- Building Community in Tough Times: Natalie’s journey as a teacher, leader, and founder demonstrates how embracing vulnerability creates meaningful change
About Natalie:Natalie Kuhn is a public speaker, teacher, and inter-faith reverend-in-training who blends her expertise in mental health with a uniquely accessible approach to spirituality. Over nearly eleven years, she played an integral role in shaping The Class, a transformative and cathartic workout, from its humble beginnings as its inaugural employee to a renowned global digital wellness platform, culminating in her tenure as Co-CEO. Recently, she launched her new venture, Make The Sun, which offers practices to invite individuals and organizations to see themselves and the world with greater clarity and compassion.
Website: www.youmakethesun.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisnatalie/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thisisnatalie
Substack: https://youmakethesun.substack.com/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join us for a deep and insightful conversation with the extraordinary Robert Holden, a pioneer in psychology and spirituality known for his groundbreaking work featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and PBS's special Shift Happens. He is a New York Times best-selling author whose work has reshaped how we view happiness, success, and purpose. Robert brings profound insights into living authentically and creating a purpose-centered life amidst crisis, chaos, and change.
In This Episode:
- Discover who Robert Holden is and why his insights on purpose and success are so powerful.
- Uncover a fresh perspective on the “death of normal” and explore how to embrace life’s big questions in a changing world.
- Learn about the pivotal moments in Robert's life, beginning with a powerful realization at age 16.
- Listen as Robert dives into his concept of Success Intelligence, redefining what it means to be truly successful.
- Discover how courage shapes a path toward authenticity and why it’s essential for redefining success.
- Uncover vision's foundational role in success and explore the seven parts of Success Intelligence.
- Learn why growth is more valuable than simple change and how adding authenticity can elevate your life and work.
- Listen to Robert’s insights on harnessing personal wisdom and following inner intuition.
- Discover how to balance life’s demands with moments of stillness, creating space for reflection and wisdom.
- Learn how setbacks can serve as stepping stones and uncover why courage is vital for success.
- Listen as Robert introduces physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual intelligence for a holistic approach to life.
- Discover the beauty of adding heart and soul to everyday work.
About Robert:Robert Holden’s innovative work on psychology and spirituality has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, a PBS special Shift Happens!, and in two major BBC-TV documentaries on happiness - The Happiness Formula and How to Be Happy. He has presented two popular TEDx talks on The Tea Meditation and Destination Addiction. Robert works as a consultant to leaders and organizations on the theme of purpose and leadership. He gives keynote talks on living a purpose-centered life worldwide. His clients include universities, schools, charities, businesses, publishing companies, theatre groups, and global brands such as Dove & the Real Beauty Campaign, Unilever, the Body Shop, IBM, Virgin, and Google.
Robert teaches a series of public programs on living your purpose. He hosts Masterminds on the Hero Journey, The Golden Thread, Finding Purpose, and Success Intelligence. He teaches on the Living Your Purpose retreat in Assisi and a Make Me An Instrument online course. He teaches a Purpose & the Enneagram program. He has led spiritual retreats to Jerusalem, Galilee, Montserrat, Glastonbury, and Findhorn.
Website: https://www.successintelligence.com/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with Sharon Joseph, a dynamic leader in the tech industry and the CEO and founder of CrewAsis.ai. This marketing intelligence platform uses AI and data science to help consumer brands grow sales and market share. With over 25 years of experience at Fortune 500 companies like Google, GSK, PepsiCo, and Kraft Foods. Sharon’s leadership journey is packed with wisdom on navigating change, innovation, and building strong teams. Join us for an empowering conversation that will challenge your ideas on leadership, AI, and navigating crisis, chaos, and change.
In This Episode:
- Discover how Sharon became a change agent while staying grounded in her leadership and hear how she balances driving transformation with maintaining core values and creating stability for her team amidst rapid industry changes.
- Discover how Sharon pivoted from working in analytics for craft alcohol to founding Crewasis—a marketing intelligence platform that provides consumer insights using AI, launched during the height of the pandemic.
- Learn how Crewasis is revolutionizing the marketing world by combining data science with AI to uncover market trends and insights.
- Sharon shares how her involvement with Harvard Business School aided her company’s digital transformation.
- Sharon opens up about the challenges she faced as a female leader in a male-dominated industry and how she proved her credibility through her achievements, including joining Techstars.
- Sharon explores how AI can be used to enhance leadership and help companies navigate through chaotic times, making better decisions while driving innovation.
- Sharon discusses fostering a culture of responsibility, reciprocity, and strong relationships to create a positive and supportive environment at Crewasis.
About Sharon:
Sharon Joseph is the CEO and Founder of CREWASIS.AI, a marketing intelligence platform that grows sales and market share for consumer brands using AI and data science. The platform uses publicly available data to uncover insights and trends.
She works with companies like Haleon, Reckitt, Nike, and more. Sharon has 25 years of experience as a Fortune 500 executive in marketing and sales at companies like GSK, Kraft Foods, PepsiCo, Newell Rubbermaid, and Reckitt. She is a Harvard Business School (HBS) alumnus and currently conducts research in Martech and AI with HBS. Sharon lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Website: https://crewasis.ai/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonemilyjoseph
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we’re bringing back the series “Leading Through Crisis, Chaos, and Change” for part two. We felt compelled to continue this conversation because, let’s face it, we’re all still navigating challenging times. As leaders, whether in business, our communities, or our families, we need all the support and tools we can get not just to survive but thrive.
Our inspiring guest, Daniel Tardy, embodies transformation and resilience. A former engineer and real estate developer turned detox and transformational coach, TEDx speaker, and founder of getLIGHT, Daniel’s mission is to help others find clarity in mind, body, and spirit. Join us as we explore the powerful connection between what we consume—food, energy, habits, and emotions—and how it shapes our ability to lead through crisis, chaos, and change.
In This Episode:
- Learn how detoxification isn’t just about the physical body but also a holistic approach that touches the mind and spirit.
- Daniel shares how his transition from engineering to detox coach stemmed from his own healing from chronic toxicity.
- Hear about Christie’s detox journey with Daniel. She shares the profound shifts she experienced, both personally and as a leader.
- Explore the healing power of plant medicine and the emotional connections between our organs (anger in the liver, sadness in the kidneys, grief in the heart and lungs).
- Learn how reconnecting with nature, regardless of where you are, can profoundly change how you lead through crisis, chaos, and change.
- Discover the power of sound technology and how it can help us navigate our internal and external worlds during chaotic times.
We’re excited to invite you to an UpLevel Virtual Community Call!
After her transformative detox journey, Christie is eager to share her experience with the community. She has invited Daniel to co-host this intimate conversation, where he will share his wisdom on detoxing and how the things we consume can deeply impact the way we lead.
📅 Friday, October 18th, 2024
🕛 12:00 p.m. EST
RSVP: https://bit.ly/UplevelDetox
About Daniel:
Daniel Tardy is a Detox & Transformational Coach, TEDx Speaker, and the founder of getLIGHT, a global detoxification initiative. With a background in engineering and entrepreneurship, Daniel’s personal journey from chronic toxicity to vibrant health has shaped his life’s mission—to help others achieve clarity in mind, body, and spirit. Through his online and in-person retreats, as well as personalized detox guidance, Daniel has transformed countless lives, sharing his expertise in detoxification and holistic health with a global audience. He is a proud father of two and is based in Costa Rica, where he continues his work empowering people to reclaim their health.
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https://www.facebook.com/getlighttoday
@getlighttoday
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In this insightful season finale episode of The UpLevel Podcast, we reflect on a powerful six-month journey exploring the “R.O.I. of Coaching in the Workplace.” Throughout this season, we’ve been privileged to learn from 18 incredible leaders and coaches who are at the forefront of transforming workplaces through coaching. From understanding how coaching enhances employee well-being and engagement to navigating the uncertainty of today’s complex workplace, our guests shared invaluable wisdom and bottomlined that coaching is a gateway to creating more human-centered, resilient organizations.
We encourage you to listen to the whole season of “R.O.I. of Coaching in the Workplace,” tune into any episodes you may have missed, or revisit those that resonated most deeply. Together, let’s gain empowering insights that will transform how we view coaching in our workplace. Let’s uplevel now!
Here's the lineup:
- ”Exploring the Transformative Power of Coaching in the Workplace” with Eric Kohner
- "From Google to Growth: Harnessing Coaching for Career and Organizational Well-Being” with Susie Ade
- “How a Big Tech Company is Revolutionizing Organizational Development Through Coaching in the Workplace” with Vimal Shyamji
- “From Feedback to Empowerment Through Coaching in the Workplace” with Holli Ilderton
- “Recognizing the Intangible ROI of Coaching in the Workplace” Dr. Henryk Krajewski
- “How To Cultivate The Superpower Of Coaching In The Workplace” with Christy King
- "Cultural Integration And Transformative Leadership Coaching In The Workplace” with John Tse Tow
- “The R.O.I. Of Creative Leadership Through Transformational Coaching In The Workplace” with Marjoleine Byrne
- “How To Embrace A Big Life Through Coaching In The Workplace” with Kendra Reddy
- “Integrating The Femasculine Leadership Model In the Workplace” with Signy Wilson
- “The Heart of Intuitive Leadership Through Coaching In The Workplace” with Rahim Moosa
- “Accelerating Success & Impact Through Coaching for Organizations in the Workplace” with Ann Farrell
- “Leading Across Continents: The Ripple Effect of Coaching In The Workplace” with Joni Mar
- “Team Coaching Approach & Design Alliances for Organizations" with Mike & Erin Hutchins
- “How to Implement an Effective Internal Coaching Program in the Workplace” with Moira Klein-Swormink
- “Cultivating Connection: How Coaching Enriches Leadership and Belongingness in the Workplace” with Rich Jones
- “Living a Bigger Game & Changing Lives Through Coaching in the Workplace” with Dr. Rick Tamlyn
In This Episode:
- Coaching is a powerful tool to navigate today’s complex workplace.
- Insights from business leaders on using coaching to build engagement, retention, and well-being.
- How coaching breaks barriers and fosters a culture of openness, vulnerability, and growth.
- The power of coaching across generations and industries
- A look at what’s next as we continue discussing leadership in times of crisis chaos, and change.
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome Dr. Rick Tamlyn, an inspirational powerhouse who has been transforming lives and organizations across the globe. As the co-creator of The Bigger Game and author of Play Your Bigger Game: 9 Minutes to Learn, A Lifetime to Live, Dr. Rick has made it his mission to help people step out of their comfort zones and create the lives they truly desire.
Dr. Rick shares his journey from the inception of The Bigger Game to his pivotal role in pioneering coaching in the workplace. With a mix of humility and wisdom, he reflects on the early days of bringing this transformative technology into businesses and the lasting impact it has had.
In This Episode:
- Rick’s Background & Work: From author to activational keynote speaker, co-active trainer, and thought leader, Rick’s influence spans various domains.
- The Bigger Game: How this tool has inspired thousands to live more meaningful, fulfilling lives.
- Produce U: Rick’s latest endeavor, designed to empower individuals to produce their best selves, with an event coming up in October 2024.
- The ROI of Coaching: The tangible and intangible benefits of integrating coaching into the workplace.
- Metaphysics & Future Self: A fascinating discussion on Rick’s thoughts about energetics, quantum physics, and how he envisions his 98-year-old future self.
About Rick:Rick Tamlyn inspires people to be their best. He teaches that every experience, emotion, reaction, and relationship is All Made Up. As an author, activational keynote speaker, co-active trainer, and thought leader in the inspiration business, Rick has delivered his message around the world to people and organizations from all walks of life. In 2001, Rick co-created The Bigger Game: a tool that inspires people from all walks of life to get out of their comfort zones and invent the lives they want. He is the author of Play Your Bigger Game: 9 Minutes to Learn, A Lifetime to Live (Hay House).
Rick is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and a Master Certified Coach (MCC) as designated by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
Website: www.RickTamlyn.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-tamlyn-076477/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ricktamlyn
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rick.tamlyn
Youtube: @ricktamlynbiggergame
Join the upcoming PRODUCE YOU The Event on Oct. 10-11, 2024! Use code “save20” upon ticket checkout so you can save $20!
Register here: http://www.produceyouevent.com
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome a Wellness & Career Coach, a Masters track and field athlete, and the founder of Find More Balance, Rich Jones. Rich shares his journey of expanding leadership through developing himself as a coach and using coaching tools to encourage a sense of belonging within organizations. He also touches on personal reflection, recognizing capacities, and embracing one's achievements.
If you’re a leader who hasn’t yet embraced the principles and skills of coaching, this conversation might inspire you to take the leap! Tune in now!
In This Episode:
- Rich's Journey: From coach training to applying those skills as an internal leader at his organization
- Expanding Belonging: The importance and methods of encouraging a sense of belonging in today’s diverse workplace
- Personal Capacity & Reflection: Recognizing one’s limits while appreciating accomplishments
- Coaching Frameworks: How listening deeply can uncover true issues beyond surface-level problems
- Defining Coaching: It's about helping people discover their answers and empowering them along the way
- Impactful Experiences with Coaches: A powerful story about Rich's former manager who guided him through career decisions using coaching principles
About Rich:
Rich Jones is a Wellness & Career Coach and the founder of Find More Balance, a coaching and content company dedicated to helping individuals achieve their full potential. In his day job at Google, Rich serves as a Retention and Progression Consultant in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging space, where he passionately coaches and advocates for employees, driving meaningful change within the organization.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Rich is a masters track and field athlete and a two-time national champion, showcasing his commitment to excellence both on and off the field. A personality development junkie, Rich continuously seeks growth, not only for himself but for those he coaches and mentors.
Website: http://www.findmorebalance.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richrunstrack
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@richrunstrack
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richrunstrack
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, let’s explore how coaching skills and competencies can be tailored to meet an organization's unique needs for achieving sustainable business results.Our guest is Moira Klein-Swormink, who brings her dynamic energy and extensive experience to our conversation on coaching within corporate environments. Moira shares her journey from working in Advertising alongside our host Christie at Cossette Communications in their early careers to becoming the principal of Canada Branch Development at Edward Jones. Pulling from 24 years of memories, Moira reflects on how coaching principles have been instrumental in her personal growth and a key driver for professional development and organizational success.
Tune into this incredible episode and learn from one of the most confident and compassionate professionals in the coaching field.
In This Episode:
- Hear Moira and Christie reminisce about their early careers and discover how Christie played as a coach for Moira during her formative years, helping her uncover authentic self-expression through personal exploration.
- Learn how coaching was introduced into Edward Jones and its impact on financial advisors.
- Hear about Coach U and their methodologies that differ from the Co-Active approach.
- Uncover the tactics employed by Moira to justify continued investment in coaching programs amidst various organizational challenges.
- Hear the strategies used by Edward Jones to apply coaching principles effectively within different contexts while maintaining alignment with company goals.
- Learn the importance of acknowledging emotions in the workplace and fine-tuning listening capabilities for better team dynamics.
About Moira:Moira is a people-first, results-driven leader who is most satisfied when she is doing a million different things. She loves to learn and is constantly seeking ways to connect with others to gain exposure to new perspectives, activities, and opportunities – and to unlock hidden potential. Moira is passionate about people and possibilities – something that coaching has amplified for her throughout her career.
Moira joined Edward Jones – a wealth management company – in January 2016, planning to stay for two years to build out the performance and coaching teams in Canada - that was 8 years ago! She became a partner at the firm in 2022 and currently leads Canada Branch Development. In this role, Moira is responsible for Practice Management Coaching & Consulting, Performance Management, Talent Acquisition & Learning for the Financial Advisors and Client Support Team Members across Canada.
Prior to Jones, Moira worked at BMO Financial Group in various roles across the company. She left BMO and started a consulting, coaching & training practice to be around for her young children – and to gain exposure to new builder opportunities with start-ups in various fields.
Moira's favorite work is raising three confident, compassionate, and capable children who she argues also help raise her!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moiraks/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we explore coaching with powerhouse couple Mike and Erin Hutchins. They share their journey from consulting to coaching, how they define coaching, and how it has influenced their professional lives and their dynamic as life partners. With rich stories and insights on team coaching within organizations, Erin and Mike offer a wealth of knowledge on creating high-performing teams and maintaining work-life harmony.
In This Episode:
- Hear Mike and Erin's definition of coaching as a partnership where coaches help coachees find solutions and create safety for lightbulb moments.
- Explore their unique dynamic as life partners and co-leaders in running an organization.
- Uncover how coaching skills are integrated into their family dynamics and business leadership.
- Discover Mike and Erin’s origin story from working as consultants before transitioning into coaching.
- Understand the impact of shared purpose and designed alliances which amplifies alignment on business partnership and family life.
- Get insights on real-world contexts related to the team coaching approach that makes concepts applicable to clients and the importance of setting teams up for success before engagement begins.
About Mike & Erin:Erin and Mike Hutchins are the dynamic co-founders of ACT, a leadership coach training and consulting firm dedicated to empowering leaders and organizations. With a wealth of combined experience, they offer unparalleled expertise and a shared passion for fostering transformative leadership.
They are both Adjunct Lecturers at Brown University School of Professional Studies and have trained and coached hundreds of leaders and teams. Before creating ACT, they had a combined 25-year consulting career with the Big 4 leading large change programs. This deep organizational experience, coupled with the academic hardships of partnering with an Ivy League university, created the successful ICF-credentialed Leadership + Coaching Certification program.
Website: https://actleader.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/act-leadership/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actleadership/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcomed a Master Certified Coach who excels at generating powerful results with high-performance individuals, leaders, and teams. Our guest is Joni Mar; she specializes in leadership development, innovating and implementing strategic solutions, and relationship management across Asia, Europe, and North America in almost every industry sector. From her early days as a Co-Active trainer to her current role shaping C-Suite executives, general managers, and directors, Joni recounts transformative moments from her life and how they've influenced her approach to coaching others.
Tune in for an enriching discussion about professional development, human growth, cultural heritage, leadership evolution, emotional intelligence, and creating legacies that span continents.
In This Episode:
- Discover how Joni transitioned from journalism to coaching after seeking a new career path during a life-changing period.
- Be enlightened by Joni’s definition of coaching as an authentic and unmasked conversation between two individuals focused on benefiting the coachee while enriching the coach’s experience.
- Hear Joni and Christie as they recount their transformative moments through the process of coaching that continues to influence them today.
- Get insights about coaching across generational differences in workplaces today, from Baby Boomers' desire for legacy-building conversations to Gen Z's need for purpose-driven engagement.
- Listen to Joni’s poignant reflection on completing an ancestral circle by bringing back knowledge to Asia, where part of Joni’s lineage began.
- Understand the importance of self-love and generational wounds through helping others.
- Learn how Joni works with driven leaders who are learning to balance achieving results while nurturing relationships.
- Recognize the ripple effect that improves parenting skills through coach training and how that can impact future generations within workplaces.
About Joni:
Joni Mar, CPCC, CNTC, MCC, is a highly respected results-focused executive coach who enhances the performance, influence, and relationships of global business leaders and their teams. By elevating the conscious mindsets of leaders her clients report achieving unparalleled performance with greater success and satisfaction.She divides her time between North America and Asia coaching executives and their teams in global organizations to be more conscious and intentional in their leadership. While most of her leaders excel in achieving results, she coaches them to create a coaching culture, generate more impactful results, and leave a meaningful legacy. With Joni’s keen understanding of human behavior, coaching is playful and profound. Her leaders become more influential and inspiring fueled by their passion and purpose. Prior to coaching Joni was an award-winning television journalist, and entrepreneur and is the co-author of “The Inspired Business Approach.”
Website: https://www.jonimar.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonimar/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we were honored to welcome our special guest, the remarkable Ann Farrell, a recognized authority in leadership development, a trailblazer in the corporate world, and a powerhouse in executive coaching. Ann remains the only woman in her Fortune 200 company's 170-year history to rise from entry-level to top leadership, overseeing organizations as large as 5,000 employees, managing budgets up to $8 billion, and leading a billion-dollar product development program. With her extensive background that spans 30 years, including a transformative personal journey into motherhood and coaching, Ann shares her insights on how effective coaching can significantly impact organizational success.
In This Episode:
- Discover how becoming a mom led Ann to shift from high-level executive roles to pursue her passion for empowering others through coaching.
- Learn about organizations' pivotal role in investing in their leaders' growth through programs like master certification and corporate athlete pathways.
- Hear about Ann’s powerful moment during a 360 feedback session that reshaped her approach to positivity and connection within professional settings.
- Understand why traditional one-on-one coaching may fall short without considering the broader organizational system at play.
- Gain insights into how engaging with all stakeholders involved can amplify return on investment (ROI) for both individuals and organizations alike.
- Hear valuable insights on what coaches need to consider when transitioning from personal to executive coaching and what organizations should look for when hiring coaches or building internal coaching strategies.
- Explore training opportunities designed by Ann that bridge gaps between personal coach training and the nuanced demands of organizational environments.
- Learn tips on landing business engagements with organizations by demonstrating process-oriented approaches rather than ad-hoc sessions and uncover strategies for weaving this systemic engagement throughout coaching processes to ensure long-term sustainability and effectiveness.
About Ann:In her corporate career, Ann remains the only woman to rise from entry-level to the Top of the house in her Fortune 200 Company’s 170-year history. Her experience enables her to know what it takes to succeed in Organizations and the keys to supporting executives and leaders to succeed in Organizations as well.
For the past 18 years, she has leveraged her expertise and professional coach certifications to build her own very successful Executive and Leadership Development firm, Quantum Endeavors®, supporting over 1,000 Executives and leaders for over 10,000+ coaching hours. Her trademarked coaching engagement processes and group programs have earned her 100% Client-company Re-engagement and 100% Client Growth Rates for all 18 years. In 2018 she launched the Inpowered® Coaching Institute with results that prove struggle is optional and the “long” game doesn’t have to take long as using the right strategies is what matters most, not time.
Website: https://www.inpoweredcoachinginstitute.com/home
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, let’s talk about how embracing the power of intuition is pivotal in creating a life we want to live that aligns with our values. Our guest is Rahim Moosa, an executive coach who uses his depth of intuition, compassion, empathy, and edge to surface the truth and create discovery pathways for his clients.
With his experience and deep understanding of leadership dynamics, he shares his unique perspective on what it means to be an effective coach who can profoundly transform the workplace.
In this Episode:
- Rahim shares his unique perspective on coaching as holding space for potential realization and forward-looking action.
- Rahim explains the concept of ‘holding space’ as being present, grounded, and attuned without distraction, utilizing the whole body as a tool for listening and observing.
- Discover how intuition plays a vital role in Rahim’s coaching journey. He reflects on learning to trust this inner guidance system.
- Hear an intimate conversation about Rahim’s personal life events, such as the birth of his daughter, the death of a loved one, his health scare, and working under toxic leadership, which prompted the profound shift in Rahim’s career path.
- Explore how organizations are increasingly valuing intuitive skills alongside data-driven approaches. Rahim discusses trends like neuroplasticity becoming integral parts of leadership development programs.
- Rahim emphasizes how coaching has become essential medicine for navigating VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) environments.
- Rahim delves into the R.O.I. of coaching, where clients have high levels of trust and safety along with valuable experiential learning when engaging with coaches.
- Rahim shares his experience as an alumnus and faculty member at Royal Roads and the ‘accelerator model’ curriculum that played an instrumental role in shaping his approach toward executive coaching today.
About Rahim:Rahim Moosa is an Executive Coach with a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) designation with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) based in Toronto, Canada. Rahim brings self-awareness to his client’s innate capabilities and connects their talent to wider organizational objectives. From this base of insight, he holds them capable of making behavioral changes that are demonstrable in how they show up, how they manage team interactions, and how they measure performance.
Rahim holds a Bachelor of Commerce from York University along with certifications in Innovation from the Harvard Division of Continuing Education, Resiliency and Mindfulness from Queen's University, and Executive Coaching from Royal Roads University. He is certified with Multi-Health Systems (MHS) to deliver and assess Emotional Intelligence (EQi 2.0 and EQi 360) for individuals and teams. Rahim is also a Mentor Coach for learners in the Executive Coaching and Masters in Leadership Program at Royal Roads University located in British Columbia, Canada.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahimmoosa
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, learn the ‘Femasculine’ approach that teaches how to balance masculine and feminine energy within all genders. This integrated leadership model arms leaders with the insight needed to change the way they move forward and create the businesses (and lives) they want. Our guest is Signy Wilson, a pioneer in the coaching field and one of Canada's premiere leadership coaches. With her 20 years of experience as a Leadership and Executive Coach, she breaks down the behaviors and mindsets that define toxic, distorted, and integrated masculine and feminine—and their impact and influence in the workplace. She also shares the crucial distinction between executive and leadership coaching.
This episode is for anyone seeking wisdom and insights into creating an inclusive company culture where no one feels left behind, and creativity grows across organizations in the workplace. Tune in now!
In This Episode:
- Signyficant Living: Explore Signy's concept of leading a life filled with meaning, purpose, and passion beyond society's traditional success measures.
- Transformative Journey: Hear reflections on Signy's transformative journey, the impact of slowing down, and the importance of being heart-centered.
- Internalized Capitalism and Decolonization: Gain insights into moving away from external validation toward inner truth.
- Femasculine Model: Discover how to balance feminine energy like collaboration and community with masculine traits like action and focus for harmonious leadership.
- Four Coaching Skills: Learn the coaching skills that foster workplace engagement and align masculine and feminine qualities.
- Mindset Shifts: Understand how mindset shifts can enhance employee engagement and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion, allowing individuals to bring their whole selves to work.
About Signy:As a pioneer in the coaching field, she has been on the Faculty of the Coaches Training Institute since 2005 and has been awarded the exclusive Master Certified Coach (MCC) designation by the International Coach Federation (ICF). In her 20 years as a Leadership and Executive Coach, helping managers to CEOs from small start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, she especially loves working with women in leadership who gave up part of themselves to be successful in the corporate space, and long to return to wholeness.
Signy received a Master of Human Resources in Leadership Development, and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, from Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, and is certified in more personality assessment tools than any one person should be.
Creator of the Signyficant Living program and the Femasculine Model, Signy believes that through completely honoring our whole self we live our fullest, most Signyficant lives.
Website: https://signywilson.com
Femasculine Website: https://signywilson.com/femasculine/
Harvard Business Review “What it Really Takes to Become an Executive Coach”
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we have an empowering conversation with our guest Kendra Reddy, a dynamic leader and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach who shares her philosophy on living a 'big life'—embracing both the highs and lows that come our way. She reflects on how pivotal moments shaped her understanding of value beyond job titles, leading to an inspiring career in coaching. She opens up about her journey from executive recruiting to human capital consulting, where she discovered the transformative power of coaching in the workplace.
Join us as we explore what it takes to live and to lead expansively while navigating through personal challenges and professional expectations.
In This Episode:
- Learn how living a big life means accepting all aspects of experience, including challenges.
- Discover why coaching is an engaged process that supports someone's greatness rather than following a strict model or set of questions that affect professional development and personal growth.
- Hear Kendra’s story about how she earned her 11 certifications and discuss how she overcame her imposter syndrome.
- Kendra emphasizes that a good coach helps clients embrace their potential beyond job titles or roles. It lies in being fully present, lending strength, and encouraging clients toward their greatness.
- Learn the importance of aligning coaching practices with organizational culture for lasting impact.
- Understand why organizations need to shift away from rigid metrics towards recognizing incremental progress in coaching outcomes.
About Kendra:A Master Coach (CPCC, CNTC) and Storyteller, Kendra believes that leading with excellence begins with personal mastery. The more energy you invest in discovering, integrating, and liberating the most authentic, daring, and conscious version of you – the more your capacity to live a Big Life grows. Drawing from positive psychology, coaching, neuroscience, somatics, modern spirituality, nature, the multidisciplinary science of sustainable high performance, and her journey of recovering from cPTSD, Kendra engages people in thought-provoking conversations that empower and help them dramatically expand and improve their leadership capacity, clarity, and confidence.
Since 2008, Kendra has successfully launched and grown her company, Blueprint Strategies Inc., authored the Executive Career column for the Financial Post online, appeared on popular television, coached thousands of executives, entrepreneurs, and artists. Kendra is a designated Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Certified Neuroscience Transformational Coach (CNTC) with over 2,500 applied hours. She’s earned certifications in Solutions-Focused Brief Coaching, Somatics and Embodied Transformation, Social Psychology, Equine Assisted Leadership Facilitation, and Breathwork Facilitation. She’s also studied Organizational Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC), Tantric science, and has a disciplined spiritual leadership practice.
Website: https://www.kendrareddy.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendrareddy/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kendrareddy/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, hear our special guest, Marjoleine Byrne, as she shares her journey from being a lawyer and mother to discovering her passion for coaching after moving to California from Europe. She recalls the life-changing moment when she was asked, "What do you want?"—a question that sparked deep introspection and led her down the path of coaching. Marjoleine is one of the first coaches to integrate Co-Active with adult-stage development and agile transformation. Her innovative approach has empowered senior leaders worldwide to embrace Creative Leadership, catalyzing deep organizational change.
This episode serves as both inspiration and a practical guidebook on how effective coaching can significantly improve workplace dynamics, leader effectiveness, and employee engagement levels and ultimately contribute positively toward achieving organizational goals amidst ever-changing environments. Tune in now!
In This Episode:
- Marjoleine's journey from law to coaching–driven by personal growth and seeking purpose beyond life's roles and responsibilities.
- Explore Marjoleine's pioneering work in integrating Co-Active Coaching with adult-stage development and agile transformation, revolutionizing how organizations approach personal and professional growth.
- Get insights into how investing in employee coaching skills can foster better relationships among team members and enhance overall organizational effectiveness.
- Discover strategies for tailoring content to meet specific client needs while staying true to the larger context of their journey.
- Impactful discussions on essential leadership competencies, from authenticity and creativity over-reactivity to relationship building through listening and inquiry, and self-awareness around limiting beliefs and assumptions
- Uncover the power of collaboration and creating value through generosity and partnership, exceeding competition for long-term client success.
- Learn Marjoleine's favorite coaching technique, which is perfect for establishing clear expectations and effective collaboration with clients.
- Hear the importance of aligning coach training with business outcomes and the incredible benefits it brings.
About Marjoleine:Marjoleine Byrne, CPCC, M.A., PCC is passionate about supporting leaders, teams, and organizations to thrive in complexity and evolve their leadership mindset. Her work helps people grow personally and professionally by connecting more deeply, living more fully, and transforming the relationships that matter most in their lives. One of the first coaches to integrate Co-Active with adult-stage development and agile transformation, Marjoleine has trained many senior leaders to use Co-Active to accelerate the move to Creative Leadership. Her collaboration with The Leadership Circle has taken the unique combination of Co-Active and TLC to leaders and teams worldwide. In 2021, her partnership with two teams of a biotech company resulted in a unique ICF Prism Honorable Mention for the COVID-19 pandemic response. Marjoleine has lived and worked in the U.S. and Europe, bringing deep cultural awareness to all her work. She currently resides in the Netherlands with her husband and three teenage children.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/marjoleinebyrne
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we welcome John Tse Tow, a well-versed coaching practitioner with over 20 years of experience. John shares his evolving definition of coaching, emphasizing its transformative power and ability to unearth hidden aspects within individuals. He recounts his career journey, from facilitating youth programs at age 18 to leading training sessions across China for HSBC and JPMorgan. He reflects on how he witnessed the shift from traditional training methods towards embracing coaching modalities for personal and professional development.
Listen in to gain insights into blending cultural elements into modern corporate training techniques while appreciating the unique challenges faced by the Eastern region market when it comes to embracing new paradigms in organizational development through personal growth frameworks such as Co-Active coaching combined with analytical tools like Leadership Circle. Tune in now!
In This Episode:
- Discover how John transitioned from facilitating youth programs to pioneering coaching initiatives at major financial institutions like HSBC and JPMorgan.
- Explore John's perspective on coaching as a method to uncover hidden aspects within individuals that they may not be aware of, thus helping them discover new facets of their potential.
- Gain insights into how organizations have shifted from traditional training models toward embracing coaching for leadership development, especially noting differences in adoption rates across Asia.
- Learn about the challenges and rewards of introducing Western-developed methodologies such as Co-Active Coaching to diverse Asian cultures.
- Understand how John leverages his multilingual abilities to create deeper connections during his sessions by integrating cultural nuances.
- Hear about innovative ways to engage leaders through playfulness, embodiment practices, and creativity exercises that tap into different cognitive processes.
About John:John Tse Tow (pronounced see-toe), PCC, CPCC, ORSCC, is an accomplished and highly qualified coach and facilitator with 20+ years of experience in various industries. Being a faculty member of the Co-Active Training Institute as well as a brand ambassador and faculty of the Leadership Circle, John plays a crucial role in training and mentoring new coaches.
Originally from Brunei, John has lived in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Brisbane. His multicultural upbringing and fluency in 8 languages have enabled John to deliver and coach in numerous countries and across cultures. He has also led successful leadership culture transformation programs for multinational companies.
Currently, John works with leadership teams and team leaders across industries, helping them navigate the volatile and complex business landscape. His mission is to elevate leaders' consciousness and unlock their true potential through self-awareness and transformative leadership. With his expertise in corporate culture programs, John has been recognized for his exceptional work in designing and delivering training programs. His leadership style focuses on facilitating transformation and challenging teams to explore their intelligence and creativity.
Website: https://www.johntt.coach/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntt-coach/
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, Christy King, shares her journey and insights on building a coaching culture within an organization. Aside from being the Head of National Leadership Development of BDO USA, Christy is a certified Co-Active coach. She highlights how she discovered coaching, which she considers a 'superpower', and advocates for its integration in the workplace. She believes coaching can truly enhance leadership and improve the personal well-being of employees, which drives team productivity and results in achieving company goals and success.
For anyone looking to cultivate effective developmental strategies within their organization, tune into this insightful conversation that explores how embracing these practices can lead to significant individual and corporate growth. In This Episode:
- Christy defines coaching as a "superpower" that helps others help themselves through curiosity, genuine listening, and powerful questioning.
- The distinction between advising and coaching in professional roles.
- Her personal story about discovering positive leadership and meeting Steve Gladys led to embracing a coaching approach within BDO.
- How experiencing effective coaching firsthand influenced Christy’s mission to establish a culture of coaching at work.
- The impact of receiving personal executive coaching on her own development as a leader and mother.
- Challenges faced while integrating coach training into corporate structure amidst priorities like workload pressures and measuring the ROI.
- Strategies for implementing a culture of coaching include starting with foundational skills like questioning and listening.
- Advice for other organizations looking to foster their own cultures around strengths-based leadership: start small but stay persistent in sharing your vision; integrate external coaches along with developing internal leaders’ capabilities; be flexible in customizing programs according to company culture without losing core methodologies or values alignment.
- Christy also emphasizes how important it is for vendors partnering with companies like BDO to understand unique organizational cultures.
About Christy:Christy King founded and leads the National Leadership Development function for BDO USA, one of the largest Accounting and Consulting firms in the country. She has 20+ years of experience in people development and is known for her passion for developing leaders and empowering them with the insights and self-awareness to help them “show up” as their authentic selves. Fixed on the goal to build a coaching culture at BDO and a firm believer that coaching is one of the most impactful development tools we can offer leaders, Christy has partnered over the years with her team and strategic leaders throughout the firm to build a robust and progressive leadership development approach and resources that weave coaching concepts and resources throughout. Christy herself is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), working toward ICF professional coach certification.
She believes that everyone is a leader, regardless of level, and that we all have opportunities to model excellence, leading ourselves and others, and helping people thrive every day.
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christylking
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In celebration of the 2024 International Coaching Week, we bring together a panel of esteemed coaches to share their experiences and discuss what it means to be an elder in this profession in our third season of Wisdom From Our Elders. Our guests include Judith Cohen, Sookgi Han, Sam House, Sharna Fey, and Dori-Ben Chanoch, each offering unique perspectives on the evolution of coaching and its profound impact.
This conversation is rich with anecdotes highlighting each coach's practices and practical tools that help them show up as their more effective selves. Please join us as we unwrap their timeless wisdom and learn how to apply it to our lives.
Whether you’re just beginning your coaching journey or are seeking inspiration after years in practice, tune into this episode filled with heartfelt stories and hard-won lessons sure to resonate deeply with everyone!
In this Episode:
- Get acquainted with our panelists, who collectively have over a century's worth of coaching experience.
- Discover insights from Judith Cohen, the longest-serving certification examiner in coaching history.
- Learn about how Soogki Han has championed Co-Active Coaching in South Korea and her pride in leading quality workshops.
- Explore Sam’s journey through coactive coaching across various cultures, including China, Japan, Korea, the Middle East, Europe, Spain, and North America.
- Hear about Sharna's impact on bringing coactive coaching skills into corporations while being an active member of the queer community.
- Uncover Dori’s role in spreading coactive training outside North America into Europe and the Middle East – challenging misconceptions about its application within organizations.
- Get insights on personal practices that enable each coach to deliver their best work, such as mindfulness, reading, writing memos, walking, and engaging hobbies.
- Discover the definition of an 'elder' within the context of professional coaching and the joy and responsibility that comes with being identified as one.
**Panel:
Judith Cohen, MCC, CPCC, MSW**
Website: https://coachjudithcohen.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjudithcohen/
Sookgi Han, PCCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sookgi-han-14910823/
Sam House, MCC, CPCCLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-house-62154b3/
Sharna Fey, PCC, CPCCWebsite: https://www.sharnafey.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharnafey/
Dori Ben-Chanoch, PCC, CPCC, ICFLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dori-ben-chanoch-660468/
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we’ve recorded a special episode to celebrate the upcoming International Coaching Week 2024 by discussing why at UpLevel we take the time to celebrate, and in this case - celebrate our profession and why honoring our Elders is so important to us.
As a tradition, we continue to bring together a panel of seasoned coaches to be our guests and share their nuggets of wisdom, unique lived experiences, and valuable insights, highlighting the profound impact of coaching on their lives and the countless individuals they helped who have been transformed and empowered by coaching.
Whether you're a coach, a coach in training, or an individual inside an organization looking for inspiration, we encourage you to tune into previous years’ discussions while eagerly awaiting the new episode of “Wisdom From Our Elders: Part III” to be released on May 15th, 2024; offering timeless wisdom applicable across various stages of life's journey.
In this Episode:
- A brief overview of International Coaching Week and its significance to coaches worldwide.
- The importance of acknowledging and honoring mentors who paved the way for current coaching practices.
- The evolution of the coaching profession and how far it has come since its inception.
- Personal transformation on how coaching has transformed lives, enhanced relationships, and provided tools for healing and growth.
- The importance of why celebrating milestones is as crucial as achieving them and understanding the need to savor accomplishments rather than rushing onto the next goal
- Insights on why elders' wisdom is considered guidance and vital in navigating today’s challenges within both professional spheres and personal lives.
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, hear our special guest, Dr. Henryk Krajewski, as we delve into the tangible and intangible benefits of coaching in the workplace. He is a seasoned management consultant who has worked with public and private organizations across North America and beyond, serving both high-growth founders and large-scale enterprise CEOs. With his extensive experience in enhancing managerial performance and collaboration within organizations, Dr. Henryk shares valuable insights on how small changes can lead to significant impacts. He emphasizes the importance of genuine curiosity, humor, empathy, direct communication, and mutual accountability in successful coaching relationships.
So, if you’re looking to uplevel your leadership practices or insights on leadership development through coaching, this episode is for you! Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Hear the challenge of measuring ROI for coaching due to its intangible nature.
- Discover how simple "say and do's" can have a profound impact on organizational climate and performance.
- Listen to Dr. Henryk as he describes the distinction between coaching as facilitating thought partnership versus advisory roles that may involve advice or shared experiences.
- Dr. Henryk traces his path back to discovering industrial/organizational psychology during his university days.
- Get insights about the evolution of workplace coaching from remedial measures to a proactive strategy for unlocking potential ahead of major changes or acquisitions.
- Dr. Henryk advocates injecting humor and authenticity into conversations while maintaining accountability. He also emphasizes the use of trinkets or notes as reminders for leaders to engage more effectively during interactions. And encourage the use of emotional words to humanize their approach and build stronger connections with teams.
- Learn effective feedback mechanisms for leaders and teams, including peer groups for shared experiences and structured accountability processes.
About Henryk:Dr. Henryk Krajewski has a 19-year track record of helping CEOs and executive teams generate unique solutions to their toughest challenges. Henryk specializes in working with teams to improve trust and the speed and quality of their outputs. Certified by INSEAD’s Blue Ocean Strategy Institute, Henryk also helps teams build competitive strategies that unlock new value. Representative CEOs and executive team clients include BMO, Eli Lilly, PCL, Aecon, Cornerstone, Deloitte, Crosslinx, and PSPC / Centre Block. Henryk works extensively in Private Equity due diligence and post-acquisition team-based work to enhance management performance.
Prior to joining Kilberry, Henryk was the owner of two independent CEO advisory firms and previously held the role of Practice Lead for Talent Solutions at Right Management.
Dr. Krajewski publishes extensively in Forbes and has previously written for Profit Magazine, the Financial Post, the Globe and Mail, National Post, HR Reporter, and HR.com. Henryk holds a Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Western University.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/henryk.krajewski_phd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henryk-krajewski-ph-d-65b6312/
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we're joined by Holli Ilderton, a seasoned leader at global retailer Lululemon. With over ten years of experience in leadership, Holli shares her journey from management to embodying coaching principles and how tapping into individual values and resilience has transformed her personal experiences and significantly impacted organizational dynamics.
For anyone looking to enhance their approach to leadership through integrating coaching or those already practicing and seeking affirmation, this insightful conversation underscores why such endeavors are worthwhile pursuits. Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Holli’s introduction as a seasoned manager and trainer who has spent over a decade at Lululemon.
- Get insights on how Lululemon integrates coaching into everyday management practices as a core value.
- Holli describes how receiving internal coaching helped her navigate personal challenges while maintaining professional responsibilities.
- Insights into how developing leaders through coaching can lead to profound changes within an organization.
- Get a glimpse of Holli’s day-to-day management of a large retail operation and how she incorporates coaching techniques with both staff and customers.
- The transformative power of deep listening, metaphors, bottom-lining techniques, and third-level listening skills in effective management.
- Listen to an anecdote about using curiosity and deep listening skills to help an employee uncover root issues affecting her performance, leading to significant personal growth and career advancement for the individual involved.
- Hear Holli compare her managerial approaches before coaching and after coaching, highlighting the increased directness, empowerment, accountability, strategic development planning, and ultimately improved outcomes for team members' growth paths.
- Uncover the distinctions between providing feedback vs engaging in a coaching conversation.
About Holli:Holli is a Co-Active trained coach who has worked for global retailer Lululemon as a manager and internal leadership development coach for over a decade.
Her work centers around the idea that when we as individuals can tap into our own values, our own uniqueness, and our resilience, we not only elevate how we experience our own lives, but we also impact how organizations and ultimately how global systems operate.
Website: https://www.holliilderton.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holliildertoncoaching/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holli-ilderton/
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we explore the transformative power of coaching in professional settings with our special guest, Vimal Shyamji, a seasoned leadership coach and senior manager at a large tech company. With over 200 individuals under his guidance and an impressive background that spans tech, finance, and manufacturing recruitment, Vimal brings a wealth of experience to our discussion on the ROI when incorporating coaching into workplace dynamics. Vimal also emphasized how coaching changed his life and shaped his career and approach to organizational management.
Don't miss this insightful conversation filled with actionable takeaways for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of effective leadership through the lens of professional coaching. Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Listen to how Vimal's unexpected journey from aspiring high school math teacher to business administration graduate set him up for success in the corporate world.
- Hear Vimal’s initial dismissiveness of coaching and learn how he got into the world of coaching and how it revolutionized his perspective and practices as a leader.
- Discover how Vimal’s theological principles align with core coaching beliefs about human potential and creativity while overcoming insecurities linked to mathematical prowess.
- Be enlightened by Vimal’s personal growth and how he embraced uncertainty and emotional richness rather than suppressing them. A shift from problem-solving focus to empowering others' capabilities.
- Hear Vimal's insights into leading during uncertain times such as the pandemic by establishing foundational values that resonate within teams.
- Vimal shares a tool such as breathwork for navigating stressful situations in the workplace and personal upheaval.
- Hear Vimal’s perspective on how challenging leaders move beyond temporary fixes towards long-term fulfillment by tapping into their true selves instead of meeting external standards.
- Vimal encourages curiosity about different perspectives to foster inclusion and belonging within diverse work environments.
About Vimal:Vimal Shyamji is a leadership coach and a Senior Manager of Global Recruiting for a large tech company.
He currently leads a matrix org of 200-plus individuals supporting the hyper-growth of this organization's cloud business. Prior to that, he led global recruiting for a different department within the organization, including the integration of a 2000-person acquisition in Taiwan. Before moving to the Bay Area seven years ago, he worked for recruitment firms moving from Tennessee to Boston to Los Angeles, building teams in tech, finance, and manufacturing. He initially attended Lee University with a plan to teach high school math before pivoting to obtain a degree in business administration with a minor in theology. Vimal completed his coach training with the Co-Active Training Institute. Equipped with a diverse skill set encompassing relationship-building, trust-building, consistency, iOS development, JavaScript, and of course coaching, Vimal offers invaluable expertise to the industry.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimalshyamji/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vimalshy/
X: https://twitter.com/vimalshy
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we delve into the profound impact of coaching within organizations. Our special guest, Susie Ade, shares her extensive experience and insights from working over a decade at Google, where she utilized coaching skills in various roles, and reveals how embracing a coaching mindset can transform individual careers and enhance overall workplace well-being. As a certified professional Co-Active coach and an advocate for mental health, Susie discusses her journey from discovering coaching to implementing it as a tool for personal and organizational growth. In this Episode:
- Hear about Susie’s background in mindfulness and meditation and her decade-long career at Google, leading various programs.
- Discover how she transitioned from corporate roles to pursuing a full-time coaching practice.
- Listen to powerful insights into overcoming limiting beliefs through professional coaching support.
- Explore the strategies used by Google managers, such as a two-day training course called “Search Inside Yourself,” to foster psychological safety and emotional intelligence.
- Discover learning techniques such as deep listening (Levels 1–3) that lead to better understanding and problem-solving within teams.
- Hear Susie share stories addressing imposter syndrome among employees and empowering them to navigate remote work complexities amid the pandemic.
- Learn Susie’s advice on how to integrate coaching tools into management practices while building rapport and trust with direct reports.
About Susie:
With a mission to guide individuals toward their inner calling and life's purpose, Susie Ade combines her background in mindfulness, meditation, and coaching to help people discover what they want out of life and how to get it. She’s a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coaching Federation.
Susie spent the last 10 years at Google leading programs across Marketing, Trust and Safety, and People Development. Most notably, she spent several years creating sustained well-being and psychological safety within organizations as the Global Program Manager for Mental Health and Well-Being. During her time at the company, she coached hundreds of employees on reaching the next level or pivoting into a new career. In September of 2023, she left Google to pursue her career coaching practice full-time.
Susie lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She enjoys running, reading about the mystics and spirituality, and traveling the world with her loved ones.
Website: https://www.susieade.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-ade-514a2626/
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Welcome back, UpLevelers!
This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we are kicking off a brand-new season and diving into the “ROI of Coaching in the Workplace.” Our special guest is a true pioneer in the field, Eric Kohner. Eric is not just an executive coach; he's a seasoned trainer and a trailblazer in the coaching profession. He is currently a senior trainer for the Co-Active Training Institute, an organization widely recognized as the gold standard in coach training and leadership development. Join us as Eric shares captivating stories from the early days of coaching, shedding light on its origin story and the key players who laid the groundwork for what we now recognize as coaching. His journey spans over two decades within a single organization where he championed the integration of coach training, witnessing firsthand the transformative power of coaching within corporate landscapes.
In this Episode:
- Discover how Eric transitioned from acting to consulting and eventually embraced coaching long before it became mainstream.
- Learn about the shift from consulting actors to realizing these powerful tools could benefit professionals across all industries, leading to broader applications within various organizations.
- Understand why Eric believes developing coaching skills is essential for modern leaders facing Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) environments.
- Celebrate two decades of partnership between Eric and global consultancy firm Capgemini.
- Get insights into what makes a 21st-century leader through the BADASS acronym—Bold, Authentic, Disruptive, Agile, Spacious & Supportive—and learn about integrating different aspects like heart and intuition beyond rational thinking.
- Reflect on how embracing vulnerability has shifted Eric’s approach over time—from fierce confrontation toward softer engagement while maintaining bold authenticity as part of his brand identity.
- Hear about Eric’s efforts outside corporate walls as he engages with marginalized communities and brings leadership development programs to correctional facilities—work inspired by a personal reckoning upon turning 65 years old.
- Gain perspective on how personal experiences shape our responses during times of crisis or conflict.
About Eric:Eric is an executive coach, senior trainer, and pioneer in the coaching profession. He is known for his passion, where he coaches from the heart with compassion, intuition, and fearlessness. From this space, Eric co-creates with clients--from corporate executives to social justice champions--to disrupt the status quo and discover their fullest potential as leaders. Eric is the principal of his own Coaching and Leadership Development company, ekcoSYSTEM. His signature program is the BADASS Leadership Program. This program has been delivered inside organizations such as Capgemini, ING, and Sony Music Entertainment. Eric is also committed to bringing Leadership Coaching to underrepresented communities. He spearheaded CTI’s collaboration with SNUG (guns spelled backward), an anti-gun violence organization in New York State.
Website: https://www.ekcosystem.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-kohner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.kohner/
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In this season finale episode of the UpLevel Podcast, our hosts Christie Mann and Rachel Baldi reflect on their journey through a season dedicated to “Leading Through Crisis, Chaos, and Change.” Join us as they discuss key takeaways and a comprehensive overview of the insights into up-leveling by integrating practical tools and inspiration shared by our esteemed guests over the past three months.
We encourage you to listen to the whole season of Leading Through Crisis, Chaos, and Change,” to get practices that will reconnect you with yourself amidst adversity.
As we close this season filled with growth-oriented dialogues remember: each one of us has a role in leading humanity forward through these turbulent times, with compassion resilience, creativity, and don't forget playfulness too!
Tune into any episodes you may have missed or revisit those that resonated most deeply—and carry forward these lessons into your everyday life. Let’s uplevel now!
Here’s the line-up:
- “Living in Rhythm Amidst Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Sunday Phillips
- “Harnessing the Power of Profound Intimate Leadership” with Neil Edwards
- “Embracing Womb Wisdom in Life and Leadership” with Anabel Vizcarra
- “Navigating Grief in the Workplace During Times of Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Margo Fowkes & Che Marville
- “Leading with Kindness Amidst Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Jeff Jacobson
- “Embracing Kundalini Yoga for Leadership and Life” with Shabadpreet Khalsa
- “Championing Humanity in the Workplace Amidst Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Lisa Goren
- "Courage Amidst Conflict: Navigating Perspectives and Paradoxes During Times of Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Yara Ben Chaim
- “Awakening Original Wisdom in Times of Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Donna Bond
- “The Human Competitive Advantage for Leading Through Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Bryan Kramer
- “Embracing Matriarchal Wisdom in Times of Crisis, Chaos, and Change” with Karen Kimsey House
In this Episode:
- This season focused on bridging spiritual practices with practical business applications and discussions that encompassed well-being, relationships, and navigating life through crisis, chaos, and change.
- Listen to our guests from various backgrounds as they share wisdom and perspectives tailored for anyone facing change or challenges.
- Hear techniques ranging from breathwork to somatic practices aimed at finding one's center and discover practices that establish routines that support mental health and stability during tough times.
- Discover leadership redefined beyond title as an intrinsic human quality rather than a corporate position.
- A heartfelt thank you and gratitude to our remarkable guests for their invaluable contributions.
- Embrace the power of silence in facilitating deeper understanding alongside building profound intimacy within personal and professional spheres.
- Dive into the five buckets of kindness as leadership is highlighted as an essential trait for leaders today.
- Learn how to navigate conflicts by stressing the importance of listening before speaking—a lesson in humility and respect across differing experiences.
- Hear insights about how embracing feminine energy within all genders was pivotal.
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Karen Kimsey-House, a beacon of hope and guidance, and a pioneer in leadership coaching and co-founder of the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI). As our world grapples with unprecedented challenges, Karen shares her profound insights on navigating crisis, chaos, and change through what she describes as matriarchal wisdom energy. This episode offers guidance not only for leaders within organizations but also for individuals facing extreme adversities worldwide who seek ways to maintain their humanity while striving toward creating a world that works inclusively for everyone.
Join us in this enlightening conversation filled with wisdom from a seasoned leader who has navigated both personal transformations and contributed significantly towards shaping modern and cutting-edge coaching and leadership methodologies. Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Karen discusses her perspective on global tensions and how they might signal an opportunity for something new to emerge.
- Reflecting on pivotal moments that shaped her journey—from leaving the theater to birthing CTI.
- She provides insight into the 'co-active' technology—a blend of being (co-) and doing (-active)—emphasizing love over fear as a powerful tool for personal growth and societal change.
- Addressing those in extreme situations like war zones or survival modes, Karen speaks about maintaining humanity while managing immediate needs.
- Explore how nature, meditations, and yoga are among the practices that keep Karen grounded amidst adversity.
- Discover stories about coaching within prison systems and leadership programs in Israel.
- Understanding the cancel culture's intent while advocating conversation beyond its limitations; exploring repair through dialogue rather than division.
- Karen emphasizes the significance of evolving feminine leadership exemplified by figures like New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
About Karen:One of the earliest recognized luminaries in the coaching profession, Karen Kimsey-House founded CTI in 1992 with Laura Whitworth and Henry Kimsey-House. They created the Co-Active philosophy of relationship that informs CTI’s world-renowned coaching and leadership programs. She also is a blogger for The Huffington Post and the co-author of Co-Active Coaching, the best-selling industry bible, now in its third edition. A successful entrepreneur, Kimsey-House founded and directed the Learning Annex San Francisco adult education program in 1986 and grew it into one of the most admired programs under the national Learning Annex brand. She received her MFA in Communications and Theater from Temple University in Philadelphia. Committed to pioneering Co-Activity in challenged environments and troubled populations, Kimsey-House continues to lead CTI workshops and is a dynamic keynote speaker around the world. On a mission of global, transformative change, she lives with her husband, Henry Kimsey-House, in Ashland Oregon.
Website: https://coactive.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kimsey-house-48a5458/
X: https://twitter.com/kkimseyhouse
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we're joined by the insightful and inspiring Bryan Kramer, a renowned business strategist, global keynote speaker, executive trainer, and coach, investor, two-time bestselling author, and Forbes contributor. Bryan is a shining example of authentic leadership, embodying a profound balance between ambition and empathy. As a thought leader on human connection in digital spaces, he emphasizes engagement as the key metric for success both personally and within organizations. Bryan shares his insights on the importance of personal connection and how being human is a competitive advantage in leading through crisis, chaos, and change.
Bryan believes embracing our humanity is the ultimate power, and he's here to shed light on what that truly means.
In this Episode:
- Bryan describes our era as one filled with chaos, turmoil, hate, vitriol, an overwhelming quest for balance, and the hidden opportunities beneath.
- Insights about the evolution from early social media excitement to today’s challenge of maintaining genuine connections amidst AI advancements.
- Hear why "being human" is your competitive advantage – fostering authenticity rather than relying on automated interactions.
- Bryan emphasizes the importance of authentic engagement over templated communication and strategies for enhancing personal engagement.
- Bryan highlights that leaders need to invest in their employees' well-being beyond work productivity, leading to loyalty and improved performance.
- Hear how simplifying life by disconnecting from overwhelming news sources can lead us back to trusting ourselves more deeply.
- Bryan shares his experience transforming agencies from traditional models to digital powerhouses. He stresses adaptability and continuous learning as key drivers for growth amidst change.
- Bryan talks about his sobriety journey and how he got through it by having a support system—not only did it help him achieve sobriety but also allowed him to contribute more meaningfully across different facets of life including family bonds and professional endeavors.
- Discover the three pillars essential for trust, including simplicity, empathy, and imperfection.
About Bryan:Bryan Kramer is a renowned business strategist, global keynote speaker, executive trainer and coach, investor, two-time bestselling author, and Forbes contributor. As President and co-owner of PureMatter, a Silicon Valley global marketing agency since 2001, and CEO of H2H Companies, he sparked the Human-to-Human “H2H” global movement that sets out to humanize business through simpler communication, empathy, and celebrating our imperfections. His TED Talk featured a TED “first” – allowing mobile devices during the event to illustrate his belief that even a small inspirational share holds the power to change the world for the better. Bryan has spoken all over the world, over 200 times at global companies including Mastercard, L‘oreal Paris, NASA, GoDaddy, Harvard University, Charles Schwab, SXSW, International Culinary Institute, Verizon, Dell, NFL, and Hawaii Lodging & Tourism, to name a few.
Website: https://bryankramer.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanjkramer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bryankramer1/
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we welcome a spiritual life and business coach, thought leader, catalyst for personal transformation, ignitor of light, and author of Original Wisdom: Harness the Power of the Authentic You, the one and only, Donna Bond. Her unwavering dedication lies in empowering individuals to master our consciousness and the significance of our original wisdom during times of crisis, chaos, and change. She is a beacon of light and a champion of love in its purest form. Through her guidance, we learn how to initiate our journey as inner leaders, a crucial precursor to leading others in various spheres of life, be it projects, missions, families, or communities. Donna Bond's narrative serves as a compelling testament to the transformative power of her work.
In this Episode:
- The bond between Christie and Donna as they both attended a master's program in spiritual psychology
- Donna shares her transition from a 28-year corporate career to pursuing a more meaningful path after experiencing an awakening at age 45.
- Discover original wisdom as the inherent intelligence rooted in the unconditional love that each individual possesses.
- Transformation through awareness, which emphasizes changing one’s relationship with thoughts and emotions to inspire transformative actions guided by original wisdom.
- The four intelligences—intellectual (IQ), emotional (EQ), physical (PQ), and spiritual (SQ)—that contribute to holistic self-awareness
- Donna’s practices for tuning in, such as meditation and workshop participation. She unveils her upcoming workshop called "Transformation: Changing Your Relationship to Life"
- Donna discusses her battle with breast cancer, which was revealed through meditation practice, emphasizing its importance in raising awareness.
About Donna:At the age of 44, at the top of her game, Donna woke up with the realization that “all this” wasn’t “all that!” She was mentally stuck, emotionally unfulfilled, physically exhausted, and spiritually bankrupt. After a 28-year long run as a corporate marketing executive who “had it all” Donna enrolled herself in a master’s program in Spiritual Psychology which changed her life in every possible way. Donna offers inspiring classes, workshops, and transformative in-depth life-coaching programs designed to help you break free of the self-imposed limitations and old stories of “not-enough-ness”.
A graduate of the University of Santa Monica Donna holds a Master of Arts in Spiritual Psychology with an emphasis on Consciousness, Health, and Healing as well as her Soul-Centered Professional Coaching and Soul-Centered Facilitation certifications. She and her husband, award-winning oil painter Paul Bond, live part-time in Southern California and Costa Rica.
Website: https://donnabond.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnabond/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/donnabondcoach/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@donnabond
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we dove deep into the heart of Israel with our incredible guest, Yara Ben Chaim, the owner of Foresta-Global and the guiding force behind Foresta Leadership Institute. Yara shares her raw experience of daily uncertainty and the emotional toll it takes on individuals living in a war-torn country. She discusses the challenge of maintaining faith in a higher power and humanity during times of conflict.
Join us in this intimate conversation filled with inspiration and insights around courageously facing adversity with authenticity; leveraging spirituality for guidance; embracing silence for inner peace; connecting with nature; and appreciating different perspectives based on lived experiences—all forming part of coping mechanisms during relentless crisis, chaos, and change. Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Hear Yara open up about the emotional toll and intimate nature of living in a small country at war and how constant exposure to violence challenges her faith in humanity but strengthens her spiritual beliefs.
- Hear about the struggles with safety amid terror attacks and balancing survival mode with everyday life routines.
- Yara reflects on holding multiple perspectives while navigating a crisis.
- Explore how authenticity becomes essential when superficial concerns fade against the backdrop of life-and-death situations.
- Discover how integrating spirituality into organizational leadership without overt religious language fosters deep listening and soulful connections within teams.
- Yara shares her challenges faced while facilitating leadership training under duress—how moments like rocket attacks interrupt sessions requiring resilience and adaptability.
- Yara shares powerful anecdotes about losing her voice—an experience that led to introspection, humility, understanding introversion better, recognizing the power of words (and their absence), and connecting more deeply with grace, spirit, and love.
About Yara:As the owner of Foresta-Global and the guiding force behind Foresta Leadership Institute, she is dedicated to supporting and collaborating with clients on a global scale. Her reach extends across diverse regions, including Europe, the United States, South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Yara's deep understanding of the challenges posed by multiculturalism is grounded in her own cultural background, which encompasses American, French, and Israeli heritage.
What truly sets Yara apart is her keen ability to discern the precise needs of her clients and tailor effective solutions to meet them. This talent has led to significant advancements in both organizational and personal development, characterized by purposeful outcomes and a heightened sense of personal significance in their endeavors.
At Foresta Leadership Institute, Yara and her team work tirelessly to empower individuals and organizations to thrive in an interconnected world, with a commitment to excellence and a global perspective.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaramizrahicpcc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yara.mizrahi/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yarabenchaim/
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we sit down with a former roommate and fellow CTI Leadership program coach, Lisa Goren. As a former talent agent turned Chief People & Culture Officer for a $2.5 billion integrated health system in the Pacific Northwest, leading a team of 100+ HR professionals who support 14,000 employees in US healthcare, she shares her profound journey from personal crisis to professional triumph navigating the complexities of today's healthcare system. Her insights on strategies for supporting teams during prolonged crises like the pandemic will show how leaders can inspire by connecting deeply to their purpose.
We encourage you to listen to this heartfelt conversation for a human-centric leadership approach filled with vulnerability, wisdom, and humor, all wrapped up with actionable advice for anyone looking to lead effectively amidst crisis, chaos, and change. Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Christie and Lisa share their bond forged during their CTI Leadership program.
- Discover why the current state of chaos is likened to "Sharknado," especially within US healthcare.
- Hear Lisa’s insights on how the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the US healthcare system and its impact on workers.
- Explore strategies and ways for organizations to provide safety nets beyond individual mindfulness practices or interventions.
- Lisa shares powerful personal stories including her mother’s medical ordeal which instilled resilience and purpose driving her dedication to improving healthcare cultures.
- The essential role purpose in guiding leaders through adversity and how we’re hungry for humor and joy in the workplace.
- Hear Lisa’s devising ways for people to strive towards creating an environment to experience more good days than bad - both practical and aspirational.
- The importance of leaders being vulnerable about their mental health journeys to humanize workplace culture.
- Personal anecdotes from Lisa with her family, two sons, and insights on the parenting journey.
This episode is in loving memory of Lisa's beloved mom, Sherry Goren.
About Lisa:Lisa Goren is an experienced human resources professional who is driven by one core principle—devising ways for people to have more good days (or at least more good ones than bad). She has spent the majority of her human resources career working in and with hospitals and health systems across the U.S. Currently, she is the Chief People & Culture Officer for a $2.5 billion integrated health system in the Pacific Northwest, leading a team of 100+ HR professionals who support 14,000 employees. Years of consulting in organizational development and change management – and formal training in an eclectic mix of human-centered practices – help her engage, educate, and motivate people to improve business performance and culture. Engaging others is central to all that she does and Lisa feels this particularly essential, given the unique pressures and stressors facing today’s healthcare workforce.
Website: https://lisagoren.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisagoren/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljgoren/
X: https://twitter.com/lghealthspeaker
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we welcome our special guest, Shabadpreet Khalsa, the CEO of the RA MA Institute. In this enlightening conversation, Shabadpreet unveils the transformative power of Kundalini yoga and meditation for awakening a person’s inner strength and clarity. As a seasoned practitioner and business leader, Shabadpreet shares her insights on how these ancient practices can be leveraged to navigate through crisis, chaos, and change.
This engaging conversation will encourage you to find alignment with your mission by engaging in practices that connect you to something greater than yourselves, an increasingly non-negotiable aspect in today's world. Tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Experience a brief guided practice led by Shabadpreet called 'Ego Eradicator,' a technique beneficial for clearing the mind and reducing anxiety, ideal between meetings or during stressful moments.
- Explore the pillars of Kundalini yoga, Breathwork, physical postures, mantra, and meditation that come together in this holistic practice that offers profound benefits for mental clarity and emotional balance.
- Discover Shabadpreet’s pivotal first class in New York City that eventually led her to Rama Institute under Guru Jagat’s mentorship.
- Discover the meaning of the term “Rama” which signifies the balance between solar ('Ra') energy and lunar ('Ma') forces.
- Reflections after Guru Jagat's passing in 2021, and Shabadpreet stepping up as CEO of Rama Yoga Institute.
- Tips on connecting deeply with personal missions include setting clear intentions about ideal work environments; trusting intuitive guidance systems; embracing spiritual practices; finding nourishment through routine self-care; utilizing manifestation techniques; and believing in one’s capabilities as a creator.
About Shabadpreet:Shabadpreet Khalsa is the CEO of RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology with locations in Venice, California; Mallorca, Spain; New York City, and virtually on RA MA TV. At the side of her teacher and RA MA’s Founding CEO, Guru Jagat for 8 years from shortly after the opening of the Venice flagship to Guru Jagat’s sudden and unexpected death in 2021, Shabadpreet served as Guru Jagat’s Chief of Staff, implementing Guru Jagat’s trail-blazing vision and supporting the fruition of RA MA’s physical and digital expansion from a wellness start-up to an internationally recognized global phenomena.
With the passing of Guru Jagat, Shabadpreet continues RA MA’s mission as a crossroads of consciousness, well-being, and creation culture. Known for her healing approach, Shabadpreet can also be found teaching in RA MA’s Kundalini Trainings and their Global Women’s Programs.
Website: https://www.shabadpreet.com/
Shabadpreet’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabadpreet11/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shabadpreet/
RA MA's Website: https://ramayogainstitute.com/
RA MA Institute’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ramainstitute/
Youtube: @RAMATVYOGA
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, join us for a great conversation about the transformative power of leading with kindness through crisis, chaos, and change. Our guest is Jeff Jacobson, a professional coach and facilitator with over three decades of experience. Known for his fierce yet loving approach to coaching, Jeff shares his insights into what true kindness entails and provides actionable components that listeners can integrate into their leadership styles and personal growth.
This episode is about walking the walk toward being an embodiment of kindness — something we desperately need in today's world. Tune in now.
In this Episode:
- Christie reflects on how Jeff helped her have a significant impact on her life by challenging her to take responsibility during a pivotal moment.
- Jeff explores the true meaning of kindness beyond common misconceptions such as being a doormat or engaging in toxic positivity.
- Jeff introduces the five buckets of kindness: Clarity, Honesty, Sweetness (compassion), Play/Creativity, and Vulnerability.
- Christie and Jeff emphasize the importance of holding multiple perspectives and managing emotions constructively amidst disagreement or conflict.
- The conversation highlights seeking professional guidance or community support when dealing with strong reactions or changes is crucial for effective leadership.
- Personal stories from both Christie and Jeff, such as embracing awkward moments for humor's sake or acknowledging shared humanity within professional settings.
About Jeff:Jeffrey A. Jacobson, CPCC, PCC, is a professional coach and facilitator with 30+ years of experience in the coaching world. He works with clients to manage change, enhance performance, discover cutting-edge solutions, and create sustainable working environments. Prior to coaching and training, Jeff studied Asian culture and language for years throughout East and Southeast Asia and went on to teach Mandarin Chinese to business leaders from Ford, Motorola, and Texas Instruments. Jeff is on faculty at both the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), and the Trium Group, where he develops and delivers curriculum to coaches, managers, and leaders. He is a board member for Coaching for Everyone, an organization that brings coaching to BIPOC leaders in North America and beyond.
He lives with his partner and their cat in Portland, OR, and is the author of the novel “The Boy Who Couldn’t Fly Straight,” the first in his Young Adult queer paranormal adventure series (he likes adjectives!).
Website: https://jeffjacobsoncoaching.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-jacobson-cpcc-pcc-6b39a7/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffjacobsoncoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.jacobson.528
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, we delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of leading through times of crisis, chaos, and change: navigating grief in the workplace. We had the honor to have an enlightening duo conversation with our remarkable guests, Margo Fowkes, the founder and president of OnTarget Consulting Inc., and Che Marville, a transformational Wellness Expert, Certified International Yoga and Meditation Teacher, and Corporate Wellness Pioneer, who bring their extensive knowledge and personal experiences to an enriching discussion on leading through crisis, chaos, and change.
Don't miss this heartfelt exploration of a topic that touches many but is discussed by few within professional settings. Listen now to learn how you can lead compassionately through times of sorrow.
In this Episode:
- Margo and Che share poignant stories about their encounters with grief. Margo talks about her journey following her son's diagnosis of brain cancer, while Che reflects on losing her mother during the pandemic.
- With the current workplace housing five generations under one corporate roof, Margo and Che discuss why a one-size-fits-all approach falls short when dealing with grief. Explore how tailored support fosters trust and connection within diverse teams.
- Grief isn't limited to losing loved ones; it encompasses layoffs, missed promotions, or restructuring. Learn why acknowledging these losses is pivotal for organizational health.
- Delve into why ignoring grief is detrimental to employee engagement. Find out what happens when organizations choose silence over empathy.
- Uncover strategies for navigating difficult work dynamics post-layoffs or major changes without fear – by fostering open dialogue between employees and management.
- Transform your leadership skills by developing emotional intelligence that resonates with today’s workforce realities. Discover empathic leadership practices that align actions with words for genuine impact.
- Leaders need support, too! We discuss balancing managerial responsibilities while attending to personal emotional needs amidst tough decision-making processes.
- Witness firsthand accounts linking empathy directly with business growth—happy employees mean thriving companies!
About Che:Che Marville is a transformational Wellness Expert, Certified International Yoga and Meditation Teacher, Corporate Wellness Pioneer, and Podcaster. Che is a Keynote Speaker known for bringing science and well-being together, and she believes strongly in the unlimited potential of all human beings. Che has over two decades of training and coaching experience, she was CEO of the Marville Wellness Group, and she has trained over fifteen thousand health professionals and thousands of executives in the public and private sectors in mindfulness, human service, and wellbeing modalities.
About Margo:Margo Fowkes is the founder and president of OnTarget Consulting Inc., a firm specializing in helping organizations and individuals act strategically, improve their performance, and achieve their business goals. Author of the award-winning Leading Through Loss: How to Navigate Grief at Work, Margo also coaches leaders on how to create a more compassionate culture by acknowledging and speaking openly about grief and loss in the workplace.
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we’re experiencing a refreshing and empowering perspective from our special guest, Anabel Vizcarra, a Feminine Embodiment and Womb Wisdom Mentor. She is a visionary thinker who believes that crisis, chaos, and change are not just challenges to overcome but are extraordinary opportunities for rebirth and evolution—personally and collectively.
Anabel highlights her powerful metaphor of menstruation to describe our global state, just as the body cleanses itself during this natural cycle, shedding what is no longer needed for growth. She also shares how emotions are our allies and how we can confront and overcome our shadows so darkness will no longer hold us.
Anabel’s wisdom is truly overflowing.
In this Episode:
- Listen to how Anabel compares the global state to a period of menstruation where humanity is shedding what no longer serves its evolution.
- Explore how chaotic times can be seen as an opportunity for deep healing.
- A discussion about reevaluating business cycles that are currently operating from outdated models, emphasizing creativity over traditional brick-and-mortar approaches.
- A fascinating look at how aligning team roles based on individual menstrual cycles can enhance efficiency in business operations.
- Anabel shares an embodied practice focused on grounding oneself through belly breathing to cultivate presence over presentation—a crucial skill for leaders facing high-stress environments.
- Insights into cultivating inner wealth that includes relationships, community, and environment—transcending the poverty mindset, which isn't necessarily tied to financial status.
- A discussion on balancing spiritual integrity while embracing material success.
- From real estate entrepreneur at 18 dealing with personal struggles like workaholism and eating disorders to finding her calling in womb shamanism while maintaining worldly achievements.
- Tips on regulating emotions effectively within leadership roles without being overwhelmed by responsibilities or external pressures.
- Striving towards sovereignty rather than letting possessions define one’s identity, utilizing them as tools for self-expression instead.
About Anabel:Anabel Vizcarra is a Feminine Embodiment Mentor & Womb Wisdom Curandera. She teaches how to awaken and return to your own wise and prosperous wholeness through self-awareness, ancestral wisdom & emotional mastery. She believes that when we work with our own intelligent body rhythms, we naturally, remember the feminine energy we’ve disconnected from and are able to transform relationally and heal our lives. When we know where we come from, we embrace why we are here. Anabel guides women into trusting their own healing process & reconnecting to their inner source of potent feminine wisdom. Anabel’s body of work is a Womb Revival Movement informed by Womb Shamanism, Somatic Psychotherapy, Gene Keys Transmission, Ayurvedic medicine, Quantum Physics & Epigenetics.
Website: www.anabelvizcarra.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/anabel.vizcarra/
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This week on the UpLevel Podcast, we had the opportunity to have an insightful conversation with our special guest, Neil Edwards, an Executive Leadership Coach, and a Reflective Practitioner. He has almost three decades of expertise in coaching and leveraging various established trade tools. His approach to coaching and reflective practice stands as a guiding force toward profound growth. Join us as he emphasizes the vital role of profound intimacy in leadership and business during times of crisis. He also discusses that superficial interactions are insufficient for creating meaningful futures and solving complex problems.
Neil’s insights offer a fresh perspective on building trust and creating meaningful connections! So, tune into this enlightening conversation if you are looking forward to leading authentically through crisis, chaos, and change by harnessing the power of introspection!
In this Episode:
- Neil emphasizes that going beyond surface-level interactions is crucial for innovation and solving complex problems.
- Neil opens up about his experiences during the social crises of 2020; he highlights how staying engaged in difficult discussions led to forming some of his deepest relationships based on trust and truth-telling.
- Discover why intimacy is essential for understanding oneself better and increases the capacity to handle challenging situations and turbulent times.
- The equation includes credibility, reliability, and transparency (intimacy and empathy), and how often businesses overlook 'intimacy.' How addressing it head-on can foster stronger professional relationships.
- Reflecting on his upbringing surrounded by nurturing feminine energy from his mother's side helped him embrace both masculine and feminine energies within himself.
- Discover the 5 Cornerstones of working with Neil for a transformative journey.
- Integrating mind, heart, and body through physical practices, balancing giving/receiving dynamics in relationships, and connecting with nature.
- How drawing parallels between sailing dynamics illustrates how similar attentiveness required at sea applies equally across life's myriad of challenges, demanding adaptive strategies amidst constant flux without losing sight of overarching goals/horizons ahead.
About Neil:Neil Edwards believes that the world is at an inflection point. That the status quo needs to be broken, that it is time for unreasonable action, and that the solution is profound intimacy.
Neil has over 30 years of experience in technology consulting, healthcare, energy, law, public sector, non-profits, NGOs, consumer goods, and higher education. A Professional Certified Coach and Reflective Practitioner, he is substantially credentialed in coaching, change management, emotional intelligence, communication, inclusive leadership, intentional culture, and people development. His work is grounded in his multicultural experiences and thousands of hours of client engagement.
Originally from The Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Neil has resided in the US since 1997. He currently lives and works from the unceded tribal lands of the Nissenan indigenous people, near the Sierra Foothills in California with his wife and two daughters.
Website: https://www.neiledwardscoaching.com/
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This week on the new season of The UpLevel Podcast, our special guest to kick off the 2024 season: “Leading Through Crisis, Chaos, and Change,” is Sunday Phillips, a virtuoso in living in alignment, embodiment practices, and high-level astrology. She is an educator and life stylist in art and science and the founder of ‘Living in Rhythm.’ Join us for a transformative conversation on an astral journey that promises to elevate your spirit, sharpen your leadership skills, and align your cycles with those of the cosmos. Sunday’s story is truly inspiring and invaluable as we headstart this year with her wisdom.
So, tune in now and get ready to embrace cosmic insights to navigate through personal growth and ways to manage crises, chaos, and change gracefully.
In this Episode:
- Learn about 'Living in Rhythm,' an approach developed by Sunday that enables individuals to thrive rather than just survive.
- Discover high-level astrology projections for 2024 and how celestial shifts influence our collective experiences.
- Understand the importance of embodiment practices such as Kundalini yoga in developing oneself as both a leader and practitioner.
- Gain practical advice from Sunday’s origin story, which integrates movement, music, sound healing, and astrology into daily life.
About Sunday:
Sunday Phillips is an educator and life stylist in the art and science of Living in Rhythm. Strongly influenced by her diverse heritage, Sunday sources inspiration from a multitude of artistic styles and modalities. Her love and ongoing relationship with music, dance, pilates, yoga, holistic nutrition, and astrology have provided a dynamic foundation of powerful techniques for practical application and enduring wisdom. The culmination of her extensive studies and personal practice has become a way of life Sunday describes as Living in Rhythm. Born in Colorado to a culturally rich family with deep roots in service, Sunday brings creative arts and healing to life. Through personalized practices that calibrate the core, enhance self-awareness, and harmonize with life’s cyclical nature, Sunday’s uplifting and visionary approach to integrative movement and embodied wellness has successfully motivated her loyal clients to new levels of health, vitality, and personal fulfillment. It’s a lifestyle.
Website: https://www.livinginrhythm.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sista.sunday/
Youtube: @livinginrhythm
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This week on The UpLevel Podcast, join Rachel and Christie as they reflect on the insightful interviews they conducted with 16 incredible authors in the recent Publishing Summit series. They dove into the heart of writing purpose-driven books, celebrate the wisdom shared by each guest, and discuss why getting socially conscious content out into the world is more important than ever.
Listen to the whole Publishing Summit series and get inspired by each author as they bring their unique story of transformation, healing through storytelling, strategies against writer's block, and marketing maneuvers that actually work.
At UpLevel, we hope we empower more individuals to bring their voices into the world because we believe everyone has a story worth telling; let us help you share yours.
Here's the lineup:
- "How to Birth Your Socially Conscious Children's Book" with Christie Mann
- "Evolving Masculinity: How Embracing Vulnerability Can Lead to Personal and Professional Growth" with Christopher Veal
- "Unleashing Your Inner Rockstar: Building an Empire Through Your Book" with Megan Jo Wilson
- Branding and PR for Authors with Chrissy Bernal
- "Turning Pain into a Powerful Message" with Sabriah Reese
- "Unleashing Poetry in a Pandemic" with Abigail Prout
- "Crafting Your Story and Sharing It With Ease" with Gail Barker
- "Making Book Magic" with Kelley Knight
- "Harnessing the Power of Mindfulness and Intention" with Adam Taubenfligel
- "From Layoffs to Leadership: Cultivating Confidence and Collaborative Success" with Michelle Mehta
- "Speak Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up:" with Stephen Shedletzky
- "Unveiling Strength: A Journey from Caregiver to Author" with Lynn Abaté-Johnson
- "The Power of Purpose: Inspiring Socially Conscious Content for Business Success" with Afdhel Aziz
- "The Journey of Co-Creating and Birthing A Children's Book: Lessons in Representation, Grief, and Being the Bridge" with Rachel Baldi
In this Episode:
- Gratitude and acknowledgment of the time and wisdom shared by guests
- The importance of showcasing a wide range of human experiences through literature
- Insight into different publishing paths, from self-publishing to traditional routes, highlighting both struggles and triumphs.
- Authors share how writing served as a transformative healing process for them personally.
- Discussion on how books can enhance business credibility and become an integral part of one’s professional ecosystem
- The role that empathetic and understanding narratives play in shaping society during tumultuous times
If you want to get a jumpstart on learning more about publishing your own socially-conscious books, download our free Publishing Checklist.
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This week, on the final episode of the UpLevel Podcast’s Publishing Series, our special guest is our very own Rachel Baldi, co-founder of UpLevel Productions. We discussed her inspiring journey from converting to Islam to becoming a children's book co-writer. Rachel shared how she found solace in Islam's teachings of kindness, equality, peace, and compassion. She also gave us a sneak peek into, “Lil’ Amina and the Adventure of Grief,” the newest book in the emotional wellness children’s book series The Adventures of Lil’ Sass.
Listen in to this important conversation filled with insights from an inspiring co-writer who has used her personal experiences to create impactful content for both children and adults alike.
If you, too, believe in the power of storytelling as a means for social change or have insights on representing diverse cultures in literature, tune in now!
In this Episode:
- Learn about her journey from a London upbringing to becoming an influential figure in coaching and leadership development.
- Discover how kindness, equality, peace, and compassion led Rachel toward embracing Islam.
- Understand the motivations behind creating this emotional wellness book series for children and adults.
- Explore how representation, grief education/support, and bridging differing perspectives influenced Rachel's decision to write.
- Gain insights into how understanding your purpose can serve as motivation during challenging times.
- Experience the delight of transforming imagined characters into tangible realities through illustrations.
- Get a glimpse into hurdles like making late-stage edits or accurately representing faith without offending.
- Learn from Rachel’s experience handling sensitive topics such as religion in children's literature.
- Fostering understanding between cultures and religions through literature
About Rachel:Rachel is on a mission to empower and inspire those around her to lead their lives with conscious presence, authenticity, and responsibility. As the co-founder of UpLevel Productions and an Interfaith Advocate, Rachel brings her knowledge and expertise in coaching, leadership development, project management, workshop design, and facilitation to act as a conscious bridge between people of different cultures and religions to build healthy relationships. As a member of CTI’s Faculty and Graydin’s coaching team, Rachel has expanded her experience over the past decade through consultative sales, client relationship management, and program delivery with Leaders and Educators inside world-leading organizations. Rachel is a Certified End-of-Life and Grief Coach who is passionate about educating and providing essential safe space for people to acknowledge, express, and process their grief. A mother of 6 beautiful children and a Muslim woman of Islam Faith, Rachel is authentic, passionate, supportive, empowering, and, is here to UpLevel all and everyone she comes into contact with.
Website: https://www.rachelbaldi.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachel.baldi.754
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbaldi1/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-baldi/
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This week’s special guest on the UpLevel Podcast is Afdhel Aziz, a successful marketer turned purpose-driven brand consultant and Chief Purpose Officer of Conspiracy of Love. His journey from corporate life to becoming an advocate for social responsibility is truly inspiring. Afdhel's journey began with an eye-opening experience during the South Asian tsunami in Sri Lanka, which inspired him to shift focus from consumerism towards making meaningful contributions to society. This led him to co-author "Good Is The New Cool: Market Like You Give A Damn," highlighting the growing trend of purpose-driven brands.
Listen in to hear more about his philosophy, which revolves around continuous learning, stepping out of comfort zones, and focusing on what truly matters in life. He believes that joy stems not just from success but also from creativity and a balance between personal and professional lives.
In this Episode:
- Learn about Afdhel's background, including his career with global brands like Procter & Gamble, Nokia, Heineken, and Absolut Vodka.
- Discover his consultancy firm Conspiracy of Love.
- Explore his contributions as a speaker at renowned platforms such as TEDx and SXSW and as a writer for Forbes, focusing on business innovation through social purpose, among others.
- Hear about his commitment to maximizing privilege by expressing purpose through various means, including books that help organizations operate from a place of purpose.
- Listen to insights gathered from over 500 Forbes articles centered around individuals who've found their work's purpose, which informs his global talks, books, and consultancy services.
- Understand Tru Pettigrew's GPS methodology (Gifts/Passions/Serve)
- Gain inspiration from how storytelling became key in aligning passion with service, leading him to assist brands by his firm after realizing business could be used for good while writing “Good as New Cool.”
- Discover his insight into collaborative creativity and how their publishing strategy worked out great.
- Get a sneak peek into his upcoming third book, which encapsulates everything learned regarding finding one's true calling.
About Afdhel:Afdhel Aziz is a bestselling author, visionary founder, and keynote speaker. He is on a mission to solve one of the biggest problems facing individuals and companies in the 21st century: how to find purpose and meaning in their work and unlock the enormous power of business to do good in the world. He is the Founder and Chief Purpose Officer at Conspiracy of Love, a global purpose consultancy that works with Fortune 500 companies—including Adidas, PepsiCo, Sephora, Microsoft, Unilever, Diageo, AB InBev, and more—to help them grow their businesses by doing more good in the world.
He is also the Co-Founder of Good is the New Cool, a creative company and content incubator focused on creating positive stories that fill the Hope Gap. Afdhel is the co-author of the best-selling book “Good is the New Cool: Market Like You A Give a Damn" and the follow-up “The Principles of Purpose, as well as writing 'The Power Of Purpose” column in Forbes. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son.
Website: https://www.afdhelaziz.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afdhelaziz/
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This week’s special guest on the UpLevel Podcast is Shawn Miller, co-founder of Young, Hip, and Married and a devoted-loving husband and father to his wife and four children. With a background in NLP and professional coaching, Shawn has officiated over 1500 weddings across Canada and the US. Join us for this insightful conversation about his inspiring journey as an author who is just about to publish his first book. Hear about his triumphs, the obstacles he overcame, and his unique writing process, which involves speech dictation and a long-term editor who knows him inside out.
The launch of his book, "The Wedding Vow Handbook: Your Guide to Creating Kick-Ass Wedding Vows That Are Authentically Yours!" will soon be available on Amazon and their website, so stay tuned. And remember, it's time to let your authenticity shine through your words!
In this Episode:
- Discover how Shawn transitioned from aspiring pastor to professional coach after embarking on a self-discovery journey.
- Learn about his perspective on marriage as an entity separate from the individuals involved—one that requires constant transformation for growth.
- Hear about his unique approach to inclusivity in love and how he accommodates different forms of relationships.
- Gain insights into managing and leading a diverse team.
- Understand why recognizing strengths and weaknesses is crucial as an entrepreneur.
- Hear about his memorable experiences, which made him feel like he was chosen for this line of work.
About Shawn:
Married for over 19 years to his incredible wife Erica, Shawn’s most cherished roles include being a devoted husband and father to their four children (three boys and one girl). Together with Erica, he co-founded Young, Hip, and Married in 2010. This international officiating service is dedicated to helping couples express their love through the power of an intentional ceremony. Initially venturing into the wedding scene while advocating for Relationship Coaching, Shawn's background in NLP and Professional Coaching paved an unexpected path into the wedding industry. Since that serendipitous start, he has personally officiated over 1,500 weddings, with thousands more celebrated under the Young, Hip, and Married banner. Recognized multiple times for his exceptional officiating skills, Shawn now leads a team of over 35 officiants across Canada and the USA, positioning Young Hip & Married as a premier name in the wedding ceremony space. Shawn's passion for authentic love stories also led him to the world of online education. He offers a course guiding couples in writing sincere, touching wedding vows. And now, with the launch of his book, "The Wedding Vow Handbook: Your Guide to Creating Kick-Ass Wedding Vows That Are Authentically Yours!" Shawn aims to further empower couples in crafting wedding vows that truly resonate.
Website: https://www.younghipandmarried.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/younghipandmarried/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/younghipandmarried/
X: https://twitter.com/younghipmarried
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/tag/younghipandmarried
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This week’s guest on the UpLevel Podcast is the President Emerita at the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) and one of Fortune Magazine’s “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders,” Dr. C. Nicole Mason. Listen in to her inspiring journey from poverty to policy work, highlighting how personal narratives can shape our professional paths. She's not just breaking the cycle for herself but also creating a nurturing environment for her children, something she never had growing up. She also highlights her book, “Born Bright: A Young Girl’s Journey from Nothing to Something in America,” which serves as a memoir of her personal life experiences. Indeed, her story is filled with lessons we all can learn from.
In this Episode:
- Explore Dr. Mason's acclaimed book, where she challenges stereotypes about impoverished communities while sharing complexities from her own experiences.
- Discover how year-long procrastination led to an intense writing routine that resulted in “Born Bright: A Young Girl’s Journey from Nothing to Something in America.”
- Hear about Dr. Mason’s challenging yet enlightening encounters with family members who caused past traumas during her book-writing process.
- Family Reactions and Relationships Post-Publication
- The tragic loss led to reconnection with relatives at funeral services and plans for future gatherings.
- Hear about how being a single parent has been deeply healing amidst life's challenges for Dr. Mason.
About Dr. C. Nicole:
Recently named one of the “World’s 50 Greatest Leaders” by Fortune Magazine, Dr. C. Nicole Mason is President Emeritus of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). Having stepped into this role in November 2019, Dr. Mason was the youngest to lead one of the major inside-the-Beltway think tanks in Washington, D.C., and one of the few women of color to do so. As one of the nation’s foremost intersectional researchers and scholars, Dr. C. Nicole Mason brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. For the past two decades, Dr. Mason has spearheaded research on issues relating to economic security, pay equity, poverty, women’s issues, entitlement reforms; policy formation and political participation among women and communities of color, and racial equity.
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she coined the term “shecession” to describe the disproportionate impact of employment and income losses on women. Dr. Mason is the author of "Born Bright: A Young Girl’s Journey from Nothing to Something in America." Her writing and commentary have been featured in the New York Times, MSNBC, CNN, NBC, CBS, the Washington Post, Marie Claire, the Progressive, ESSENCE, Bustle, BIG THINK, Miami Herald, Democracy Now, and numerous NPR affiliates, among others.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cnicolemason/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cnicolemason/
X: https://twitter.com/cnicolemason
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/c-nicole-mason-793877188/
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had the privilege of having an intimate conversation with international best-selling author and global business consultant Lynn Abaté-Johnson. Her book "Out of Love: A Daughter's Journey with Her Mom to the End,"provides inspiration as she shares her journey as a caregiver for her mother.
Lynn’s story is proof that even in times of immense hardship, we can find strength within ourselves to inspire and uplift those around us by sharing our experiences honestly.
In this Episode:
- Caregiving Experience: Learn about Lynn’s transformative journey from being a business consultant to a full-time caregiver for her mother suffering from ovarian cancer.
- Writing as Therapy: Discover how journaling became a cathartic outlet for Lynn during challenging times and eventually led to the creation of her book.
- The Book: Explore the unique structure of Lynn’s book that combines factual reporting with a personal reflection on loss and caregiving experiences.
- Insights into Grief and Community Building: Understand how writing helped Lynn process grief while fostering global communities based on deep relationships.
- Writing Tips and Advice: Gain insights from Lynn's non-structured writing approach that emphasizes authenticity over comparison.
- Reflective Questions: Find out how inquiry questions help readers reflect on their own caregiving journeys.
About Lynn:
After being a primary caregiver for her mother for over six years, author Lynn Abaté-Johnson understands the typhoon of emotions and responsibilities that come with caring for a loved one. However, she discovered how to blossom through (and after) caregiving rather than let it drown her. Like most caregivers, Lynn juggled caregiving duties with a full-time career. In her daily life, she’s a business consultant and global community builder.
She’s been building businesses from the ground up from a young age, with her first business being a network of family roller skating rinks in the Detroit, Michigan, metro area. She is currently growing the global community as “the voice” of the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), one of the world’s most respected leadership development and professional coach training organizations.
As part of her devotion to developing global communities that make a difference by connecting human beings, she speaks with cohorts of caregivers to help them discover they’re not alone, everything’s going to be okay, and there are tools they can use to ease the burdens they might feel as caregivers.
Personal Website: https://www.lynnabatejohnson.com/
Website: https://www.lynnabatejohnsonbook.com/
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LynnAbateJohnson
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LAJBiz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lajbiz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LAJbiz
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lajbiz/
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had an enlightening discussion with Stephen Shedletzky, a renowned speaker, coach, author, and expert in fostering psychological safety at work. With over 15 years of experience and personal battles with communication barriers, Shed is on a mission to transform workplaces into spaces where every voice matters.
His book, "Speak Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up," encapsulates his philosophy on creating safe spaces for open dialogue at work. He emphasizes that leaders don't necessarily need charisma but should display empathy and compassion while listening attentively to their team members.
His journey so far has been inspiring, and we can't wait to see what he brings next in promoting psychological safety, diversity, and inclusion in workplaces worldwide.
In this Episode:
- Get to know Shed's journey from being a student at Richard Ivy School of Business to becoming an expert in workplace psychological safety.
- Discover insights from Shed's latest book "Speak Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up." Learn how it aims to improve communication within organizations.
- Hear about the pre-launch party of his new book at Indigo Chapters in Toronto—a place filled with nostalgia for him as his first date location!
- Gain valuable advice on marketing strategies that focus on organic growth over gimmicks or paid promotions.
- Understand why selling books can be challenging and how targeting specific groups like libraries, communities or organizations could lead to faster success.
- Shed emphasizes utilizing your network not just for personal gain but also for sharing something beneficial.
- Realize why publishing a book should align with your overall mission rather than being the ultimate goal itself.
- Learn from Shed's personal experiences—growing up with a stutter and marrying a speech therapist—that led him towards understanding fear associated with speaking up and overcoming communication barriers.
- Explore insights into creating work environments where individuals feel safe expressing themselves, leading to learning and growing together.
- Uncover how "Speak Up Culture" is more than just a business guidebook—it advocates compassion, empathy, and care in leadership.
About Stephen:Stephen Shedletzky, or “Shed” to his friends, helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. He supports humble leaders who know they are both a part of the problems they experience and the solutions they can create; as they put their people and purpose first. A sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world. As a thought leader on psychological safety in the workplace, he supports leaders and organizations in all industries where human beings work. He is the author of "Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up." Shed graduated from the Richard Ivey School of Business with a focus on leadership, communication, and strategy. He also received his coaching certification from The Co-Active Training Institute. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two young children.
Website: https://www.shedinspires.com
Book Website: www.speakupculture.com
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had an enlightening conversation with Michelle Mehta, a renowned confidence expert, international best-selling author, and TEDx speaker. She was named one of Yahoo Finance's “Top 11 female coaches to follow in 2021.” She is a testament to resilience, self-belief, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Michelle’s journey was not always smooth sailing. Facing several layoffs during her time in customer service acted as a trigger for self-reflection and growth. These experiences taught her that confidence isn't something you're born with; it's cultivated through practice and alignment with personal core values.
In this Episode:
- Seek out confidence-building strategies: Identify what matters most to you and ensure that your actions reflect these values.
- Consider collaborative authorship: This can provide an easier route into publishing and help form strong connections within a community of like-minded individuals.
- Use storytelling as empowerment: Embrace your own experiences and share them openly, as Michelle does in her books.
- Be open about mental health issues: Work toward reducing the stigma associated with subjects such as family traumas, cultural stereotypes, depression, and anxiety by discussing them openly yet respectfully.
- Practice Self-Validation (VALUE): Implement Michelle's five-step VALUE process in your daily routine - Validate yourself; Appreciate life; Love yourself; Understand strengths and weaknesses; Expand curiosity and willingness to learn
- Use Writing as Therapy: Try writing down traumatic experiences or challenges faced that could help identify significant events impacting one’s life.
- Share Stories Consciously: In case you share someone else’s narrative, always remember that seeking consent is important. Also, share stories more for healing and less for public recognition.
- Publish with Purpose: If you're considering publishing a book, think about the impact it will have on your readers. Make sure to publish with purpose and intentionality.
About Michelle:
Michelle Mehta is a confidence expert, TEDx speaker, and international best-selling author. She’s been featured on multiple media outlets, including ABC, and was named one of the “Top female coaches to follow in 2021” by Yahoo Finance. She knows what it’s like to live a life in the dark. She was bullied, and even after it stopped, she suffered from the trauma, which affected her self-worth. She created change in her own life and now helps high-profile clients and organizations lead happier and more confident lives where they love waking up each morning.
Website: https://www.michellemehta.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iammichellemehta
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammichellemehta/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammichellemehta/
Calendar Link: https://calendly.com/michellemehta/coffeechat
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had a captivating conversation with Adam Taubenfligel, the co-founder, creative director, and responsibility lead at Triarchy. We dove deep into his journey towards mindfulness, the discipline it took to write his book Setting an Intention: 11 Brief Lessons on Achieving Your Greater Good, and how he's using these principles in his denim production practices.
His journey is a powerful reminder that mindfulness and intentionality are crucial for personal growth. Adam also shared some valuable insights about self-talk, breaking negative patterns, and interacting with our younger selves with kindness. His message is clear - anyone with a vision can become a writer! It just takes overcoming self-doubt and embracing discipline.
Tune in and join us as we explore mindful living through intentional action!
In this Episode:
- Learn about Adam's path towards mindfulness, which began with recurring negative experiences leading him to question his life choices. His journey includes meditation, sobriety, and breathwork, which all contributed positively towards achieving clarity in life.
- Discover how overcoming initial hesitation about not being a writer was possible for Adam when he found inspiration from another concise book titled 7 Brief Lessons on Physics.
- Understand the intention behind writing his book—it became more than just readable content but also a handbook for life that can be picked up anytime.
- Hear why Adam wrote this book primarily for himself rather than aiming at reaching thousands or millions of people.
- Find out how reconnecting with his younger self helped Adam break harmful patterns and enhance personal growth.
- A sneak peek into the core concepts of his book is based on eleven lessons inspired by unclear relationships in his life that require deeper understanding.
About Adam:Adam Taubenfligel is an author and the co-founder of Triarchy, where he serves as the brand's creative director and responsibility lead. His visionary leadership has propelled Triarchy to the forefront of the fashion industry by pioneering innovative and sustainable denim production practices. With a passionate commitment to restoring integrity to the concept of sustainability, Adam has set new industry standards.
Adam's mission is to share this transformative wisdom with the world. He wrote Setting An Intention: 11 Brief Lessons On Achieving Your Greater Good, a handbook designed to teach individuals how to harness intention and mindfulness to attain their personal goals and contribute to the greater good.
Adam's personal quest for self-discovery propels him forward on a journey to understand himself and the world around him more deeply. His ultimate aspiration is to inspire as many people as possible to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery, firmly believing that what can be discovered is greater than what can be imagined.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adamtriarchy/
Triarchy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triarchy/
Website: https://triarchy.com/
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had an illuminating conversation about the world of mysticism, tarot, and publishing with our special guest - Kelley Knight. As a renowned author and founder of Modern Mystic Shop, Kelly shares her unique journey from spiritual awakening to becoming a successful entrepreneur.
She discusses her book Spells for the Modern Mystic: A Ritual Guidebook and Spell Casting Kit, co-authored with Brandon Knight. We also explored her perspectives on traditional vs. self-publishing routes, dealing with backlash post-publication, co-authorship, and more!
Kelly's story is not just about success; it's about transformation through personal development channels leading to psychic awakening, which changed her life forever.
In this Episode:
- Identify your passion and utilize personal experiences: Identify what truly excites and drives you, and use your own life experiences as the basis for your work.
- Find a mentor or guide: Seek out someone who can help you harness your gifts effectively.
- Understanding publishing vs. self-publishing: Consider both traditional publishing routes and self-publishing options before deciding which is right for you - each has its benefits and drawbacks.
- Get an agent specific to your genre: Find an agent who represents authors in your specific field or genre.
- Craft a compelling proposal: Demonstrate why you're not a risky choice when pitching to publishers.
- Choose the right publisher: Find a publisher that aligns with your vision and can support you throughout the process.
- Weigh the financial implications of different publication methods: Traditional publishing often provides upfront payment but may limit future earnings, whereas self-publication could potentially yield higher profits over time despite requiring more initial investment.
- Identify gaps in existing market offerings: When planning new projects, look at what already exists within the industry and identify areas where unique value can be added without replicating others' works.
- Be open to learning: Embrace new challenges and learnings that come with the publishing journey.
About Kelley:
Kelley Knight founded Modern Mystic Shop in 2016 in an effort to curate and create quality, accessible products for tarot clients’ spiritual practice. What started humbly grew quickly into a well-known brand for spiritual seekers. Since 2014, she has been offering her unique style of reading, which has given her national recognition in publications such as NYLON Magazine. There are now two retail locations; the original store is located in the bustling Ponce City Market in Atlanta, GA, where Kelley resided for most of her life. She opened a second location in the NoLita neighborhood of NYC in 2021 when she returned to the city her ancestors immigrated to in the early 1900s, which has now become her new home. She aims to make mysticism mainstream by imparting ancient spiritual wisdom applied to the modern day.
Business Website: https://modernmystictarot.com/
Her Website: https://kelleyknight.me/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/modernmystic_shop/
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, our guest is Gail Barker, an entrepreneur and seasoned coach with over two decades of dedication to supporting leaders and aspiring leaders in uncovering and crafting their own meaningful definition of success. Gail believes that finding 'ease' even in challenging situations is the key to successful leadership. Her book "What Matters Now: Lessons On Living With Ease" explores this concept and redefines our understanding of adversity.
Gail Barker shares her insights on writing and creative expression to offer a fresh perspective and highlight the importance of understanding your unique working style instead of blindly following popular norms.
She believes that success isn't solely defined by bestseller status or mass approval. If you have the wisdom to share that can enlighten even one individual, that counts as a successful endeavor too!
In this Episode:
- Understand the difference between 'ease' and 'easy': Acknowledge that a path of ease doesn't mean life is always easy or without obstacles; it's about finding calm amidst difficulties.
- Establish a writing rhythm: By identifying the optimal writing time and environment to foster creativity and productivity.
- Redefine procrastination: Recognize that such activities can stimulate subconscious idea generation, instead of viewing them as distractions.
- Explore different methods for inspiration: Incorporate physical activity into your creative process or try handwriting instead of typing if you find it more effective.
- Silence your inner critics by expressing your unique voice: Remember they are just voices, not truths, and focus on how you want to sound on paper rather than imitating others.
- Manage outer criticism effectively: When seeking feedback, be clear about what kind of input you're looking for so reviewers know their boundaries—this way their input will be more beneficial.
- Honor your own voice amid a multitude of voices: Share whatever message calls out from within you - even if your audience is small because everyone has something valuable worth sharing with the world.
- Pay attention when certain themes repeatedly surface in your thoughts, indicating their significance and need for shared expression; this could indicate an important message that needs to be communicated.
- Remember, being a bestseller isn't everything; there’s more satisfaction gained by disseminating wisdom and allowing others to build upon each other’s insights.
About Gail:Dynamic, insightful, inspiring, and visionary - these are the words often used to describe Gail Jacob Barker, the renowned author of “What Matters Now: Lessons on Living with Ease.” An entrepreneur and a leadership coach for two decades, Gail has dedicated herself to guiding leaders, aspiring leaders, and their teams to lead at the work they love, without sacrificing their lives on the altar of their leadership. A certified Coactive Coach, and proudly holding the PCC credential through the International Coach Federation, Gail leads public courses for the Co-Active Training Institute and contributes her expertise as a valuable member of the Faculty Development Team at CTI on a part-time basis. Gail is an avid reader, a compassionate listener, and a lover of meaningful human connection.
Website: https://www.stellarcc.com/
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In this week’s episode of the UpLevel Podcast, we had this enlightening conversation into the world of socially conscious content with Abigail Prout, a professional leadership coach and award-winning poet and writer. She shares her journey from daily poetry writing to becoming a published author with her first book, 'Walk Deep'.Over the past two decades, Abigail has dedicated herself to coaching, studying, and gaining insights from thousands of influential and powerful women from all walks of life. She firmly holds the belief that every individual possesses a distinctive voice and a valuable story to share. We often underestimate our narratives simply because they are familiar, but by raising consciousness and telling our stories, she believes we contribute to a greater, meaningful purpose.
Listen in to hear more about Abigail's upcoming four-month writing course, scheduled from January to April. This program is focused on the profound impact of writing and establishing a daily writing routine. You will also learn how to harness the inspiring influence of nature as a companion in your writing journey. In this Episode:
- Consistency and Dedication
- Embrace Unexpected Opportunities.
- Value of Connections
- Openness to Change
- Importance of Self-awareness
- Nurturing Personal Growth through Truth-telling about shared history
- Grounding Oneself for Spiritual Growth
- Introspection for Growth & Exploration
- Value of Consistency & Permanence
- Reciprocity Principle
- Soul Partnership
- Continuous Learning & Growing
- Authenticity Matters
- Transitional Support
- Encouraging Self-expression
- Positive Reception
About Abigail:
As a professional leadership coach (CPCC and PCC), Abigail has spent the past twenty years coaching, studying, and learning from thousands of powerful women from all walks of life. Through this work, she has gathered extensive data and been honored to witness and midwife emerging patterns and trends toward more feminine-forward leadership. Abigail holds a Master's degree in Counseling, and she has shared her expertise at both the secondary and university levels. She is a “sassy sacred muse”, leading training courses for the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), the world’s largest coach training company, and is recognized as a dynamic and inspiring trainer. Currently residing on Lopez Island in the Pacific Northwest, where she spent her formative years, Abigail shares her life with her husband, Clive, and their two children, Iona and Jax. She is also celebrated as an award-winning poet and writer, with her debut book, "Walk Deep," published by Homebound Publishing, receiving accolades such as the 2021 Homebound Poetry Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Award. Notably, her book is a nominee for a prestigious Pushcart Prize. You can find Abigail each morning wandering through the island's forest alongside her cherished black lab, Bella.
Sprial Leadership Website: https://www.spiral-leadership.com/
Her Website: https://www.abigailprout.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abigail-morgan-prout-4986307b/
Instagram: @abigail_morgan_prout
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This week, we’re continuing with the second half of our Publishing Series, our guest is a renowned author and inspirational speaker, known for her life reset coaching through Bree Brees Speaks, Sabriah Reese. She shares her remarkable journey of transforming personal hardships into empowerment.
Join us in this enlightening podcast with Sabriah Reese as we take a deep dive into the themes of her book 'Crooked Rib, Golden Soul,' exploring how she harnessed the power of storytelling as a healing tool after surviving a challenging divorce and health issues. Sabriah highlights the role of faith in her transformative journey and addresses the critical need for open conversations about mental health within religious communities.
In this Episode:
- Transform Pain into Power: Sabriah's story teaches us that we can transform our pain and struggles into a source of strength.
- Importance of Self-Love: The narrative emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-worth beyond societal standards or expectations.
- Sharing Personal Stories: Sabriah's journey illustrates how sharing personal stories can inspire others who may be going through similar experiences.
- Overcoming Stigma around Mental Health: Her openness about struggling with depression despite being a person of faith helps challenge stigmas surrounding mental health issues, particularly within religious communities.
- Time Management & Setting Boundaries: Despite having multiple responsibilities, Sabriah shows the importance of setting aside dedicated time for oneself (in her case for writing), thereby stressing on effective time management skills.
- Involving Family in Your Journey: She also highlights the significance of involving family members in your endeavors.
- Healing Through Expression: Writing or expressing oneself can serve as an effective therapeutic tool aiding healing process from past traumas or painful experiences.
- Having Faith During Difficult Times: Having faith could provide reassurance that things would get better eventually.
- Prioritizing Emotional Wellbeing: She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing emotional wellbeing along with physical health.
- Challenging Societal Norms: By sharing her experience, Sabriah challenged stigma surrounding abusive marriages within religious contexts.
About Sabriah:
Sabriah Reese is a Philadelphia native, a devoted Muslim woman, and an extraordinary single mother to five adorable children. She is the visionary founder of Bree Brees Speaks, an organization with a mission to educate, empower, and inspire women through life reset coaching. She's also a powerful inspirational speaker. Her journey into this transformative work began in 2016, following a tumultuous divorce that stripped her of her faith and her will to live. It was during this challenging period that Sabriah made the life-changing decision to dedicate herself to empowering women. This pivotal experience also served as the catalyst for her to write her book, “Crooked Rib, Golden Soul”.
Website: https://breebreespeaks.com/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/breebreespeaks/
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This week, our guest is the legendary Henry Kimsey-House, one of the pioneers who laid the foundation for professional coaching in the 1980s. It was a privilege to delve into his early life, trace his journey into coaching, and gain insights into the monumental influence his coaching legacy has left on countless lives.
Henry's story is a testament to the transformative power of coaching, which extends far beyond the individual to reshape entire organizations and cultures. As we navigated through his experiences, it was evident that his legacy embodies the philosophy of coaching as a force that elevates people, organizations, and humanity as a whole. Let's embrace these insightful leadership dynamics by tuning in to this episode.
In this Episode:
- Embrace Continuous Learning: Henry's narrative emphasizes the need for continuous learning and growth, where one should always strive to learn new things and expand their knowledge.
- Value Experience: The importance of valuing elders in any system or organization. Their experience and wisdom can provide invaluable insights that can lead to success.
- Practice Active Listening: One of the core skills mentioned in coaching is active listening which is crucial not only in professional settings but also in personal relationships.
- Foster Human Connection: Treating each other as humans rather than objects or labels forms a significant part of successful communication and relationship-building, both personally and professionally.
- Promote Consciousness & Awareness: Being aware helps us understand ourselves better, make informed decisions, and develop empathy towards others, thus contributing positively to our personal lives as well as society at large.
- Express Yourself Fully: Authentic expression fosters trust and understanding among individuals leading to healthier interpersonal dynamics and overall wellbeing.
- Advocate For Humanity: Embracing expressing full humanity aspects of life, particularly the workplace, promotes inclusion and diversity, ultimately leading to harmonious environments and greater productivity.
About Henry:
Henry is the Co-founder and lead designer of the thought-provoking, experiential learning programs of CTI (Co-Active Training Institute), the world's oldest and largest in-person coach-training school. He is the best-selling co-author of Co-Active Coaching and is the co-author of The Stake: The Making of Leaders and Co-Active Leadership: Five Ways to Lead. He has charted a remarkable journey that has left an indelible mark on the world of coaching and leadership development. His path was enriched by his early foray into the world of acting, which began at the tender age of nine. This immersion into the realm of human emotion and narrative intricacies through classical theatrical training, stage performances, television, and film experiences laid the foundation for his deep insights into the human psyche. He worked at the Actors Information Project in New York City for 13 years before he began his coaching profession. His legacy continues to shape leaders and create transformative environments that transcend boundaries. He lives with his wife, Karen Kimsey-House, on the northwest coast of the United States.
You can learn more about Co-Active products here:
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This week’s guest is filmmaker and activist Adnan Khan. Listen in to hear his compelling story about how he went from a troubled youth to becoming an incarcerated filmmaker at San Quentin State Prison and now an advocate for criminal justice reform. He shares deep insights about intergenerational trauma, personal growth behind bars, and his journey toward redemption.
Adnan’s life is a testament to resilience amidst adversity. His experiences shed light on the realities inside prison walls - far beyond what mainstream media portrays. Please tune in to discover how, despite harsh conditions, he found hope and purpose through filmmaking while advocating for legislative changes like Senate Bill 1437.
In this episode:
- Self-Reflection: Adnan’s introspective journey allowed him to understand the root causes of his actions and make amends for them. This teaches us the importance of self-reflection in understanding our own behaviors and patterns.
- Resilience: Despite facing harsh conditions and a life sentence at a young age, Adnan maintained hope and resilience, which kept him going each day. His story emphasizes the power of resilience in overcoming adversity.
- Empathy & Humanity: Adnan’s experiences taught him about humanity's full range from suffering to resilience, leading him to aim for peace wherever possible both for himself and others around him. This underlines the importance of empathy towards others’ struggles.
- Continuous Learning: Even while incarcerated, Adnan met individuals who were intelligent without formal degrees but skilled as lawyers or leaders, artists who brought humor into their lives despite their circumstances - demonstrating that learning is continuous regardless of your situation.
- Making Amends: Although direct restitution was impossible due to his imprisonment, he sought indirect ways such as charity within the facility by helping older inmates or sharing resources like food when possible – showing that there are always opportunities to make amends if one looks for them.
- Responsibility & Accountability: Accepting responsibility for one's actions is an important lesson. Adnan’s admitted guilt, even though he didn't directly commit murder, shows how taking accountability helps in starting a path toward redemption.
About Adnan:
Adnan Khan is a filmmaker and the Founder and Executive Director of Firstwatch Filmmakers. While incarcerated, Adnan founded Firstwatch, a media filmmaking project produced entirely by incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison. He also created Re:Store Justice, a nonprofit criminal justice organization, where he advocated for the successful passage of Senate Bill 1437. Adnan is also a San Francisco FILM resident receiving the 2023 Filmhouse Residency.
You can find him here:
https://www.instagram.com/akhan1437
https://twitter.com/akhan1437
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In this episode, we continue exploring what it means to bring humanity into the workplace. Our guest, Sharna Fey, co-founder of Pono Coaching and Consulting, shares her expertise as an executive coach, trainer, and consultant. With over two decades of experience, Sharna helps individuals and corporations identify their core values, reach their goals, and lead authentically. She works with Fortune 500 companies and has a highly collaborative and interactive approach to producing meaningful outcomes. Tune in to learn how to infuse humanity into your professional life.
In this episode:
- The Power of Inner Work: Sharna emphasized the importance of doing the inner work to make a real difference in the world. She reminded us that personal growth is an ongoing journey, and we should never stop striving to become the best version of ourselves. It's not about arriving at a destination but embracing our humanity's continuous growth and evolution.
- Bringing Your Full Self: Sharna challenged the notion of compartmentalizing our lives, urging us to bring our whole selves to every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. She highlighted the incredible possibilities that arise when organizations create an environment where individuals feel empowered to be authentic and true to themselves. Not only does this foster efficiency and effectiveness, but it also leads to increased profitability. Talk about a win-win!
- Embracing Vulnerability and Connection: Sharna and Christie discussed the value of creating spaces where people can be vulnerable and share what’s important to them and how they like to receive feedback and coaching. By fostering open and non-hierarchical conversations, organizations can build deeper connections and tap into the true potential of their teams.
About Sharna:
Sharna is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with more than two decades of experience working with individuals, corporations, and non-profits as an executive coach, trainer, educator, speaker, and consultant.
As co-founder of Pono Coaching & Consulting, Sharna helps executive clients identify and lead toward their core values, define and reach their goals, and discover and pursue their most authentic and best lives. She works with corporations looking to invest in emerging or established leaders, improve overall communications, increase team effectiveness, and bring the key elements of coaching to their organizations.
Sharna is sought out for her experience, her highly collaborative approach, and the affable and interactive learning style she uses to produce deeply meaningful outcomes. Her corporate clients include Fortune 500 companies like Google, Autodesk, Cisco Systems, IBM, Genentech, Marriott International, and Lululemon.
For the past decade, Sharna has been on faculty at the Co-Active Training Institute, where she received her own training. She has trained thousands of adults across the United States and internationally in the co-active coaching model she employs and relishes the opportunity to mentor new coaches.
A proud alumnus of Washington State University, Sharna is a member of the International Coach Federation. A native Coloradan, Sharna made her home in San Francisco for more than 25 years and now chases summer by home-basing on Maui and traveling to other warm spots globally.
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In today's episode in our "Bringing Humanity into the Workplace" series, we are introduced to Dan Seaver, the executive director and co-founder of ManifestWorks. ManifestWorks is an organization that connects individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration with job opportunities and provides ongoing support for long-term success.
Dan shares his journey from a career in journalism and government to becoming a youth advocate and eventually founding ManifestWorks.
Dan aims to address the problem of system-impacted individuals being blocked from reaching their potential through his work. This episode highlights the importance of providing opportunities and support for those in need and explores Dan's personal experiences in this field.
In this episode:
- The Power of Upleveling: Throughout the episode, it becomes clear that Dan Seaver has a remarkable ability to uplift and empower those around him and leave them feeling like a better version of themselves. As leaders, we can learn from Dan's example and strive to create environments where everyone can uplevel and reach their full potential.
- Embracing Accidental Opportunities: Dan's journey into working with impacted youth and adults was not something he had planned or set out to do. It was an accident that turned into a blessing. This reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful and fulfilling paths in life are the ones we stumble upon unexpectedly.
- Growth as a Leader: As ManifestWorks grew, Dan's role as a leader evolved. Initially, he was involved in every aspect of the organization, from teaching and counseling to selecting and placing individuals. However, as he hired a team and delegated responsibilities, his focus shifted to leading and supporting his staff. This highlights the importance of adaptability and the need to evolve our leadership styles as our organizations grow and change.
About Dan:
Dan is the Executive Director and a co-founder of ManifestWorks and has built the organization from its infancy in 2013. He oversees organizational strategy and partnerships, fundraising, and new programming initiatives.
After a career in journalism and government, Dan spent a decade as a youth advocate
while volunteering with kids incarcerated in Los Angeles County. ManifestWorks is a response to that experience, a solution to the problem of system-impacted people blocked from their potential.
Dan graduated from Northwestern University, was a Los Angeles County Probation Department commissioner from 2014 - 2021, and lives in LA with his kid.
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When we were young, we were often told to leave our emotions at the door when entering the workplace. But we’ve found that this approach stunts personal and professional growth. This week’s guest Victoria Roebuck, Area Vice President of Customer Success at BetterUp, has a different take that can revolutionize how we view leadership. Victoria believes in bringing your full self to work, not just the parts that fit neatly into a professional box. Drawing from her own experience as an African American in a predominantly white environment, she shares the fatigue of constantly code-switching and how it inspired her to foster workplaces where people can safely express their whole selves, emotions, and all.
In this episode:
- Creating spaces in the workplace for people to bring their whole selves, allowing them to focus on personal growth and becoming better individuals, which ultimately leads to better business performance
- The importance of active listening and agile leadership in today's workplace, where there's constant change and uncertainty
- How her experience of growing up as an African American in a predominantly white environment helped her understand the importance of creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all individuals
- How coaching is transformative and essential for proactively managing mental fitness and becoming a better version of oneself
- How coaching and the focus on bringing more humanity into the workplace can lead to increased engagement, inclusion, and business results
- Creating a future where coaching is accessible to everyone and it becomes as essential as physical fitness for mental well-being
- The importance of focusing on others, building strong relationships, and understanding multiple perspectives
- How the journey of bringing more humanity into the workplace requires vulnerability, but the impact is worth the effort, leading to transformational positive changes in individuals and organizations
About Victoria:
Victoria has an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond, where she majored in Leadership Studies and minored in Business Administration. She is also an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree. She now works as a positive psychology practitioner – helping people feel more fulfilled in their lives and work.
Since graduating from Richmond, she’s spent her career as a senior leader in start-ups leading sales, account management, and customer success teams…and now works as an Area Vice President of Customer Success at BetterUp – helping organizations take a people-first approach to business transformation and helping them unlock the full potential of their employees. Specifically, she leads a team who partners with Chief People Officers, Chief Diversity Officers, Talent Management teams, and Organizational Development and Effectiveness teams that live within enterprise organizations to help them increase employee performance & engagement, culture and strategy, organizational resilience, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, wellness, and self-actualization of their employees through coaching interventions.
Before entering the professional world, Victoria was a nationally competitive gymnast and lacrosse goalie at the University of Richmond, where she finished the 2012 season ranked #1 in NCAA for total saves and average saves per game. In her free time, you can
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From prison bars to popcorn stars, this week’s guest on The UpLevel Podcast, Emily O'Brien, defies the odds as she turns her addictive past into a recipe for success, fighting to eliminate stigma and create second chances through her social enterprise, Comeback Snacks.
Emily is an embodiment of transformative potential and entrepreneurship. Her trajectory is a heartfelt tale of courage and diligence. While in prison, she discovered an innovative take on popcorn seasoning, sowing the seeds of Comeback Snacks.
Nurturing her project through handwritten letters and personal connections, Emily's enterprise grew and blossomed. Today, her popcorn business is revolutionizing attitudes towards people with prior convictions, demonstrating how adversity can be molded into significant opportunities. Emily's dedication to fostering change through her actions, mentorship, and advocacy for prison reform sets her apart.
In this episode, you’ll be able to:
- Discover the powerful journey of overcoming addiction while establishing a successful social enterprise.
- Dive into the inspiring stories of providing second chances and job opportunities for ex-convicts.
- Understand the sensitive language used around incarceration and rehabilitation for a more empathetic approach.
- Uncover the secrets of creating more inclusive and compassionate work environments.
- Learn about empowering entrepreneurship and spurring economic growth for those with criminal records.
About Emily:
Battling back from addiction and a Federal sentence for drug smuggling to building a booming social enterprise, Comeback Snacks, Emily O’Brien’s evolution from convict to entrepreneur is a story about lessons learned, resilience, determination, forgiveness, and how to take a bad situation and turn it into endless positive opportunities.
Emily, while in prison, with no budget and no access to the internet, began developing Comeback Snacks (Cons & Kernels) after being inspired by the unique seasonings her fellow inmates used on their popcorn. Her entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong, having founded a social media business after University. Using hand-written letters sent via mail, Emily communicated with people who would assist her with market research, branding, and guidance. After her release, she hit the ground running, building her enterprise by offering her popcorn at festivals, shows, and events and networking with local business owners.
Comeback Snacks is now available at major grocers, independent stores, and online retailers across North America and a new retail location at 302 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada which also serves as a story-telling micro museum of her journey.
Emily uses her business and her voice to advocate for prison reforms and to eliminate the stigma attached to people with prior convictions. She provides ex-convicts and those needing a second chance, employment, mentorship, and a pathway to greater confidence and new opportunities. Emily works with a number of organizations, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, a not-for-profit social service agency that provides support for women and girls involved in the Canadian justice system. She has also raised funds through her business to support great causes like The Yonge Street Mission to help at-risk youths. Emily was recognized for her efforts at the 2020 YWCA Hamilton Women of Distin
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In a world filled with societal expectations and limitations, TaShenna Braxton's story is a testament to resilience and the power of choice. She’s making a tangible difference in modern workplaces.
Do you want to create a workplace culture where diversity thrives, inclusion is at the core, and employees feel empowered? Does this sound familiar? You've been told to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, but you're not seeing the desired results in your workplace. The pain of ineffective actions leaves you yearning for a more holistic approach that fosters a diverse, inclusive, and thriving organizational culture. In this episode, TaShenna will share her solution to help you achieve this transformative outcome.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Discover why infusing humanity into your workplace is crucial for enhancing connectivity and productivity.
- Understand the significance of adopting a holistic approach to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in an organization.
- Leverage rich insights from Enneagram and Leadership Circle Profile tools for your personal advancement.
- Learn to harmonize your feminine and masculine energy for effective leadership growth.
- Explore practical ways to combat imposter syndrome and create an environment where everyone feels they belong.
About TaSheena:
TaSheena Braxton is a native San Franciscan residing with her partner, four children, and puppy, Coco. TaSheena currently serves as an internal coach for a prominent Biotech company where her role as an Executive & Team Coach revolves around driving Team Development & Design and achieving the organization's most impactful business goals.
With a deep-rooted passion for coaching, mentorship, and empowering women leaders, TaSheena brings a unique perspective to her work. She firmly believes in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels and strives to create a thriving organizational culture where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging. Through her coaching, she focuses on developing women of color leaders, guiding them toward leadership opportunities, promotions, high-visibility projects, and overall career advancement. TaSheena's expertise lies in helping these individuals overcome imposter syndrome and redefine their identities as confident and successful leaders.
TaSheena holds a Master's in Organization Development from the prestigious University of San Francisco, which has equipped her with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and effective strategies for growth and development. Additionally, she is a certified coach from the world-renowned Co-Active Training Institute and CRR Global's ORSC program, further enhancing her coaching skills and expertise. She is also an Accredited Enneagram facilitator and Leadership Circle Profile Practitioner, enabling her to bring a holistic and comprehensive approach to her coaching practice.
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Meet Tawney Hughes, a resilient leader deeply committed to human-centered workplaces. Her belief that relationships shape life has led her to work with individuals, organizations, and teams to facilitate courageous conversations and foster a sense of purpose. Tawney isn't new to this field; she leads a prominent tech company's internal one-on-one coaching program and, since 2014, has facilitated programs for over 20,000 of its employees worldwide. From California to Dublin, her influence has spanned continents. Furthermore, Tawney is an Enneagram certified practitioner, a certified Co-Active professional coach, and a certified organization and relationship systems coach, making her a powerhouse of knowledge and experience.
In this week's episode of The UpLevel Podcast, Tawney is sharing her wisdom with us. She will provide practical solutions to cultivate a work culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and appreciated, regardless of age.
If you want to create an inclusive and harmonious workplace environment that fosters growth and connection among all generations, listen to this episode as we explore how to build bridges and foster meaningful connections among generational differences, ultimately leading to a more collaborative and thriving workplace.
In this episode:
- Discover the transformative power of blending humaneness into traditional office environments and seeing its effect on productivity and rapport.
- See remarkable insights into generational divisions within the workplace and how finding common ground can enhance overall functionality.
- Probe further into the revolutionary intersection of technology, particularly AI, and humanity for creating a more effective workplace.
- Understand the impetus of nurturing the connection with nature to creatively introduce empathy into your teams.
- Realize the liberating outcomes when failing is seen as a stepping stone, accelerating the learning curve in professional settings.
Tawney is committed to creating a more human-centered world. She believes the quality of our
relationships determines the quality of our life. Tawney works with individuals, teams, couples, and organizations to have courageous conversations to find purpose in work, alignment in relationships with others and nature, and resonance in one’s relationship with self. She is a Certified Co-Active Professional Coach, Certified Organization and Relationship Systems Coach, and Enneagram Certified Practitioner.
Tawney has worked inside Google’s Learning and Development team since 2014 and currently leads their internal 1:1 coaching program. In her tenure, she has facilitated programs for over 20,000 Google employees throughout the world, including North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. In her time with Google, she’s been based in the Google Headquarters in California, Madrid, Dublin, and London and now works remotely in her hometown of Missoula, Montana. Tawney works with startups, individuals, and large companies designing and facilitating management and leadership training, well-being programs, and more.
Tawney is also a certified yoga and pilates instructor and finds joy in bringing mindfulness, vitality, and well-being into her work.
Connect with Tawney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tawneyhughes
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Artie Gonzales is a survivor, a reformed individual, and a role model for those seeking redemption and personal growth. Having experienced the harsh reality of the justice system at a young age, Artie turned his life around during his 21 years of incarceration in the California prison system. He has since emerged as an advocate for legislative reforms, a member of social justice organizations, and a campaigner for empathy and humanity in the workplace. Artie's incredible journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the value of looking beyond our own prejudices to understand and empathize with those facing great adversity.
We found it important to include Artie in our Humanity in the Workplace season because recognizing the humanity of every worker and fostering an environment of empathy and understanding is essential for creating a thriving organization. By embracing inclusivity and valuing each individual's unique perspectives, businesses can develop a more well-rounded decision-making process, increase workforce satisfaction, and ultimately achieve better results.
Artie Gonzales's experiences with Manifest Works, a program that trains system-impacted individuals for positions in the film industry, showcases the power of humanizing the workplace. He credits the program for helping him transition back into society, praising their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Artie's story highlights the potential of a compassionate and inclusive workplace to transform lives and create opportunities for personal and professional growth.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The value of a strong emotional wellness foundation for personal and professional growth
- The key role of social connections and the consequences of isolation on our emotional state
- The human stories intertwined within the justice system
- Key leadership skills that promote humanity and empathy in a work environment
- Leveraging empathetic, compassionate, and heart-centered leadership for a unified mission and vision
About Artie:
Artie Gonzales was tried as an adult at the age of sixteen. He went on to spend twenty-one years of a Life sentence in the California prison system, eight of which included housing within a supermax Solitary Confinement unit. Here, he evolved past his surroundings, committing himself to rehabilitation and non-violence.
Released as a model prisoner in 2015, he has become a leader in his community, an advocate for legislative reforms, and a member of several social justice organizations. After graduating from a Hollywood-oriented workforce development program, ManifestWorks (of which he currently sits on the Board of Directors), he rose through the ranks and made a lifelong dream a reality. He currently works in the TV and Feature Film world.
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Come and be a part of UpLevel's summer series, "Bringing Humanity into the Workplace." We will be exploring the importance of this topic and gaining valuable insights through discussions with colleagues, friends, and clients. Every Wednesday for the next two months, join us to learn how to incorporate humanity into your organization.
To unlock the potential within each individual means more than just acknowledging their skills and abilities. It involves exploring their aspirations, dreams, and untapped talent. It means nurturing their growth and providing them with the necessary tools and support to reach new heights.
Investing in coaching is an investment in your team. As a leader, taking the time to understand your team, and providing guidance and support to overcome obstacles, creates an environment where vulnerability is embraced and mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth.
As employees are supported and encouraged through coaching, something magical happens. They begin to break through the limitations they once believed defined them. They start discovering hidden strengths and talents they didn't even know they possessed. They build resilience and learn to navigate challenges with confidence.
Join Rachel Baldi and Christie Mann in this episode of The UpLevel Podcast as they delve into their mission of Bringing Humanity into the Workplace and the life-changing effects of coaching.
Through inspiring stories of individuals and organizations, they encourage us to recognize the untapped potential in ourselves and those around us.
UpLevel's goal is to promote workplaces that celebrate the unique humanity of every individual.
We hope you'll listen in so you can learn how you can uplevel your own workplace.
In this episode:
- Best practices to help organizations humanize their workplace
- Methods to help organizations establish an effective coaching culture in their workplace
- Real-life examples of companies with thriving coaching cultures
- Delve into the connection between coaching and unleashing employee potential
- Discover the value of workplace well-being and its impact on employees and organizations
- The critical role coaching cultures play in modern organizations
- Insights on building a results-driven coaching culture at work
- How coaching can be the key to unlocking workplace potential
- The importance of fostering well-being in the workplace and its effects on overall success
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Chrissy Bernal's road to promoting her children's books was filled with costly mistakes and bad advice. But it led her to discover the importance of building a solid foundation for book promotion. Through her own struggles and triumphs, she learned the value of clear messaging, author branding, and community building. Now, she shares her hard-earned wisdom to guide aspiring authors on their own path to success. Are you ready to avoid the same pitfalls and achieve your dreams of publishing a socially conscious book? Join us on this journey of empowerment and discover the power of a strong foundation for book promotion.
In this episode, you will:
- Discover innovative book marketing and publicity tactics to boost your success.
- Learn the significance of a solid foundation for promoting your literary works.
- Uncover the art of crafting a clear and captivating book message and author brand.
- Find out the secrets to building and engaging with an enthusiastic book community.
- Gain invaluable tips for effective book publicity, catering to journalists, and leveraging podcast giveaways.
Chrissy Bernal is a published author and branding expert, passionate about helping authors create a solid foundation to promote their books effectively. From building a captivating author brand, developing strategic marketing plans, and using strategic PR, Chrissy empowers authors to reach their goals with purpose and intention. Her experience stems from her own journey as an author, during which she faced numerous challenges and learned valuable lessons about branding, marketing, and PR. Through this journey, Chrissy has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to create a successful book promotion strategy and enjoys sharing her wisdom with like-minded authors.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
- Get clear on your messaging and purpose before starting any marketing or public relations efforts.
- Use the Story Brand framework to help hone your messaging and shift your focus to your audience's transformation rather than yourself.
- Ensure continuity in your author brand across all platforms, including your website, social media, and author pages on Amazon and other retailers.
- Claim your author pages on Amazon and other retailers to showcase your bio, picture, and book information.
- Create a call to action on your website and social media profiles to drive traffic to your book sales page or email newsletter sign-up.
- Utilize book bloggers and reviewers to get your book in the hands of readers and increase visibility.
- Partner with other authors or organizations in your genre or topic to cross-promote your books and reach new audiences.
- Attend book festivals, conferences, and other events in your industry to network and promote your book.
- Offer a free sample or preview of your book to entice readers to purchase the full version.
- Encourage readers to leave reviews on your book's sales page and social media profiles to increase social proof and credibility.
You can find Chrissy here:
www.beabetterbrand.com
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissybernal
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Unleash your inner rockstar and attract your dream clients with best-selling author and coach Megan Jo Wilson's foolproof guide on leveraging a book to build an empire while avoiding dilution and staying true to your mission.
For Megan Jo Wilson, the idea of writing a book was initially daunting, but it became an exciting challenge for her. During this episode, Megan Jo Wilson shares how aspiring authors can leverage a socially conscious book to build an empire that is making the world better.
The conversation was insightful, as Megan emphasized the significance of focusing on a specific target audience to add value, connect with potential clients, and ultimately enroll those clients an author wishes to work with, all while promoting social awareness and change. Megan highlights the importance of selecting socially-conscious themes and narratives that resonate with readers and contribute to a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Overall, this episode is an excellent resource for coaches and aspiring authors who want to learn practical tips to leverage their expertise and books as tools for expanding their reach.
In this episode:
- The potential of purpose-driven writing to promote positive change at all levels
- The art of tailoring your writing to engage your desired audience without diluting your message
- How a book can serve as a vehicle to engage potential clients and grow your domain
- The impact of supportive networks and communities on one's personal evolution
- The merit in determining your own cadence and objective before embarking on the writing journey
About Megan:
Megan Jo Wilson is the Founder of Rockstar Camp for Women and The Sisterhood of No More Playing Small. Through her experiential learning programs, she gives women coaches the tools they need to market and sell their services with integrity and a deep sense of self-worth.
She has been a Certified Co-Active Coach and Business Mentor for 18 years and is the author of three best-selling business books for Women Coaches: “Who the Fuck Am I to Be a Coach?!”, “Who the Fuck Am I to Be a Rockstar?!” and “No More Playing Small: Free Your Inner Rockstar and Go All In On Your Full-Time Coaching Career.”
Described by Marianne Williamson as “The modern woman’s coach in moving beyond playing small,” Megan Jo’s mission is to redirect financial wealth, power, and influence into the hands of today’s healers and magic-makers.
How to get in touch with Megan Jo: https://bio.site/meganjowilson
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Christopher Veal's journey to redefine masculinity had an unexpected twist. From conforming to hyper-masculine environments in the Marine Corps and construction to exploring vulnerability and emotional expression through his podcast, he realized the need for a wider discussion on evolving masculinity. This spurred him to write his book, The Whole Man, challenging societal norms and encouraging a new, healthier definition of masculinity. But what was the unexpected twist? How did Christopher's journey lead him to redefine himself and connect with others in a deeper way? Read on to discover the surprising outcome of his exploration.
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Explore the transformative power of vulnerability and a new definition of masculinity.
- Realize how a strong and supportive community can propel you toward personal and professional success.
- Break free from traditional views on masculinity and reap the rewards of open emotional expression.
- Master essential self-care and mental health practices for lasting achievement and well-being.
- Unlock the potential of authentic connections through emotional vulnerability and insight.
Christopher works deliberately each day to live into his purpose of creating authentic connections. He knows that some days he does better than others at leaning into being vulnerable and aims to improve with every interaction.
In his life, he’s worn many hats: father, executive coach, Marine Corps officer, TEDx speaker, organizational development professional, facilitator, traveler, keynote speaker, podcast host, student of life, music lover, and explorer. He is excited to finally be adding Author to that list with the publishing of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity, which is the latest iteration of his quest to destigmatize the word ‘vulnerability’ for men.
When he’s not busy with these other pursuits, he loves spending time with his amazing daughter, listening to music, playing piano and (a little) guitar, mountain biking, riding his motorcycle and is somewhat successfully training their Boxer, Apollo.
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If you're an author who is interested in creating socially conscious content, this episode is for you. UpLevel co-founder Christie Mann, an expert in creating socially conscious literature, is here to debunk common myths and provide you with valuable tips to bring your book ideas to life.
Today’s episode: Christie Mann, "How to Birth Your Socially Conscious Children's Book"
Key takeaways:
📚Develop engaging book ideas that promote social consciousness in children.
📚Navigate the publishing and marketing process for children's books.
📚Establish a cohesive marketing strategy for success.
📚Generate excitement for your book launch.
📚Craft meaningful content with themes of depth, light, and consciousness.
Why is this information important to us? We're on a mission to ensure more socially-conscious content is created and published. We believe in supporting aspiring authors like YOU, especially now more than ever!
Thank you for joining us on this journey of learning, loving, and upleveling.
About Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC:
Christie is a Best-selling Author, Executive Coach, learning consultant, speaker, and Meditation + Embodiment teacher who designs, delivers, and facilitates transformational content and experiences. Her business leadership experience over the past two decades in marketing, operations, sales, business development, strategic partnerships, and learning & development has allowed her to work with some of the world’s leading brands and organizations.
She possesses a rare ability to create larger organizational visions and make things real while achieving and exceeding targets, operating profitable P&Ls, and leading empowered teams who take responsibility for their results and their worlds.
She is a proud member of CTI’s (the world’s oldest and largest in-person coach-training school) and The Trium Group’s - Faculty and Organizational Coaching teams, delivering courses and coaching leaders in over 100 countries across the Globe. Christie has a Masters in Spiritual Psychology and holds a B.A. in Media Information and Technoculture from the University of Western Ontario.
She is the creator of the Emotional Leadership Academy, a 6-week Virtual Intensive, developed after the overwhelming response from adults with the release of The Adventures of Lil’ Sass, a series of emotional wellness books for young people. In awe of children’s resilience and emotional flexibility, she champions adults’ rights to have and express emotions too.
When she’s not in the classroom, writing, on her mat, or in the boardroom, Christie is bringing leadership development tools to the vulnerable youth incarcerated in Southern California and Ontario, Canada. A stand for humanizing the workplace, Christie works with individuals and organizations to support them to UpLevel all areas of Well-Being and ignite their true potential.
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This week, we’re celebrating International Coaching Week by spending time with some of the coaching industry’s elders. We explored the essence of coaching, their coaching journies, and their thoughts on the future of coaching. We also discussed the need for openness, systemic change, and tackling issues like diversity and racism. Each elder offered valuable guidance for coaches and those interested in personal growth. Listen to this episode and help us celebrate coaching's power to transform lives and create positive change through a practical and co-active approach.
In This Episode:
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The concept of Eldership in families and communities
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The responsibility of being an Elder
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The value of different coaching tools and approaches
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The importance of an interpersonal and systemic approach
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The role of co-active coaching in creating common ground and goals
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The dismantling of privileged viewpoints and acknowledging unconscious behavior
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The importance of caring for oneself emotionally
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Regrets and learning from past mistakes
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The collective coaching model and incorporating themes like courage and vulnerability
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Co-active coaching as a way of being with people
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The future of coaching as a ubiquitous skill
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Acceptance of oneself and letting opportunities come organically
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Importance of balance and handling both good and bad times.
Guests:
Jeff Jacobson, Professional Coaching Services
Eric Kohner, Founder ekcoSYSTEM
Kelly Jones-Waller, ENGAGE Leadership Solutions, LLC
Anne Grete Mazziotta, Founder, North Star Coaching
Helen House, MCC, CPCC
Metaphor: Co-active coaching is like the trunk of the tree, with many branches that will forget what the trunk is. The impact of co-active coaching will infiltrate the world in a way that we cannot foresee right now, becoming a way of being with people.
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Emily Cardamon, Global Coaching and Talent Activation at lululemon, CPCC, PCC, joined The UpLevel Podcast for this week's episode. Emily shared the inspiring story of how she and her colleagues created an empowering coaching program at lululemon.
She also talked about how starting a coaching program doesn't require a big budget, structure, or fancy surveys and how it's possible to take it one step at a time and allow it to grow.
Emily highlighted the importance of coaching and how it positively impacts employee engagement, clarity of vision, empowerment, and retention rates. She dove into the coaching culture and how it emphasizes being curious and allowing employees to find solutions on their own.
Overall, Emily’s journey teaches us about the value of investing in coaching skills and the impact it can have on individuals and an organization as a whole.
(This is an excerpt from a live webinar about resiliency.)
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
https://www.instagram.com/uplevelproductions/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/uplevelproductionscompany
https://www.facebook.com/uplevelproductionscompany
In this eye-opening episode, Christie Mann & Rachel Baldi, co-founders of UpLevel Productions, discuss the greater impact we're collectively feeling right now and offer a call to action for what we can do to better support our mental health journies.
In this episode:
- The impact Christie felt from something as simple as rearranging furniture
- The availability of mental health information for marginalized communities
- What to ask when someone is grieving
- A small thing we can do that can make a HUGE impact on someone who is struggling with mental health or grief
- How our conversations about our physical health are creating mental health challenges
- Holding multiple perspectives with neutrality
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Bonus: Guided meditation included!
The table turns in this episode, and Christie Mann is the one being interviewed. She's joined by her UpLevel Productions co-founder Rachel Baldi. They discuss Christie's own mental health journey and talk about the powerful tools Christie uses to help support her mental well-being.
In this episode:
- Learning how to be aware of your mental health status
- Being aware you’re in a slump but feeling too stuck to do anything about it
- Scientific reasons behind emotions
- The evolutionary purposes of anger and sadness
- How to support sadness in a healthy way
- Gestalt
- Giving your emotions a seat at the table
- Working with your energetic body
- Being aware of your energetic field
- Guided Ego Eradicator meditation
- A tool for people who struggle with focused meditation
- The science behind active meditation
About Christie Mann:
Christie is a Best-selling Author, Executive Coach, learning consultant, speaker, Meditation + Embodiment teacher who designs, delivers, and facilitates transformational content and experiences. Her business leadership experience over the past two decades in marketing, operations, sales, business development, strategic partnerships, and learning & development has allowed her to work with some of the world’s leading brands and organizations.
She possesses a rare ability to create larger organizational visions and make things real while achieving and exceeding targets, operating profitable P&Ls, and leading empowered teams who take responsibility for their results and their worlds.
She is a proud member of CTI’s (the world’s oldest and largest in-person coach-training school) and The Trium Group’s - Faculty and Organizational Coaching teams, delivering courses and coaching leaders in over 100 countries across the Globe. Christie has a Masters in Spiritual Psychology and holds a B.A. in Media Information and Technoculture from the University of Western Ontario.
She is the creator of the Emotional Leadership Academy, a 6-week Virtual Intensive developed after the overwhelming response from adults with the release of The Adventures of Lil’ Sass, a series of emotional wellness books for young people. In awe of children’s resilience and emotional flexibility, she champions adults’ rights to have and express emotions too.
When she’s not in the classroom, writing, on her mat, or in the boardroom, Christie is bringing leadership development tools to the vulnerable youth incarcerated in Southern California and Ontario, Canada. A stand for humanizing the workplace, Christie works with individuals and organizations to support them to UpLevel all areas of Well-Being and ignite their true potential.
www.ChristieMann.com
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Your darkest hours can lead you to a fulfilling life. Irene Vizcarra joins Christie Mann in this episode where she shares her story of a dark period in her life, how she used plants to support her healing and offers suggestions for how you can use plant medicine to support yourself, as well.
In this episode:
- Leaving a comfortable corporate job
- How important it is to have a career that aligns with who you are at the core
- Busting through taboos and myths around plant medicine
- Doing the work and not feeling guilty about being in a positive place
- How to work with plants when you’re experiencing anxiety and depression
- Breaking down taboos around plant medicine
- The benefits of slowing down and drinking tea
- Which plants can help with anxiety
- Which plant can help with anger
- Which plant can help support you through grief
- Which plants can help with depression
- What to watch out for when using plants while you’re also using pharmaceuticals
- Mental health challenges and being an immigrant
- Which plants can help you feel a sense of belonging
- What Oat Straw can help with
About Irene:Irene Vizcarra is the Founder and Medicine Woman behind Holy Wild. As a Folk Herbalist, Ceremonialist, and Green Witch, she creates all formulas in ritual, leaning on her relationship with the plants, the Spirit realms, and the Earth, to create offerings that are heart-felt and transformational.
https://holywild.me
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Everyone knows the pandemic had a massive impact on our physical and mental health. This week's guest has insight on how we can help ourselves get back on track. Jocelyn Pepe joins Christie Mann to talk about paying attention to our physical health and how physical health affects our mental well-being. She also shares some techniques everyone can use to help make taking care of their physical and mental health easier. She also has a special message about teens and what they really need right now.
In this episode:
- Why teens may need extra support with their mental health
- Postpartum depression
- The importance of sleep
- The time when we can get the most restful sleep
- Being as alive as you want to be
- Ultradian rhythms
- Circadian rhythms
- Organizing her week to help reduce anxiety
- Working with your menstrual cycle
- Foods that are good for cognitive function
- Gut health
- Off-the-plate nutrition
- Temperature modulation
- Supporting employees in a holistic way
About Jocelyn:
Jocelyn is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a Registered Health Coach (RHCTM), a Professional Certified Coach (PCC), and a member of the Health Coach Alliance.
As a global facilitator, Jocelyn has co-created profound change in organizations and been witness to the change that is created when employees are provided with the right tools, resources, and support.
By partnering with groups and individuals in a journey of self-awareness and self-reflection around their habits and well-being, employees at all levels develop healthier minds, bodies, and souls. This enables everyone to truly thrive, building stronger relationships with themselves, their co-workers, and their clients. The result is a thriving, healthy workforce who are highly engaged and resourced to produce and innovate.
As a mother of three, Jocelyn has felt the impact of being highly engaged in her career and yet out of alignment in her overall health and wellbeing, leading to total burnout.
Jocelyn is fiercely committed to every individual realizing the benefits of having their physical, mental, and social well-being aligned to thrive personally and professionally.
https://truliving.ca/
Kvon Tucker joins Christie Mann to have an open and authentic conversation about being a black man working on his mental health. He shares how his depression ended up being a blessing and provides actionable tips everyone can do to support their mental health.
You won't want to miss this conversation! Come Learn, Love, UpLevel, and help bring awareness to and end the stigma around Mental Health.
In this episode:
- How suicidal thoughts are more common than one might think
- Focusing on just putting one foot in front of the other
- How his struggles led him to his passion
- Getting himself out of autopilot
- Still being depressed after reaching his 6-figure dream
- Removing himself from societal conditioning
- Not having to be filled with rage
- What depression is
- The power of meditation
- Where to start if you’re new to meditating
- Using writing as therapy
- Self-compassion
- How being kind to yourself actually helps you get more things done
About Kvon:Kvon Tucker is a professionally trained Learning and Leadership Development expert, who has spent a third of his life dedicated to helping leaders, teams, and organizations learn, adapt, and transform. He has helped leaders at Netflix, Amazon, and Google adapt to hyper-growth and tremendous scale through experiential learning and coaching.
https://consciously.one
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Tina Meyers joins Christie Mann in this week's episode and gets very vulnerable as she shares about her mental health struggles and how she now uses her own lived experiences to help others discover how courageous they are. She also shares very practical tips you can start doing right away and even walks us through a meditation that helps bring out our inner warriors.
In this episode:
- Tina’s journey with anxiety
- Panic attacks in elementary school and feeling alone
- Being able to own your whole self
- Naming your inner warrior
- The importance of talking about your mental health
- Tips on how to share that you’re struggling with mental health issues
- The benefits of freeform writing
- Establishing healthy boundaries with yourself and others
- Examining how what you’re consuming is affecting you
About Tina:
After working as an environmental and social justice attorney and clean water advocate for several years, Tina was exhausted and felt like she was fighting to no avail, even when she won cases and received national awards. Knowing there must be something more, she switched paths and received her Master's degree in Spiritual Psychology and trained to become a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) with the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI). In working individually and with groups of women leaders and advocates, Tina has successfully combined her advocacy and conflict resolution background with her natural passion and fire to help those who help others. She founded Tina Meyers Intuitive Coaching in 2016 and Women Advocates Rising in 2018.
Tina now leads women leaders through one-on-one intensive coaching, workshops, conflict resolution, and mastermind programs. Both individual and group work empower women leaders to create a life where they feel more balanced, inspired, joyful and effective at fighting for their cause. Tina’s coaching supports women to get in touch with the answers they already have within themselves and move past any challenges or doubts they might face.
Tina is also global faculty at CTI, where she leads transformational coach training courses. She was also a manager for four years in CTI’s organizational department, where she brought powerful coaching and leadership development into organizations. She loves hip-hop dancing, is obsessed with personal growth, and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee, with her two kitty babies, Hazel and Neka.
https://www.womenadvocatesrising.com
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
In this powerful episode, Master Coach Joni Mar shares her experience with her own mental health journey, how the pandemic affected her and how the anti-Asian hate she experienced made her feel.
Also in this episode:
- The time of day when the suicide hotline rings the most
- How the Circadian Rhythm affects our inner saboteur
- What happens when your boundaries aren’t strong enough
- What Joni did to get back to a healthier mental state
- Having the courage to ask for help
- Getting back what you give
- How being alone can be dangerous
- When you need to listen to the outside voices
- How she gives herself time to get out
- The importance of getting out in nature
- Giving people a safe place to talk
- How to fill out an emotional quadrant
- How to not mask an emotion with food or something else
- One particular situation she experienced that was very hateful
- How you could handle a situation if you experience racism
- How having meaningful work helped her mental resilience
- What people who are in a service industry can do to support their own mental health
- The importance of blocking out time for your rest/vacation even if you’re not able to leave the house
Joni Mar is a Vancouver-based Master Certified Coach who works extensively in both Asia and North America, coaching and developing Leaders and their teams in large multinational organizations. As well as leading corporate courses for the Co-Active Training Institute in her role as a senior faculty member.
http://www.jonimar.com
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
We have felt for some time that the mental health challenges of COVID are the 2nd pandemic! In recent years, 40% of adults in the US (and more globally) have reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, up from 10% in 2019. And the pandemic has disproportionately affected the health of women and marginalized communities.
In many cases, people do not have the self-awareness, tools, or support systems to navigate this “new normal.” How has this become our “new normal?” It’s not just affecting us mentally, but it’s taking a toll on our children and us physically, emotionally, and energetically.
To aid with this, UpLevel Productions is dedicating Season 3 to Mental Health. We'll have informative sessions with experts & folks who have had their own struggles with mental health to support your mental, emotional, physical, and energetic health.
We are committed to ending the stigma around mental health and ensuring that all humans have access to tools and resources to support their well-being. Everyone is welcome!
In this kickoff to the season, Rachel Baldi and Christie Mann set the stage for a dynamic Season 3.
In this episode:
- The traumatic event that challenged their mental health
- Grief, in all areas
- The decline of Global mental health
- Rachel losing her core values
- What you can create from grief and loss
- Being alone during the pandemic
- Living losses
- The difference between grieving and mourning
- What to say to someone who is grieving
- The importance of deep listening
- How holding onto grief affects us
- The importance of employers providing mental health tools
- The importance of schools providing mental health tools
- Being the student rather than the expert
- Where to start in your journey with grief
- The concept of living wakes
- How to live while living
About Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC:
Rachel is on a mission to empower and inspire those around her to lead their lives with conscious presence, authenticity, and responsibility. As an Interfaith Advocate + End-of-Life Coach, Rachel brings her knowledge and expertise in coaching, leadership development, project management, workshop design, and facilitation to act as a conscious bridge between people of different cultures, races, and religions to build healthy relationships.
www.rachelbaldi.com
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Rachel Baldi joins Christie Mann to recap the "Well-Being in the Workplace" series, and they talk about the highlights from each episode. If you haven't gotten a chance to listen to the past episodes in this series, this episode will help you get a quick overview so you can decide which one you want to listen to first.
They also issue calls to action so organizations can learn what steps they can take right away to begin placing well-being in the workplace as a priority.
In this episode:
- Having well-being as a strategy
- Companies are trying to go back to a pre-pandemic flow, but that won’t work.
- How well-being in the workplace enhances talent retention and attraction
- The 5 Pillars of Well-being in the workplace
- How to set the tone that well-being is important in the workplace
- What a feedback loop is
- How to help BIPOC employees feel like they have a seat at the table
- Recapping the other episodes in this series
About Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC:
Rachel is on a mission to empower and inspire those around her to lead their lives with conscious presence, authenticity, and responsibility. As an Interfaith Advocate + End-of-Life Coach, Rachel brings her knowledge and expertise in coaching, leadership development, project management, workshop design, and facilitation to act as a conscious bridge between people of different cultures, races, and religions to build healthy relationships.
www.rachelbaldi.com
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
UpLevel Productions is committed to ending the stigma around mental health and ensuring that all humans have access to tools and resources to support their well-being. Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompa
In this episode, Jocelyn Pepe speaks with Christie Mann about how health is the foundation of life and how organizations are suffering because of a lack of understanding of how important wellbeing is.
She points out that we are not moving the needle on burnout and that burnout is having a very negative impact on our workforce, our people, our productivity, and our profits.
Jocelyn provides numerous nuggets of wisdom on how companies can work toward moving the needle and ultimately improving their bottom line by making well-being an integral part of the strategy.
Also in this episode:
- The 3 levels of stigma around mental health
- How storytelling from the top improves the culture
- Leading with vulnerability
- Working WITH home rather than AT home
- Making sure the right person is in the right position
- Why it’s important to bring in external resources
- Getting your employees to be aware of and use your resources and tools for well-being
- Boundary setting
- Modeling authentic well-being
- The importance of rest
- Following the cycles
- Going slow to go fast
About Jocelyn Pepe:
Jocelyn Pepe is a health and wellness expert with a rich and varied background in coaching and educating on physical, mental, and social wellbeing. As a global facilitator, Jocelyn takes a holistic approach to training and developing human potential.
In her life, she has felt the impact of being highly engaged in her career and yet out of alignment with her overall health and wellbeing, leading to burnout. As a mother of three navigating divorce, Jocelyn experienced firsthand the power of transformational coaching and what happens when you shift your mindset and reach deep down to access what she always knew was possible.
Through her coaching and speaking engagements, Jocelyn brings the audience along on a journey of self-awareness and self-reflection around their habits and wellbeing. Jocelyn is fiercely committed to every individual realizing the benefits of having their physical, mental, and social well-being aligned to thrive personally and professionally.
Professional Designations:
Jocelyn is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a Registered Health Coach (RHCTM), a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) via the International Coaches Federation, and a member of the Health Coach Alliance. As a master’s student studying The Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health, Jocelyn is committed to bringing the most current and relevant research into TrU Living and the organization's partnerships for every individual to gain the tools to thrive.
You can reach Jocelyn here: https://truliving.ca
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
This week's session, "How to Create a Culture of Well-Being," is with Jill Veglahn, Head of People at BAM.
In this episode, Jill shares actionable tips for creating a coaching culture in the workplace.
In This Episode:
- Implementing Caregiving time off
- History of work in the US
- Starting by slowing down
- Something workplaces really need to hear
- The impact of DEI on workplaces
- Creating a culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Psychological safety
- Fuck Ups and Failures
- How to make it acceptable to talk about mental health at work
- What happens when you don’t talk about things
- Introducing Red, Yellow, Green
- Helping people find purpose at work
- Taking meaningful action
Jill is the Head of People for a PR agency. She oversees all things HR, benefits, and culture and seeks to continually improve employee engagement and employee satisfaction by seeking to put BAM’s people first. In 2017, when she joined BAM, she leveraged her previous operations experience and human-centered philosophies to contribute to BAM’s rapid growth and to further build upon BAM’s culture. Having worked for years as a mentor and soccer coach and running her own fitness-based program with incarcerated youth, she takes pride in having a multi-disciplinary and humanistic approach to individuals and teams rooted in psychology, personal experience, coaching, and leadership studies.
You can reach Jill here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-veglahn-she-her-hers-a468928/
About UpLevel Productions:Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
This week's session, "Radical Compassion & Grace in the Workplace," is with Dr. Tiffany Grimes, 𝐶𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑎𝑛, 𝑀𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑡ℎ 𝐶𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒.
Dr. Grimes will be sharing tools she uses with her clients to help improve well-being and find Joy in the challenging stuff! There are lots of great nuggets in this one!
Key Takeaways:
- Her definition of well-being
- Having clear boundaries
- “No” doesn’t always mean “Never”
- How to start learning to say “no”
- Quick and free things you can do to boost your well-being quickly
- How organizations can provide easy opportunities for employees to be in charge of their own mental health.
- What people managers are struggling with now
- How to have radical compassion and grace in the workplace
UpLevel Productions is committed to ending the stigma around mental health and ensuring that all humans have access to tools and resources to support their Well-Being. Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
About Dr. Grimes:
Dr. Tiffany Grimes holds a doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Health Psychology from The University of Georgia, a MA in General Psychology from Boston University, and a BS in Psychology and Spanish from Millsaps College. She served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer for three years in Ecuador, where she worked in health promotion and HIV prevention & treatment.
Additionally, Dr. Grimes served as a Public Interest Policy Scholar at the APA in Washington D.C. Her research, policy, and clinical interests meet at the intersection of multicultural identity, health, and resilience. She also specializes in substance use, spirituality, meditation, mindfulness, and movement practices. She is also an alumnus of The George Washington University LGBT Health Policy & Practice Graduate Certificate Program. Dr. Grimes currently works as a primary and group therapist at The Mental Health Collective in Newport Beach, CA, and in private practice.
You can reach Dr. Grimes here:
https://themhcollective.com/team/#tiffany-grimes-orange-county-psychologist
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
In this episode of the Well-Being in the Workplace Event Series, host Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC is joined by Jocelyn Pepe, Corporate Wellness Coach + Founder of TrU Living.
Key Takeaways From This Episode:
- The definition of well-being
- What companies are now doing to support well-being in the workplace
- What companies can do to gain, retain and engage employees
- The current lag in employees feeling supported in their well-being
- How to have the important conversations
- No separation of work-self and home-self
- Something the Hilton Group is doing that’s working really well
- Authentic vulnerability-based leadership
- The skills leaders need in order to meet where the workplace is now
- How supported employees feel now compared to the beginning of the pandemic
About Jocelyn Pepe:
Jocelyn Pepe is a health and wellness expert with a rich and varied background in coaching and educating on physical, mental, and social wellbeing. As a global facilitator, Jocelyn takes a holistic approach to training and developing human potential.
In her life, she has felt the impact of being highly engaged in her career and yet out of alignment with her overall health and wellbeing, leading to burnout. As a mother of three, navigating divorce, Jocelyn experienced firsthand the power of transformational coaching and what happens when you shift your mindset and reach deep down to access what she always knew was possible.
Through her coaching and speaking engagements, Jocelyn brings the audience along, on a journey of self-awareness and self-reflection around their habits and wellbeing. Jocelyn is fiercely committed to every individual realizing the benefits of having their physical, mental, and social well-being aligned, to thrive personally and professionally.
Professional Designations:
Jocelyn is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a Registered Health Coach (RHCTM), a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) via the International Coaches Federation, and a member of the Health Coach Alliance. As a master’s student studying The Psychology & Neuroscience of Mental Health Jocelyn is committed to bringing the most current and relevant research into TrU Living and the organization's partnerships for every individual to gain the tools to thrive.
You can reach Jocelyn here: https://truliving.ca
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
This is the start of Season 2, "Well-Being in the Workplace."
In this episode, UpLevel Co-Founders & Hosts Christie Mann and Rachel Baldi kick off the event series. They discuss why this topic is so important, define what UpLevel means by “Well-Being,” and dropped some quick tips they are using and sharing with clients.
Key Takeaways:
- How much it’s costing the US to deal with unresolved mental health and grief challenges
- Guided Meditation: Ego Eradicator Meditation
- What to do to ground yourself when you’re rushing around
- The results in the workplace of employees not being able to process their grief
- What thriving organizations are doing in response to the increased grief we’ve experienced as people
- What’s costing organizations $75 Billion dollars
- Digital fatigue and what to do about it
- Eye exercise to help with digital fatigue
- The power of power napping
- Getting to a 4-day work week
- The connection between the eyes and the brain
- Not just jumping into brass tacks during meetings
UpLevel Productions is committed to ending the stigma around mental health and ensuring that all humans have access to tools and resources to support their well-being. Come Learn, Love and UpLevel with us!
About Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC:
Rachel is on a mission to empower and inspire those around her to lead their lives with conscious presence, authenticity, and responsibility. As an Interfaith Advocate + End-of-Life Coach, Rachel brings her knowledge and expertise in coaching, leadership development, project management, workshop design, and facilitation to act as a conscious bridge between people of different cultures, races, and religions to build healthy relationships.
www.rachelbaldi.com
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
We are living through times where the separation of an individual's work life and personal life has been minimized. People managers must provide much more than overseeing tasks and workflow; they need to know how to listen empathetically, honor emotions, acknowledge the whole person, and ask powerful questions.
Strong coaching cultures = strong engagement, collaboration, well-being, increased responsibility, development + revenue growth.
In this episode, the other Co-founder of UpLevel, Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, joins Christie Mann to recap this season and issues calls to action for organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- There’s science behind coaching at work
- How the Great Resignation can turn into the Great Retention
- The sweet spot employers need to help their employees find
- What employees are really looking for in a company
- The importance of + how to implement a coaching culture in your school
- Inspiring managers to become courageous coaches
- The metrics and ROI achieved from a Co-Active Coach training program at Google
- Why it’s ok to lose some employees in the process of transforming your company culture
- The 5 steps to creating a coaching culture
About Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC:
Rachel is on a mission to empower and inspire those around her to lead their lives with conscious presence, authenticity, and responsibility. As an Interfaith Advocate + End-of-Life Coach, Rachel brings her knowledge and expertise in coaching, leadership development, project management, workshop design, and facilitation to act as a conscious bridge between people of different cultures, races, and religions to build healthy relationships.
www.rachelbaldi.com
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Did you know employers can build stronger, more goal-oriented teams by having a coaching culture in the workplace? Founder & CEO of Eudaimonic by Design, Andrew Soren joined UpLevel Productions' co-founder Christie Mann to discuss Designing PERMACulture: The Science of Coaching at Work.
Also in this episode:
- What eudaimonic means and why he named his company Eudaimonic by Design
- What makes a good life
- How he got into coaching
- A training alternative to Applied Behavioral Science like what’s used when training dogs
- Why it’s so important to create a coaching culture right now
- What will happen to organizations that don’t
- How to make change with just one other person
- What Permaculture is
- Bridging the gap between the heart and the brain
- How to create a healthy environment of enablement
- The effects of a mismatched written vision versus what’s actually happening
You can reach Andrew here: https://www.eudaimonicbydesign.com
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
In this episode, we listen back to a celebration of ICF International Coaching Week (ICW) and the theme “ReImagine the Future,." Co-Founders of UpLevel Productions, Co-Active for Organizations Licensees, and CTI Faculty; Rachel Baldi and Christie Mann were thrilled to curate & host an explorative conversation about the Past, Present & Future of the Coaching Industry with some of the “original players” (OPs) of the profession.
This is an opportunity to hear from our beloved elders, be inspired, and get excited about the future of the coaching profession.
Hear from:
Karen Kimsey-House
Yuri Morikawa
Rick Tamlyn
Gülsün Zeytinoglu
Cynthia Loy Darst
Henry Kimsey-House
Key takeaways:
--Celebrate coaching and specifically Co-Active coaching.
--Honor some of the original players (OPs) of the profession and our community.
--Learn more about the history of coaching, the roots of Co-Active, and discuss the vision for its future.
--Discover the differences between "older" and "elder."
We have been longing to highlight these leaders and the impact they’ve created on our profession and our world. Come join us to Learn, Love and UpLevel.
This is a fantastic opportunity to hear a group interview/storytelling with some of your favorite Original Players, facilitated by UpLevel Productions.
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
Recent data shows that 96% of school administrators, 93% of teachers, and 81% of parents in the US believe that social, and emotional learning is as important as academic learning, but that only 22% of teachers feel prepared to deliver in that space.
The practice of coaching in the classroom is one of the most effective ways to bring out the best in students, develop their strengths and talents, build skills and confidence, and nurture learning further. In this episode, Graydin co-founder Quinn Simpson shares powerful tips about how to bring coaching into Education.
Also in this episode:
- How to encourage other decision-makers to get on board
- The impact that coaching has made in educational institutions across the world
- The five critical steps you need to take to embed a coaching culture
- What YOU can do in your daily life to lead change
- How everyone can be a coach
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
In this episode, Kelly Jones-Waller has mic drop after mic drop as she breaks down how companies can have happy employees and turn the Great Resignation into the Great Retention. Did you know that 85% of people within organizations are actively disengaged? And then another 73% are actively looking for new employment. That could cost businesses millions in turnover costs!
Also in this episode:
--The cost of disengaged employees
--What a coaching culture actually is
--What to ask in an interview
--What to look for during your interview process
--What you can do as an individual to find your own sweet spot in an organization
--The importance of asking for what you want/need
--Being able to listen to understand rather than listening to put in your 10 cents
--The benefits of having everyone at every level approach with a coaching mindset
--The ROI of creating a coaching culture
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany
In thisepisode, Kvon Tucker, CEO Consciously, ExGoogle, People Operations, starts us off strong and talks with Christie Mann about the project they worked on at Google while trying to create a coaching culture, and what they did that allowed them to be the only function inside the company to see an increase in an important KPI.
In This Episode:
- Working to transform an environment of fear to courage within an organization
- How to get decision-makers enrolled in the vision for a coaching culture, especially when they might be scared of losing employees after training
- The ROI of creating a coaching culture and the impact of dropping a LOVE BOMB inside the organization
- Why organizations should want their employees to be their full selves at work and developed as coaches
- A bit about the pros and cons of being an external coach/consultant vs. an internal one
- And much, much more!
About UpLevel Productions:
Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization.
www.uplevelproductions.com
Instagram @uplevelproductions
Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany