Community Good with Marney Andes: Recent Episodes
Marney Andes
At the end of every day, my dad would ask me “What did you do for the good of the community today, Marn?” That question prompted me to reflect on my day and reflect on my life. It’s the final lesson in my book, Start with the Give-Me Shots because when you take time to reflect, you uncover valuable lessons that help you grow, meet challenges, and make changes.
As you learn and apply lessons, you can share them for the good of the community, too.
I’m Marney Andes, host of Community Good, the podcast that shares powerful lessons to help you navigate the life you want.
In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes and Christina Joymon dive into the intersection of clarity, values, and action as they discuss the unique journeys of women navigating male-dominated fields. Christina shares her career evolution from engineering to entrepreneurship, illustrating how aligning decisions with personal values fosters fulfillment and success. The conversation uncovers the challenges women face in the workplace, including cultural inclusion and the need for a supportive community.
Christina highlights her experience building empathy-driven communities, the power of shared stories, and the role of self-discovery in empowering the next generation of women. They also explore the importance of self-care, quiet reflection, and cultivating strong partnerships to thrive in personal and professional spaces. Together, they emphasize how women can proactively navigate complexities and take decisive action to create supportive, inclusive environments for diverse backgrounds.
Main Topics
00:00 Introduction to Clarity and Career Paths
04:51 Christina's Journey: From Engineering to Entrepreneurship
08:29 Finding Clarity: Aligning Values with Decisions
16:22 Navigating Challenges: Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Field
20:54 Empowerment and Self-Discovery: Knowing Your Worth
26:33 Cultural Inclusion: Bridging Gaps Through Community Engagement
28:27 Building Community Through Shared Experiences
30:39 Taking Action: The Power of Decisiveness
34:19 The Importance of Self-Care and Quiet Time
39:04 Navigating Relationships: The Need for Partnership
46:08 Understanding Values in Relationships
More about Christina Joymon:
Christina Joymon is a trailblazer in engineering and entrepreneurship. With a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from Drexel University and a Master’s in Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology, she broke barriers as the first Asian woman to serve as President of the IEEE at her university. Christina’s career spans prestigious engineering roles, including her work as a Systems Engineer and Project Manager at BAE Systems, where she earned multiple accolades for innovation and leadership.
As the Founder of XIA Capital, Christina has spent over a decade helping others launch tech innovations with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and sustainability. Her passion for inspiring others extends beyond STEM—she’s also an award-winning novelist whose debut, Royal Planet, explores meaningful topics like colorism, adoption, and self-worth through an engaging, symbolic narrative.
A sought-after speaker, Christina has keynoted conferences like LeadHERship, championing equity and inclusion in STEM. When she’s not driving innovation, Christina enjoys running, family adventures, and fostering a spirit of curiosity and connection in everything she does.
Insta: @christina.joymon
Websites: www.christinaj.com
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
Insta: @shelives.intentionally
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In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes, and Allison Jackson explore the evolution of wellness journeys, focusing on the transition from competitive fitness to holistic well-being. They discuss the importance of self-compassion, the role of play in adult life, and the societal pressures that often prevent women from prioritizing their joy and fun. The dialogue emphasizes mindfulness as a tool for enhancing daily experiences and managing stress while addressing the guilt that often accompanies self-care. Ultimately, the conversation encourages listeners to embrace their unique wellness journeys and find joy.
Main Topics
00:00 Journey of Resilience and Transformation
04:56 The Limitations of Traditional Employment Law
09:56 Understanding Work Wounds: The Three B's
15:02 Empowerment and Redefining Work Relationships
19:59 Healing Work Wounds: A Framework for Change
25:05 Navigating Systemic Challenges in the Workplace
34:28 Transforming Individual Well-Being into Systemic Change
37:33 Navigating Workplace Wellness: Individual Choices and Organizational Culture
38:45 Setting Boundaries for Personal and Professional Growth
40:12 Self-Discovery Through Personality Insights
42:30 The Heart of Community: Connection and Support
More about Bree Johnson:
Bree Johnson is a changemaker who founded Executive Unschool, built on the premise that leadership is an inside job. Executive Unschool delivers cutting-edge executive leadership, well-being, and mindfulness programs for companies and teams.
Having served as a COO and employment law attorney, Bree Johnson discovered that her worth in work wasn’t working. This personal journey led her to a new path, where she now assists leaders in overcoming professional setbacks and work wounds to reveal their authentic leadership. Her podcast, The Untamed Mind, delves into well-being, work culture, and conscious leadership.
Insta: @breejohnsonofficial
Websites: www.executiveunschool.com |www.bree-johnson.com
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
https://www.facebook.com/marneyandesauthor
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes, and Allison Jackson explore the evolution of wellness journeys, focusing on the transition from competitive fitness to holistic well-being. They discuss the importance of self-compassion, the role of play in adult life, and the societal pressures that often prevent women from prioritizing their joy and fun. The dialogue emphasizes mindfulness as a tool for enhancing daily experiences and managing stress while addressing the guilt that often accompanies self-care. Ultimately, the conversation encourages listeners to embrace their unique wellness journeys and find joy.
Main Topics
00:00 Introduction to Wellness Journeys
04:20 Transitioning from Competition to Wellness
10:30 The Importance of Play and Fun
18:29 Overcoming Guilt and Societal Expectations
24:28 Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
30:44 Creating Boundaries for Self-Care
More about Allison Jackson:
After hitting 50, Allison quickly realized that all aspects of her definition of wellness would need to shift. From marathoner to competitive pro bodybuilder to yogi and sound healer, Allison will take you along her journey as she learns what it means to have a “healthy lifestyle” in this new era.
As a speaker for women's retreats, trade organizations, and corporate groups, she aims to help burned-out corporate professionals prioritize their wellness through mindfulness, nutrition, and movement. She’s also a certified meditation instructor, nutrition coach, personal trainer, yoga instructor, and sound healer.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonrjackson
https://www.allisonjacksonfitness.com/
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
https://www.facebook.com/marneyandesauthor
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
In this episode of Community Good, Marney Andes and Julie Applegate explore the benefits and barriers of women in community. The benefits include increased psychological well-being, improved sense of belonging and self-efficacy, and enhanced personal and professional development. The barriers include fear of judgment and vulnerability, internalized misogyny and competition, lack of trust or previous negative experiences, and time constraints and competing responsibilities. Marney and Julie share personal experiences and discuss the importance of women supporting each other's growth. The conversation ends with a call to action to reach out to another woman, celebrate and support each other, and prioritize self-care.
Main Topics
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage
00:29 The Benefits of Women in Community
09:01 Barriers to Women Seeking Support in Community
17:05 Supporting Women's Growth and Development
23:26 Taking Small Steps to Build Community
30:36 Conclusion and Call to Action
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Marney and Julie Applegate discuss the 'should storm' concept and how it affects women.
Main Topics
00:00 Introduction
02:27 Defining the Should Storm
14:40 The Cost of Internalizing Shoulds
26:46 Questioning and Reframing Shoulds
31:44 Releasing Shoulds and Seeking Support
33:44 Creating a Community that Challenges Societal Norms
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Dani Holliday, current Mrs. Colorado 2023, is a trailblazer in many ways. Aside from her title-winning persona, she carries abundant wisdom forged from the life experiences that shaped her into the strong role model she is today. In her conversation with Marney, Dani pulls back the curtain to reveal her unique story through heartbreak and healing. In her youth, Dani’s first love was competitive gymnastics. When she suffered a series of life-altering injuries, she made the difficult decision to give up her dream of becoming a college gymnast. Spiraling from chronic pain and her severed identity, Dani became dependent on opioids. Her highly functioning addiction took her on a journey of self-discovery that changed her life.
Falling in love with her now husband and becoming a bonus mom was the turning point Dani needed to deal with her opioid dependency. Utilizing therapy and self-reflection, she was able to free herself from the grip of opioids. Now she uses various platforms to share her story in hopes of helping others experiencing similar struggles. Building a non-traditional family has only strengthened her resolve to set appropriate boundaries and live in alignment with her authentic self. Dani is now an advocate for those struggling with infertility as she draws from her own journey with IVF. While earning the title of Mrs. Colorado boosted her reach, Dani’s mission to support women extends far beyond her platform as a pageant competitor.
Main Topics
Marney finds her platform in the pageant world (04:30)
The woman behind the title of Mrs. Colorado (08:40)
Dani Holliday beyond her public persona (11:44)
Dani’s early life as a competitive gymnast (13:15)
Multiple surgeries led to an opioid addiction (18:50)
Becoming a bonus parent inspired her sobriety (21:45)
Uncovering core wounds through counseling (24:45)
Support for opioid dependents (28:20)
Using personal struggle as inspiration for others (31:40)
Dani’s journey with infertility and non-traditional family life (34:30)
Parenting a multiracial child (41:00)
Episode Links
https://mrscolorado.com/mrscolorado
Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/mrs_colorado_2023
https://www.facebook.com/daniellemuss
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
https://www.facebook.com/marneyandesauthor
https://www.tiktok.com/@marneyandeslessons
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Dani Holliday, current Mrs. Colorado 2023, is a trailblazer in many ways. Aside from her title-winning persona, she carries abundant wisdom forged from the life experiences that shaped her into the strong role model she is today. In her conversation with Marney, Dani pulls back the curtain to reveal her unique story through heartbreak and healing. In her youth, Dani’s first love was competitive gymnastics. When she suffered a series of life-altering injuries, she made the difficult decision to give up her dream of becoming a college gymnast. Spiraling from chronic pain and her severed identity, Dani became dependent on opioids. Her highly functioning addiction took her on a journey of self-discovery that changed her life.
Falling in love with her now husband and becoming a bonus mom was the turning point Dani needed to deal with her opioid dependency. Utilizing therapy and self-reflection, she was able to free herself from the grip of opioids. Now she uses various platforms to share her story in hopes of helping others experiencing similar struggles. Building a non-traditional family has only strengthened her resolve to set appropriate boundaries and live in alignment with her authentic self. Dani is now an advocate for those struggling with infertility as she draws from her own journey with IVF. While earning the title of Mrs. Colorado boosted her reach, Dani’s mission to support women extends far beyond her platform as a pageant competitor.
Main Topics
- Marney finds her platform in the pageant world (04:30)
- The woman behind the title of Mrs. Colorado (08:40)
- Dani Holliday beyond her public persona (11:44)
- Dani’s early life as a competitive gymnast (13:15)
- Multiple surgeries led to an opioid addiction (18:50)
- Becoming a bonus parent inspired her sobriety (21:45)
- Uncovering core wounds through counseling (24:45)
- Support for opioid dependents (28:20)
- Using personal struggle as inspiration for others (31:40)
- Dani’s journey with infertility and non-traditional family life (34:30)
- Parenting a multiracial child (41:00)
Episode Links
- https://mrscolorado.com/mrscolorado
Connect with Dani:
https://www.instagram.com/mrs_colorado_2023
https://www.facebook.com/daniellemuss
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
https://www.facebook.com/marneyandesauthor
https://www.tiktok.com/@marneyandeslessons
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
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Google Podcasts
Marney pauses to reflect on the lessons she’s learning and practicing and to thank listeners for walking this journey alongside her. In a relatively short span of time, she published a book, left her job in executive leadership, and started a podcast. Investing time and energy into building new platforms is a deeply rewarding experience. Marney is now taking the time to reflect back on her process and glean valuable lessons from her successes and mistakes. Much in alignment with the theme of her book, she believes we all have wisdom inside us from our life experiences. Harnessing that wisdom as a resource for building the next phase of life requires stillness and honesty. In pushing herself to new growth edges, Marney announces a new direction for her podcast. She will continue sharing her own and other people’s stories, but now she wants to dive deeper into even more impactful territory. After a short hiatus with the podcast, she’ll be back with a fresh name and laser-sharp focus on asking hard questions and exploring truths.
Main Topics
- Marney reflects on her book Start With the Give-Me Shots (00:30)
- Her reasons for starting her podcast (02:30)
- The shift from a corporate job to running her own consulting business (04:00)
- New direction for diving deep with the podcast (06:15)
Episode Links
- https://www.marneyandes.com/the-book
Connect with Marney:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
https://www.instagram.com/marneyandes
https://www.facebook.com/marneyandesauthor
https://www.tiktok.com/@marneyandeslessons
Listen, rate, and subscribe!
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Google Podcasts
Dr. Liz Wilson, a behavioral scientist, organizational transformation expert, and founder of Include Inc., shares more about her journey to working with organizations on inclusion, her 8-inclusion needs of all people, and great insights for all of us live by in our day to day interactions with each other.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What behaviors and attitudes regarding inclusion exist in my personal and professional life, and how can I continue to improve and learn?
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How can I learn from and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds?
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In what ways can I use my privilege and influence to advocate for underrepresented groups and promote equity?
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About Dr. Liz Wilson:
Originally from Australia and now based in the United States, Dr. Liz is well known for her authentic, honest, and pragmatic approach to everything she does. This includes her simple yet powerful, Include Change Method that has achieved remarkable results for her clients over her 25+ year career.
Dr. Liz has transformed the ways of working and cultures of dozens of global organizations, including major airlines, banks, consumer goods, telecommunications, mining, rail, tech, and medtech companies.
With a professional purpose that has always centered around the desire to equip individuals, teams, and organizations to thrive, Dr. Liz’s unrelenting curiosity also led her to research and find the solution to inclusion transformation and reducing discrimination, with the development of the 8-Inclusion Needs of all People.
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Connect with Liz:
Website: theincludeinc.com
LinkedIn: @drlizwilson
Podcast: Include with Dr. Liz
Melissa Payne is the bestselling author of four novels, including A Light in the Forest and The Night of Many Endings, who talks about her journey from an early career fundraiser to a full-time career author. Beyond her exceptional writing talent and personal success, she’s an inspiration, believing deeply and reminding us that we have a story to share.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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How can sharing our personal stories benefit us and those around us?
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How can listening to other people's stories broaden our perspectives and enhance our understanding of the world?
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In what ways can sharing our stories create a sense of community and connectedness?
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About Melissa Payne:
Melissa Payne is the bestselling author of four novels, including A Light in the Forest and The Night of Many Endings. After a graduate degree in Public Administration and an early career raising money for nonprofit organizations, Melissa dreamed of becoming a published author and decided to write her first novel. Her books, two-time Colorado Book Award finalists and a 2019 Colorado Authors League winner for mainstream fiction, feature small mountain towns with characters searching for redemption, love, and second chances. She’s spoken to book clubs, reading groups, literary festivals, and the occasional podcast about her writing journey and believes everyone has a story to share. Melissa lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children, a friendly mutt, a very loud cat, and the occasional bear.
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Connect with Melissa:
Website: melissapayneauthor.com
Instagram: @melissapayne_writes
Buy Melissa’s Books:
The Night of Many Endings
A Light in the Forest
The Secrets of Lost Stones
Memories in the Drift
Cindy Abramson and Sheryl Gurrentz are the co-authors of the book A Strange Period, sharing the mental and physical changes they experienced during their early 40s and what led them to write the book they were seeking at the time.
Focused on perimenopause and unpredictable and sometimes funny, not-so-funny, unlimited symptoms, our conversation reminds us that we are not alone. And that one of the most powerful ways to experience change is to do so with each other, openly and honestly.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What are some benefits of seeking open, honest dialogue during change?
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How can we encourage others to engage in open and honest dialogue, especially when they may be hesitant or resistant?
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How can open and honest dialogue contribute to building stronger and more resilient communities?
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About Adriana Bucci:
Cindy Abramson and Sheryl Gurrentz are BFFs who aren't afraid to discuss the gory details of the mental and physical changes they began experiencing in their early 40s. They admit it took them a while to realize that what they were experiencing was perimenopause but blame their confusion on the lack of available resources to help women their age figure it out. When they couldn't find supportive, current, consistent information on what women experience before menopause, they created the book they sought.
Sheryl Gurrentz and Cindy Singer previously wrote If Your Child is Bipolar. Sheryl also wrote The Guilt-Free Guide to Your New Life as a Mom. Both books have been recognized as National Parenting Publications Gold Award Winners. The authors each have a wonderful husband, and two children, and live in Denver, Colorado.
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Buy The Book:
Amazon: A Strange Period
Adriana Bucci, after nearly three decades of enduring narcissistic abuse and four years of dealing with severe chronic pain and migraines, made the choice to embark on her own healing journey.
Now, a life coach, specializing in helping other people heal from narcissistic trauma and abuse, Adriana shares more information about what narcissism is, how you might be experiencing people with it in your workplace, family, or personal life, and strategies for healing, setting clear and healthy boundaries and moving on.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What relationships in your life, professional and personal, have been difficult to manage?
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How have you experienced people with narcissistic behaviors in your professional and personal life?
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What do you need to do to set clear boundaries for yourself?
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About Adriana Bucci:
Adriana Bucci is a narcissistic abuse recovery life coach based in Toronto, Canada. She empowers her clients worldwide to heal from narcissistic abuse, set boundaries, and live life on their own terms. After nearly three decades of enduring narcissistic abuse and four years of dealing with severe chronic pain and migraines, she learned about the mind-body connection and, despite being skeptical, made the choice to embark on her own healing journey. This not only helped her heal from the physical pain, but it also helped her heal from having been raised by a narcissistic mother, other close narcissistic relationships, and toxic colleagues and workplaces. Her own healing journey inspired her to become a life coach so she could help other people in similar situations have a chance at living life on their own terms.
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Connect with Adriana:
Website: letsgetyourshifttogether.com/community/
Instagram: @letsgetyourshifttogether
Danette Haag shares her experiences living through and living with a severe burn injury from a house explosion as a child. A registered nurse, trauma mentor, and speaker, Danette shares how her experience has helped her redefine beauty by bringing purpose to the pain. So instead of being limited by the scars in our lives, we can be empowered by them.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What scars, physical or figurative, can you explore more and find beauty within?
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What metaphors or analogies can you consider eliminating from your dialogue due to their insensitive nature?
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When you feel doubt, how can you flip your script and move through it?
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About Danette Haag:
Danette Haag is a wife, a mom of 4, and an athlete. She is an inspirational speaker, a registered nurse, a trauma mentor, and a soul coach who gives credit for her successes to her lifetime of strong faith. She is honored to have received the 2019 Northern Colorado Woman of Courage award and won the prestigious title of Mrs. Colorado 2021. Danette is a co-founder and program leader for her 501c3 nonprofit Hero Haven – a unique program for first responders dealing with the negative effects of cumulative trauma. In her roles as a speaker, a soul coach, a trauma mentor, and a Hero Haven retreat facilitator, Danette shares her experiences living through and living with a severe burn injury from a house explosion as a little girl. Danette’s mission is to inspire others to see their own incredible value by sharing all she has learned from walking with courage, healing her soul, and redefining her beauty – bringing purpose to her own pain. Danette is ‘Beauty From Ashes’ and believes no one needs to get stuck behind any life scar.
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Connect with Danette:
Website: beautyfromashesspeaker.com
Instagram: @beautyfromashes_2021
Facebook: @danettebeautyfromashes
Cali Williams Yost is a visionary workplace futurist, strategist, and author who shares her perspective and experience working with organizations and individuals to rethink and reimagine the way work is done. We are living in a time when we have an opportunity to not only change the way we think about work, but also implement those changes in a way that positively impacts our work.
Called “one of the most sophisticated thinkers” on the transformation of work by The New York Times, her commentary is frequently featured in the Wall Street Journal and NBC Nightly News.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What workplace traditions can you reimagine or rethink?
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How would you benefit from shifting your focus from “where” you work to “what” you’re working on?
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What small changes or “tweaks” can you make to optimize your well-being?
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About Cali Williams Yost:
For more than two decades, Cali Williams Yost has been a leading authority on high-performance work flexibility. A visionary workplace futurist, strategist, and author, Yost is the Founder and CEO of the Flex+Strategy Group, a solutions company helping organizations unlock performance and engagement by reimagining how, when, and where work is done.
Called “one of the most sophisticated thinkers” on the transformation of work by The New York Times, her commentary is frequently featured in the Wall Street Journal, HBR, USA TODAY, Marketplace and NBC Nightly News. Yost approaches flexible work transformation as a strategic business imperative. She codified her concepts in her books, Tweak It: Make What Matters to You Happen Every Day, (Hachette, 2013), and Work+Life: Finding the Fit That’s Right for You (Penguin Group, 2004).
Yost graduated with honors from Columbia Business School where she’s noted as an alumnus of “Changing the World.” In 2018, she was named one of the global management thinkers “On the Radar” by Thinkers50, and she was cited as one of Forbes’s 40 Women to Watch Over 40.
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Connect with Cali:
Website: flexstrategygroup.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caliwilliamsyost/
Sheryl Gurrentz, entrepreneur and author, over the course of her career, has worked and consulted with several non-profits, large corporations, and start-ups, to help them align their mission, operations, and more. Yet, some of her most cherished experiences have come out of the time, resources, and energy she’s provided to organizations such as CASA, Denver Children’s Home, and JTown, where she was also the founding President. And how has she navigated this dynamic between work and volunteering?
As she shares in this episode, when you find yourself on what feels like the edges of your life, then you’re likely too far from your real purpose, which is your prompting to switch directions and move back towards your center.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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When have you felt as though you’re not doing what you’re meant to do?
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What experiences bring you back to your center?
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What causes feel closest to your center and would benefit from your time and energy?
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About Sheryl Gurrentz:
Sheryl Gurrentz has worked and consulted with non-profits and their boards, large corporations, start-ups, and entrepreneurial companies to help them align their mission and operations, identify and evaluate expansion options, implement new fundraising/financing strategies, and maintain regulatory compliance.
Her volunteer positions include serving as President of the Board of Trustees of the Denver Children’s Home Foundation and as Chair of Resource Development for the Board of Directors of Denver Children’s Home, which is Colorado’s oldest non-profit organization. She was also the founding President of JTown, a Board Member of the Mountain States Council of the Anti-Defamation League, on the Community Fundraising Advisory Council for Lone Tree Arts Center, and held multiple board leadership positions at Temple Sinai, including Vice President of Development, where she designed and led a $5M capital campaign. Since 2011, she has been a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) serving children in the child welfare system. Currently, she volunteers with Project Our Town, The Realness Project, and Dry Bones—all of which are non-profits serving our community’s most at-risk members.
She is the author of four books, has been a regular columnist for the Rocky Mountain News’ Colorado Jobs publication, and has a degree in Economics from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Connect with Sheryl:
projectourtown.org
denvercasa.org
realnessproject.org
drybonesdenver.org
Diane Simard, a motivational speaker, and breast cancer survivor has dedicated her life to raising awareness about the psychological trauma that often accompanies a cancer diagnosis.
Recognized as one of the inaugural Top 100 National Women in Business to Watch by BizWomen.com within three months of completing treatment, Diane founded the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) at the University of Denver and began writing her award-winning book, The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer.
Sharing more about her life, her journey, and her book, you’ll learn that even the most challenging experience can unwrap the most unlikely gifts.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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Who in your life needs support with a health concern
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How has your life prepared you for adversity?
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What unlikely gifts have your challenges in life provided?
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About Diane Simard:
Recognized as one of the inaugural Top 100 National Women in Business to Watch by BizWomen.com, Diane M. Simard is an executive leadership legacy creator, motivational speaker, survivor of Stage III breast cancer, and psycho-oncology advocate to bring more attention to the psychological trauma cancer often creates.
Within three months of completing treatment, Diane founded the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) at the University of Denver and began writing the multi award-winning book, The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer, named one of Book Authority’s best breast cancer books of all time. Her COPE story is featured in Courageous Warrior: Beauty from the Ashes, a multi-award-winning independent documentary film now streaming.
During her career as a business strategy executive and angel investor, she served on 12 corporate and non-profit boards and was recently named a Distinguished Alumni by her alma-mater, the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
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Connect with Diane:
Website: dianemsimard.com
Melissa Carpenter, a seasoned HR leader, began experiencing a left-hand tremor and other symptoms at only 37 years old and just two years later, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Not only a recent inductee into the Lincoln East High School Athletic Hall of Fame for gymnastics, but Melissa is also far from the typical demographics of Parkinson’s patients; men over the age of 50 years old.
What you’ll learn is that Melissa is navigating her Parkinson’s journey like her professional journey, with curiosity, courageous leadership, and above all, extreme gratitude.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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How can the practice of gratitude help you develop a more positive outlook on life, even in the face of challenging or uncertain circumstances?
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Think of a challenge you faced recently. How can practicing gratitude for what you do have, rather than the challenge, help you navigate a better solution?
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In what ways might gratitude be used as a tool for self-reflection and personal growth?
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About Melissa Carpenter:
Melissa Carpenter has a strong passion for the "human" part of Human Resources. A strategic HR leader, she’s developed and facilitated leadership programs that help managers focus on courageous leadership, exploring and leading themselves and their teams through complex issues.
She has been on her journey with Parkinson’s since 2014 and continues exploring ways to support herself as well as spread awareness throughout the community.
Her daughter Olivia joined her when she facilitated her first Facebook live in 2019, inciting several great questions and community support around Parkinson’s. She continues to spread awareness about the disease, especially during Parkinson’s awareness month in April.
Melissa’s been approved for DBS surgery which is deep, brain stimulation, a type of therapy to help control symptoms on a more consistent basis, as well as help decrease the use of medications like dyskinesia, which I discussed in the podcast, it will hopefully give me a better quality of life. I meet with my neurosurgeon next week and hopefully, from there, we will schedule the surgery.
She resides in Lincoln, Nebraska with her husband Kris and two children, Caden (14 years old) and Olivia (11 years old).
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Connect with Melissa:
LinkedIn: Melissa Carpenter
Sabrina Smith, the author of the book, What Does Fine Feel Like, talks about her journey of experiencing and identifying feelings. Sabrina lost both of her parents during the pandemic. Like many Gen Xers, she explored how to name her feelings later in life. She shares more about the power of therapy, moving through rather than getting stuck in life’s challenges and embracing the notion that everything prepares you for the next moment.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What experiences have impacted your life?
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What can you learn from your experiences?
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What feelings have you experienced lately?
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How can you take the time to name your feelings, sit in them, and explore what they mean to you?
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About Sabrina Smith:
Sabrina VanDine Smith is a first-time author, Gen Xer, and lover of sparkle. She was raised in Southern California, but calls Colorado home, where she lives with her husband and two children. She loves lake life, creative writing, geocaching, cooking, and amateur photography.
She was either a gossip columnist or a private investigator in her former life. Though Sabrina's long career as a salesperson was inspired by her dad, being a mom and wife feeds her soul. Sabrina lost both of her parents during the pandemic.
Like many Gen Xers, she explored how to name her feelings much later in life. That journey inspired this story.
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Connect with Sabrina Smith:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sabrinasmith/
Amazon Book: What Does Fine Feel Like
Jennifer Long, a mom, wife, and sales leader, added the title of “animal rescuer” 5 years ago when she purchased five and ½ acres outside of Seattle and founded The Muddy Pug Farm & Sanctuary. Initially dedicated to providing sanctuary to animals, Jen’s passion project has provided lessons for her, her family, her team, and the community. Jen is an example that following your passion is essential, offering lessons to practice in all other aspects of life.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What things give you joy?
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What are you passionate about?
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What idea, experience, or dream do you want to pursue?
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About Jennifer Long:
Jennifer Long is a mom, a wife, an animal rescuer, and a sales leader. She has navigated a successful career in employee benefits, spending the bulk of her career solving some of the most complicated employer challenges within health plans. She currently leads Kaiser Permanente's growth as a Senior Director focused on large employer plans.
In 2018, Jen purchased five 1/2-acre farm 25 miles southeast of Seattle with the dream of rescuing animals. Jen founded The Muddy Pug Farm & Sanctuary, a 501(c)3 non-profit farm sanctuary dedicated to saving lives, giving sanctuary, and building community. Her work there focuses on the 40 permanent residents with cows, sheep, goats, chickens, ducks, bunnies, and cats, all of whom now live in a peaceful forever home. Jen also partners with community non-profits to extend their impact on the community. Jen and her husband recently added 9 acres to an existing property in rural Hawaii to begin work on a second sanctuary site focused on abandoned cows and dogs.
Jen has launched her podcast - Be the Goat: Lessons Learned from a Life in Sanctuary - where she profiles sanctuary and rescue founders to bring unique insights into life and business.
Jen and her husband have three children and love watching these wonderful young adults launch their independent lives.
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Connect with Jennifer Long:
Website: muddypugfarm.org
Instagram: instagram.com/the_muddy_pug
Podcast: instagram.com/be_the_goat_lessons
Denise Liebetrau has spent much of her career guiding individuals and organizations through compensation challenges, including teaching negotiation skills and developing effective pay practices. At the heart of it all, she’s helping people uncover what is most important to them so that they get paid what they are worth and have careers that align with their values.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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When considering a role or employer, what are your essential needs? And how are your essential needs being met or not being met, currently?
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When it comes to negotiation, whom can you ask for help?
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How can you practice your negotiation skills daily?
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About Denise Liebetrau:
Denise Liebetrau and her team maximize profit and impact for employers as trusted advisors on HR and compensation issues. Denise coaches high performers, so they get paid what they are worth and have careers aligned to their values.
As a speaker and trainer, she focuses on topics like maximizing pay through effective negotiation, difficult conversations, conflict resolution, pay transparency, workplace equity, emotional intelligence, and executive presence.
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Connect with Denise:
Website: prosperconsultingllc.com
Social media: prosperconsultingllc.com/social
Tami Forman focuses on giving people who’ve taken time from their careers to care for their loved ones the opportunity to re-enter the workforce. She shares more about bias with work/life conflict for both women and men, how we need to rethink what it means to work, and how we, shockingly, still navigate decades-old norms, need to be open to radical ideas to make real change in our workplace and our lives.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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When I care for others, what strategies and skills do I learn?
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How can I reimagine the work and social norms I’ve been taught?
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Who am I surrounding myself with to help me be my best at work and home?
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How can I engage others in a dialogue about work/life conflict?
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About Tami Forman:
Tami Forman is the founding chief executive of Path Forward, a nonprofit organization that empowers stay-at-home mothers and other caregivers to restart their careers.
Since its founding in 2016, Path Forward has worked with more than 100 companies, including Amazon, Apple, Comcast NBC Universal, Netflix, SAP, Walmart, and Verizon to launch, implement and expand returnships and other return-to-work programs for mid-career professionals. Eighty percent of Path Forward’s program graduates have converted into full-time employment.
Tami is a frequent speaker on issues related to women’s participation in the workforce, having presented at the Grace Hopper Celebration, DisruptHR, Tech Inclusion, and the Conference Board’s Women’s Leadership Conference, among many others. She is also a frequent podcast guest on topics related to careers and women in the workplace. She writes a career column for Forbes, is a Fairygodboss VIP , and was named by Flexjobs as one of the top 20 career experts for working moms. She also works with the NYC Department of Education, helping to achieve gender equity in STEM education in a school system that educates more than a million children. Tami lives in New York City with her husband and two children.
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Connect with Tami Forman:
Website: pathforward.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tamimforman
Dr. Lynn Gangone is a nationally known writer and speaker on gender equality, with expertise in women’s education and educational equity. Among Lynn’s many accolades, she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado and one of the 2013 “Women Making History.” She shares her thoughts on women in leadership, the importance of voting and education, how those are intimately tied to one another, and how we have a role in changing the systems that aren’t currently serving all.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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How do you acquire information?
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How has formal education impacted your life?
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What systems around you need repairing?
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What step(s), big or small, can you take to help fix broken systems?
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About Dr. Lynn Gangone:
Dr. Lynn Gangone is a nationally known writer and speaker on gender equality, with expertise in women’s education and educational equity. She focused on leadership development and career advancement for women in higher education. Among her many accolades, she was recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado and one of the 2013 “Women Making History.” She received an Ed.D. and M.Ed. in higher and postsecondary administration from Columbia University. Dr. Gangone is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.
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Connect with Dr. Lynn Gangone:
YouTube: Lynn’s TEDx Talk
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-lynn-m-gangone-32ba068/
Putting pen to paper has several benefits, including establishing a positive daily habit for yourself, improving your memory, and clearing your mental “clutter.” In this episode, I share benefits, as well as types of journals that can inspire you to start writing, whether you’re new or a long-time journaling fan.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What experience do you need to explore more deeply?
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Where in your current environment would you be most comfortable journaling?
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For consistency, what daily habits can you pair with journaling?
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About Marney Andes:
Marney Andes is a consultant, educator, and entrepreneur. She has dedicated her career to supporting teams and individuals as they develop and grow. She is the host of Community Good, the podcast that shares powerful lessons to help people navigate the life they want.
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Connect with Marney:
Website: linktr.ee/marneyandes
Instagram: instagram.com/marneyandes
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
A complimentary, 6-minute guided meditation session for you to use anytime.
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About Lisa Woods:
Lisa has served as a strategic consultant, advisor, and confidante for leaders in political office, higher education, and nonprofits, on issues related to strategy, policy, public relations, marketing, and fundraising. She's also a certified Life, Spiritual, and Health+Wellness coach with a compassionate and empathetic approach to guiding others to create the change they seek.
On her website, she states…" After spending 2020 inside myself and listening to my heart, watching the world tear apart and slowly piece itself back together, I decided to change my focus. No longer the strategic consultant with all the answers, my new role would be defined as a partner, teaming up with those who desire to deeply shift their focus, too, from a place of uncertainty to one of hope. I didn't want to be a coach telling people what to do, I wanted to facilitate growth by inspiring resilience in a new generation of leaders — not just in age but in my approach.
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Connect with Lisa:
Website: outofthewoodsstrategies.com
We all experience transitions throughout our lives. They can be planned or unplanned, distressing or exciting. Life Coach, Lisa Woods, has helped me navigate changes before and was immediately available to help me with my most recent life transition. If you’re experiencing a transition, have gone through a transition, or want to learn more about navigating your next transition, listen in and learn how so much of transitioning is learning to forge a deeper connection with yourself.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What life transition(s) have you experienced or are you experiencing?
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What have the transitions taught you about yourself?
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How can you take time to connect with yourself and uncover more?
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About Lisa Woods:
Lisa has served as a strategic consultant, advisor, and confidante for leaders in political office, higher education, and nonprofits, on issues related to strategy, policy, public relations, marketing, and fundraising. She's also a certified Life, Spiritual, and Health+Wellness coach with a compassionate and empathetic approach to guiding others to create the change they seek.
On her website, she states…" After spending 2020 inside myself and listening to my heart, watching the world tear apart and slowly piece itself back together, I decided to change my focus. No longer the strategic consultant with all the answers, my new role would be defined as a partner, teaming up with those who desire to deeply shift their focus, too, from a place of uncertainty to one of hope. I didn't want to be a coach telling people what to do, I wanted to facilitate growth by inspiring resilience in a new generation of leaders — not just in age but in my approach.
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Connect with Lisa:
Website: outofthewoodsstrategies.com
Briana Boehmer has found a way to harness her passion for running into successful entrepreneurship. She’s completed six full Ironman’s, including the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, and recently set a masters marathon record at the California International Marathon, running 2:33 and, with that incredible finish, hitting an Olympic Trials qualifying time. As a coach and elite-level athlete, she’s incorporated lessons from endurance events into strategic business planning, all with the undercurrent that one’s health is one of the most valuable assets to a successful life.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What business or ideas have you thought about pursuing?
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How are you caring for your health (body, mind, and spirit)?
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What have you wanted to try but haven’t started yet?
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About Briana Boehmer:
Briana is a business leader and entrepreneur with 14 years of experience in start-up business development, software management, and brand outreach. She is also a coach and elite-level athlete, and these passions have long informed and aided her business roles. Briana is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Run the Edge, a Boulder-based fitness platform that aims to make fitness fun, accessible, and integral to daily life. They inspire and include people worldwide with their devoted team, dynamic challenges, and community-first approach.
Briana ran collegiately for the University of Colorado and the University of Wisconsin, but now you'll find her standing atop the podium in endurance events. She’s completed six full Ironman’s, including the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, and recently set a masters marathon record at the California International Marathon, running 2:33 and, with that incredible finish, hitting an Olympic Trials qualifying time.
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Connect with Briana:
Website: runtheedge.com
Instagram: instagram.com/briboehmer/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brianaboehmer/
Twitter: twitter.com/BriBoehmer
We’ve been taught throughout most of our lives that success and achievement depend on our ability to set goals. In this episode, I’ll share my thoughts on why you need to stop setting goals and do something more impactful to experience real, long-term change.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
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What are your passions?
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What habits are serving you? What habits are not serving you?
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How can you celebrate small wins when making progress?
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About Marney Andes:
Marney Andes is a consultant, educator, and entrepreneur. She has dedicated her career to supporting teams and individuals as they develop and grow. She is the host of Community Good, the podcast that shares powerful lessons to help people navigate the life they want.
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Connect with Marney:
Website: linktr.ee/marneyandes
Instagram: instagram.com/marneyandes
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/marneyandes
Greg Roche knows firsthand what it’s like to be without a job suddenly and a network to help find a new opportunity. The author of The Fast and Easy Guide to Networking for Introverts, Greg shares the importance of treating your network like a garden; tending to it consistently so that it’s ready when you need it. He shares more about the do’s and don’ts of networking, helping you see that if done well, networking is about creating relationships and adding value to others.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- How do you develop new relationships?
- Rather than burning out, how can you begin to share your needs?
- In what ways can you check in with your colleagues?
- How can you practice talking less and listening more?
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About Greg Roche:
Greg Roche helps introverts grow their networks without going to networking events. He is the author of The Fast and Easy Guide to Networking for Introverts, he posts every weekday on LinkedIn about networking, and he recently launched The Introverted Networker which is his weekly newsletter that delivers one networking tip to your inbox every Saturday morning.
He's a VP of Compensation at a large healthcare company and has spent the last 25 years of his professional life working in the healthcare, consulting, cybersecurity, and multifamily real estate industries. Greg is a Colorado native who has lived in the Denver area for the past 20 years.
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Connect with Greg:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/gregsroche
Website: gregsroche.com
Why does it feel so good to give? Kiersten Hill has spent almost two decades in nonprofit management and fundraising. She shares about giving from all angles, including starting and managing a nonprofit, why the contributions we provide are the life support to nonprofit organizations, and how we feel when we give to a cause we’re passionate about.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What can you give to others?
- How are you giving to your personal and professional community network?
- In what ways can you give to your greater community?
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About Kiersten Hill:
Kiersten Hill is a Nebraska native and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With almost two decades in nonprofit management and fundraising, she has raised over $20 Million for Nebraska nonprofit organizations and worked to better train and equip nonprofit leaders and Boards of Directors.
Kiersten has served on the board of directors for several organizations.
She’s a leadership junky and graduate of Leadership Hastings, Leadership Nebraska, and Leadership Lincoln. She was a Midland’s Business Journal 40 Under 40 award winner and was recognized as the 2013 Lincoln Nonprofit Executive of the Year. She frequently speaks to nonprofit groups and other organizations about fundraising, board development, and organizational change and using StoryBrand to clarify their message.
Kiersten, her husband Chad, and their teenage son Cooper live in Seward, Nebraska, with two large dogs and one tiny cat. She has a passion for Lincoln, networking, fundraising, and nonprofit organizations.
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Connect with Kiersten:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hillkiersten/
Facebook: facebook.com/kiersten.hill/
While a beautiful image on the outside may make it appear as if any one of us has it all together, it’s navigating what’s inside us that contributes to living our best lives.
Shaylyn Ford, the reigning Mrs. World 2022, shares a challenge she faced most of her life and how unpacking it and continuing to ask questions to better understand the issue helped her to heal the pain and led her to have one of the most fulfilling years of her life.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What challenge has held you back?
- What belief can you begin to unpack and better understand?
- Who can you surround yourself with for support?
- How can you voice your needs and ask others to do the same?
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About Shaylyn Ford:
Shaylyn is a professional makeup artist who has worked in every setting from movie stars to Make-A-Wish projects. Her love for helping others feel beautiful and valued extends to every part of her life; she also serves as a liaison with the Tim Tebow Foundation and One Church to bring services to special needs individuals and their families in Ohio. As a mother of three and an “autism mama” of two, she understands the critical need of these families firsthand. She captured the title of Mrs. World 2022 and will soon crown her successor in Las Vegas on December 17th.
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Connect with Shaylyn:
Instagram: instagram.com/shaylynsford
What if I’m not good enough? If you’ve asked yourself this question before, you’re not alone. Eighty-two percent of people struggle with feelings of self-doubt and feelings that they haven’t earned what they’ve achieved. This feeling of being a fraud is now more commonly known as Imposter Syndrome.
Teresa Sande, author of the book, Find Your Fierce: Interrupt Imposter Syndrome and Own Your Success, has seen this phenomenon show up in her work with clients, as well as in her own life, and shares more about what it is, why you might be experiencing it, and ways you can manage it.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What do you do well?
- Who can you engage to provide you objective feedback about your performance?
- How can you approach your thoughts with curiosity rather than judgment?
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About Teresa Sande:
Teresa Sande is a consultant, coach, and speaker who works with leaders from all walks of life to build the future they want and to realize their vision. She’s the author of, Find Your Fierce: Interrupt Imposter Syndrome and Own Your Success. Having battled imposter syndrome herself, Teresa knows firsthand how these feelings—particularly for women and people of color—are rooted in and fed by flaws that exist in organizational systems. If they go unchecked, there is a hefty price to pay for all involved.
Teresa holds her M.A. in Organizational Effectiveness and Communication and has over 20 years of corporate experience as an executive at companies such as Intel, Capital One and United Health Group.
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Connect with Teresa:
Website: teresasande.com
LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/teresasande
Instagram:instagram.com/fiercenotfears
An avid cyclist, Sam Beveridge knows all too well that your life can change in an instant. Sam lost his leg in a hunting accident on January 28th, 2022.
Having competed in several marathon mountain bike races such as the Leadville 100, losing a leg could be viewed as devastating. While it is a challenging road to travel, you’ll learn from Sam that losses shouldn’t hold us back.
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Questions to Ask Yourself:
- If something was taken away from you, how would you respond?
- How do you find motivation each day?
- In what way(s), do you need to give yourself grace?
- What are you waiting for to initiate a change in your life?
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About Sam Beveridge:
Sam Beveridge grew up on a family farm and ranch outside of the rural community of Sutherland, Nebraska. He attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, where he majored in Ag Business and worked as an undergraduate assistant to Coach Charlie McBride, Defensive Coordinator at the time for the Nebraska Cornhusker football team.
While Sam has always been interested in investments and financial markets, he developed his skills in commodity trading through products ranging from energies and live animals to grain and foreign exchange. At Ardent Mills, he currently leads a team specializing in organics and specialty grains including organic wheat, chickpeas, quinoa, barley, and sorghum.
Sam spends as much time as possible with his two boys, Jack, age 16, and Gage, age 13, who are both active in competitive hockey, and enjoy biking, and spending time on his family ranch.
Sam has a deep love of cycling that has allowed him to compete in several marathon mountain bike races such as the Leadville 100 12x and many other races.
Sam lost his leg in a hunting accident on January 28, 2022.
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Connect with Sam:
instagram.com/sammybev2.0/
linkedin.com/in/sambeveridge/
At the end of every day, my dad would ask me “What did you do for the good of the community today, Marn?” That question prompted me to reflect on my day and reflect on my life. It’s the final lesson in my book, Start with the Give-Me Shots because when you take time to reflect, you uncover valuable lessons that help you grow, meet challenges, and make changes.
As you learn and apply lessons, you can share them for the good of the community, too.
I’m Marney Andes, host of Community Good, the podcast that shares powerful lessons to help you navigate the life you want.