Power Your Platform

Happy International Women’s Day! Today’s interview is such a fitting one to mark this important occasion.  Today, I’m speaking with Anahita (Anna) Thukral, a social entrepreneur and the founder of Hear Her Stories.  Having lived in four different countries, Anna has experienced first-hand the systemic and structural barriers faced by women of color. These experiences led Anna to create Hear Her Stories, a platform that amplifies women's voices and celebrates their achievements as a way to support and inspire the next generation of diverse women.  Through Hear Her Stories, Anna realized the significant barriers facing women around the world have widely led to underrepresentation and inequality. To help address these gaps, Anna recently launched DiWo (which stands for Diverse Women) with the goal of providing equal access and opportunities to all women in the workforce.  In my conversation with Anna today, we discuss the value of diverse stories, the impact of unconscious bias and how YOU can get involved today with the Hear Her Stories movement.  Here are my Top 10 Takeaways form my interview with Anna:  1. Every woman’s story is worth sharing, no matter where they may come from.  2. We need to take the time to look for hidden stories that might not be front and centre in our mainstream media.  3. Diversity, equality and inclusion are vital elements to include in the stories we’re telling and the stories we’re consuming.  4. Sharing stories of diverse women who have achieved amazing things allows girls and women everywhere to find inspiration and take the lead in their own lives.  5. We need to normalize celebrating everyday women with everyday stories, because when we take a closer look, we realize they’re really doing extraordinary things.  6. Our own struggle is often the motivating factor to step forward and make bold moves in the name of change.  7. When we intentionally share the stories of the struggles women face, we can help shape government policy, the economy and make a world-wide impact.  8. Seeing is believing. When we hear about the bold moves other women are making around the world, it inspires us to make bold moves ourselves.  9. The systems and structural barriers face by women on a global level have led to underrepresentation and inequality in the workplace. But it’s not too late to make a change.  10.  Acknowledging our own unconscious bias can help make us all a part of the fight against inequality and intolerance around the world.  EPISODE LINKS: Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe Hear Her Stories - https://hearherstories.com/  DiWO - https://hearherstories.com/diwo/

Today I’m excited to share with you the story of a woman whose path has led her from addiction and a prison sentence to becoming the founder and CEO of a noteworthy Canadian entrepreneurial venture.  Emily O’Brien is the brainchild behind Comeback Snacks—a specialty popcorn company that challenges the status quo. After being sentenced to a four-year jail term stemming from her battle with addiction, Emily set out on the mission to get clean, transform herself, and make her time in jail as meaningful as possible.  Having fostered an entrepreneurial career before her sentence, Emily birthed the idea for Comeback Snacks (formerly ‘Cons and Kernels’) which is a popcorn brand that uses high-quality, health-conscious ingredients to create unique flavours inspired by the ones Emily found and curated while in prison.  Through her trailblazing efforts, Emily is an example that positive change can happen within correctional institutions with passion, drive, and a positive mindset.  Aware of the hardships of being incarcerated, Emily is driven to help remove the stigma surrounding people with prior convictions, as well as giving them opportunities for reintegration through training, empowerment and education.  In today’s episode, Emily and I talk about second chances and the mindset it takes to come back from a devastating detour. She also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how she created her business while still in prison, and offers some advice for women who may be too ashamed or too afraid to share their own story.  Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s conversation with Emily:  1. Everyone deserves a second chance.  2. Always be on the lookout for new inspiration, because you can find it in the most unexpected places.  3. Make the most of the sources you have, rather than focusing on the ones you don’t have.  4. Find collaborators who can help move you and your business idea forward.  5. Having a mission can help fuel your business, even on the days when you feel like giving up.  6. Your personal struggle is the key to making an impact; never discount the power of your own story.  7. Coming back after a personal trauma or tragedy always begins with healing.  8. The more we take the time to listen to other people’s stories, the more rich our lives will be.  9. Sharing our own story can be scary, but it can also bring freedom.  10. If you don’t own your story, someone else will.  Thanks so much for listening in to today’s episode. I hope you’ll take a moment to share this podcast with others who may be interested – because when you do, we’ll be able to impact even more women and help encourage THEM to share their story.  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe Comeback Snacks Web site - https://www.comebacksnacks.com/ 

In today’s show, I’m pulling up a chair to chat with Michelle McDonald, a dedicated child protection worker who is also an enthusiastic YouTube content creator and a passionate lover of children’s literature.  Michelle is a busy mom of two young children who recognized a need in her own city. That need stemmed from her own experiences as a Black woman in a mostly white community.  What she discovered was that the books on her children’s bookshelves and in school and public libraries across her region lacked cultural representation. And so, she took it upon herself to step up and find a solution.  As a result, Michelle launched a YouTube channel in 2019 called Ruthy’s Reading Room. The children’s story channel features primarily Black authored books being read out loud by Michelle herself under the name of her YouTube alter ego, Ruthy.  Each episode of Ruthy’s Reading Room is designed to provide children everywhere with an accessible story time experience. In her experience as a child protection worker, Michelle knew there were many kids who didn’t have anyone to reach them a story at the end of the day. And so, Ruthy’s Reading Room helped address that need as well.  In this interview Michelle and I talk about how she built her YouTube channel from scratch and the challenges she’s had to overcome along the way. Michelle’s passion for what she does is so clear and I love that she’s building her message using YouTube as her purpose-driven platform of choice.  Here are my Top 10 takeaways from today’s conversation with Michelle.  1. Don’t wait for someone else to step up and solve the problems you see around you in the world – make a bold move and do it yourself!  2. Start messy. Don’t worry about getting it perfect.  3. Representation matters because it allows us to see ourselves in the world around us.  4. When you take on a new challenge, be sure to draw on the strength of your own network to help you get the job done.  5. Don’t worry about knowing how it’s all going to turn out; just make that first move.  6. Remember that everything is "figureoutable" to quote Marie Foreleo. There’s nothing we can’t learn on the Internet or ask someone in our network.  7. Choose the platform that’s right for you and then go all in.  8. Show up consistently and create quality content to ensure steady growth and customer loyalty.  9. There’s always a steep learning curve when we try something new. Do it anyway.  10. Infusing our lives with diverse voices will help us create a more inclusive and respectful worldview.  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe Ruthy's Reading Room - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgdZZmsPeo7bf1ct2h3SZtg   Michelle's Book Recommendation - Timeless Love - https://www.amazon.ca/Timeless-Love-Julie-Thompson/dp/0228810574   Ruthy's Reading Room Music by Edward Lewis Jr. - https://edwardlewisjr.bandcamp.com/ 

Today’s episode is going to get a lot more personal than my other shows, and that’s because I’m unpacking my own journey with perfectionism.  So I hope you’ll join me as I pinpoint some of the key indicators that confirm I was definitely a perfectionist while I was growing up. PLUS how perfectionism manifested itself later in my life. I’ll share also with you how I now manage this potential success blocker in my career, my business and my personal life. And keep in mind – I’m still not perfect at avoiding perfectionism – and that’s OK. In a nutshell, perfectionism is the refusal to accept anything short of perfection. And that goes not only for business, but personal appearance, marriage, parenting and so much more. The reason I want to talk about perfectionism today is because it can be a real success blocker for women who hold back from sharing their story or launching a new brand or product because they’re worried it’s not going to be… well, perfect. Here are some signs I was a perfectionist as a kid: - I was an only child which birth order studies tell you set me up right at the start for perfectionism. For this reason, before I was a people pleaser, I was a parent pleaser. - I compared myself to my friends, especially when it came to school grades. - I avoided playing on teams because it would frustrate me when others didn’t give the game 100%. Because I. Wanted. To. Win. - I suffered from insomnia often as a result of my perfectionism-fueled anxiety. - In university, I signed up for the classes I knew I could ace. In other words, I was avoiding failure at all costs. - My perfectionism also showed up in my marriage and my parenting and so many other places! Because there’s no place you can go to hide from perfectionism. Wherever you go, there you are. These days, I’m happy to report that the perfectionist tendencies have been replaced with more realistic expectations, ones that definitely allow some room for error. Here are some of the signs of perfectionism you might have picked up from my own story: 1. Perfectionists tend to think in all or nothing terms. 2. Perfectionists tend to be highly critical of themselves and others. 3. Perfectionists often set unrealistic standards for themselves and those around them. 4. Insomnia is another sign that perfectionism might be present. 5. Another perfectionist tendency is feeling depressed when things don’t go as planned. Here are 4 solutions for moving past perfectionism: 1. Be mindful when perfectionist tendencies crop up in your life, and avoid falling back into familiar patterns of behaviour. 2. Look for the learning opportunities – and not just the wins – inside the challenging situations you face. 3. Embrace failure as a natural part of success. 4. Let love – and not fear – be your guide. Audio Book Recommendations on Perfectionism: “Good Enough” by Monica Ramirez Basco “The Perfection Detox” by Petra Kolbert “I Thought It Was Just Me” by Brene Brown “Better Than Perfect” by Elizabeth Lombardo EPISODE LINKS: Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

In today's episode, I’m sitting down to chat with Alyssa Zwonok, the founder and CEO of Nomad Cre8tive.  With more than a decade of experience in the digital marketing space, Alyssa has worked with everyone from large, enterprise clients to bustling startups. Over time, she has helped them build their brands from the ground up and exceed industry standards through top level creative direction and strategy.  After traveling the globe for a full four years and living abroad for another, Alyssa wasn’t ready for her traveling journey to end – so she decided to create a life for herself where she would work on the road. She founded Nomad Cre8tive with the intention of empowering other creatives like herself to be able to travel the world, all while making a living, doing what they love most!  Today, Alyssa and I talk about how to build an authentic online presence, along with how to think about your social media content, build followers and establish a unique digital footprint.  Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s conversation with Alyssa:  1. Create a life that works for you. If you can dream it, you can do it!  2. Surround yourself with people who support your dream and who can help you make it a reality. None of us can do it alone.  3. Visibility is essential in today’s digital marketplace. It will help you create a strong online presence and sharpen your competitive edge.  4. Don’t try to be like everyone else. Instead, value your own unique perspective on the world and share it with others.  5. Stop relying on selfies and instead invest in a professional photographer at least once a year to ensure you have quality images on-hand that can be used throughout your marketing materials.  6. Establish 3 to 5 pillars inside your business to help keep you focused and provide you with plenty of ideas for your social media content.  7. Avoid putting all your eggs into the social media basket. You need to diversify the way you’re connecting with your audience in order to ensure the growth of your business.  8. Before you can unlock the power of storytelling inside your business, you need to own your story and be confident enough to share it with the world.  9. Happiness and growth in all aspects of your life rely on having a positive mental attitude – so be sure not to neglect your mental health in the midst of all the hustle to grow a business.  10. Pay attention to what you need, because when you consistently feed your mind, body and spirit, you’ll emerge as an unstoppable force for good.  Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice – because the world is waiting to hear your story!  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe Nomad Cre8tive - https://www.nomadcre8tive.com/ 

Welcome to the third and final part of our Pick Your Platform Series.  So far, we’ve taken a look at podcasts and blogs as platform options and today we’re diving into YouTube and learning what makes it such a powerful place to build your brand or business.   So what’s so great about YouTube? Well, first of all, like the other two platforms we’ve discussed so far, YouTube is free, it’s public, it supports long-form content, has a long shelf life AND it’s shareable. So those are 5 great reasons to consider YouTube. I also love the freedom that YouTube gives us to upload videos of any length and style.  Now, keep in mind that the optimum length of a YouTube video is actually about 10 minutes – but even if that sounds short, remember there can be quite a bit of work involved if you’re doing a lot of video editing. But really, that part’s totally up to you.  Of course, the big advantage of YouTube is that you’re able to include video storytelling as a part of your platform. And depending on your audience, video can be a very powerful way to communicate your key message and establish a strong rapport with your viewers. Remember, as we build our brand, it’s really important for our audience to get to know us, like us and trust us.  And that can be done in a number of ways, but probably the BEST way is to show up consistently and offer quality content that adds value to the lives of your audience.  Now keep in mind that when you broadcast to YouTube, there are a few distinct advantages that video has over audio or the written word:  1. Video storytelling creates memorable messages. When we SEE a message as well as HEARING it, we tend to retain the message longer. Fact: with text and audio, your audience will remember only 10% of what you said 72 hours later. And that applies to this podcast as well. On the other hand, with video – which stimulates both our auditory and visual senses, an audience will retain up to 68% of the information you share.  2. Video storytelling is that it can help make complex subjects easier to understand. So if you’re explaining something that requires diagrams or images or a demonstration of some kind, then a YouTube channel might be a good fit for you.  3. Video storytelling can capture and hold your audience’s attention often a lot more easily than a blog or a podcast. Because let’s face it: there is a LOT competing for our attention these days. And when you take into account that video storytelling allows you to incorporate music and sound effects, graphics, setting and even wardrobe and props – well, it’s a pretty compelling argument that YouTube is a compelling platform that grabs audience attention.  There are some downsides of YouTube, of course. First, you have to be comfortable with being on camera. You also have to learn some video editing skills and be able to cut through the clutter since there are a LOT of YouTubers out there. But remember, you don’t need a million followers to have a viable business! Stick to it and show up consistently with quality content that helps solve your audience’s key pain points, and eventually you’ll grow to a point where you are thriving in the online space and creating a business with impact.  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

Welcome back to Part 2 of the Pick Your Platform Series! Today we’re talking about the second platform option which is blogs.  So what makes blogs such a great platform to reach your ideal customer?  First, blogs are a powerful platform because they can help establish you as an authority in your niche. Now, notice I did say niche. Because if you’re going to have blog, you really do need to niche down and know what specifically you’re blogging about. And once you DO niche down, then you’ll want to show up consistently on your blog to provide value, whether that’s in the form of tips and tools or guest interviews or links to other useful resources within the same niche.  The second reason blogs are a powerful platform is because they help generate important SEO which drives traffic to your web site. SEO stands for search engine optimization and it’s a key component of getting web site traffic. In a nutshell, when people search for a topic on Google, there are a LOT of web sites competing for the same reader’s attention. When you have a blog that’s attached to your web site, the fact that you’re publishing regular content and seeing frequent visits to your blog articles, helps your web site rise in the Google rankings.  The third reason blogs are effective is that they are extremely versatile. I love this about blogs. It used to be that blogs were all about text and articles. But these days, you can add audio and video, as well as links, gifs, memes and photos along with other attention-grabbing content. So while blogs are ideally suited for writers, I’ve also seen photographers and videographers and graphic artists take advantage of blogging platforms and use them to solve their audience’s unique challenges.  Pro Tip: Too many widgets and multimedia features can slow the download of your blog on someone else’s device (especially rural users). So my advice is to use visual elements, but keep it simple. Another thing to remember is that blog readers tend to be a part of an older demographic, most notably aged over the age of 30. In fact most are between the ages of 40 and 60. So if you’re trying to reach a younger demographic, then I’d opt for a different platform like YouTube or even podcasts.  But for those who do visit blogs, they tend to visit them often, and many of them become loyal fans for the blogs that speak directly to their unique interests or challenge.  The main advantage of a written document like a blog is that the audience member can read it over and over again until they understand the entire message. You can also include direct links so that enhances your ability to get paid by affiliates or you can lead readers to other resources or paid products you might offer. In turn, readers can share your blog link with others, which helps expand your reach and influence.  The downside of written storytelling platforms like blogs is that the audience has to have the time to focus and read the long-form content. And we all know that time is at a premium for most people these days. They also need to be able to find you, so that’s where the visibility tools come in.   BONUS TIP: Pair your blog strategy with a Pinterest strategy to get the best results!  Looking for support in launching YOUR blog? Click on the web site link below and let’s get you started!  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

Which platform are YOU currently using to get your message out to the world? If you’re not sure yet, then I’m excited to be launching a 3-part series today called Pick Your Platform!  In this podcast series, I’ll be talking about the pros and the cons of podcasts, blogs and YouTube channels. And by the end of this series, I hope you’ll have a clearer idea about which platform is the right fit for you.  In Part I of the Pick Your platform Podcast Series today, I’m going to be focusing on podcasts.  So here are the 5 main reasons why I think podcasting is a great way to build and maintain connections with my audience:  Podcasts are affordable to launch. I launched my own podcast for less than $150 which included a Yeti Nano microphone that my kids gave to me for Mother’s Day. But you could actually just use the free mic in your own phone if you wanted to. I also use Anchor to host my podcast which is free and I record all of my podcasts using Audacity which is also free. Finally, I use no paid ads and I hire an audio editor from time to time to help me fix tech glitches on my podcast as needed. But if you want to, you can edit your episodes for free by doing it yourself.  Podcasts are convenient and easy to consume for my listeners. This is one of the advantages I see between podcasts and the two other platforms I’ll be discussing in this series which are blogs and YouTube channels. My audience is nearly always on the move and they like to listen to my podcast as they go about their day. Podcasting reports actually tell us that more than 65% of people listen to podcasts while they’re on the move. Since they don’t need to watch or read my podcast, my audience members can even be driving in their car when they’re consuming my content. This is really convenient and since podcasts are also portable, they can go with my audience in whichever direction they’re heading next.  Podcasts allow you to go deep on a topic. People are more likely to listen longer to a podcast episode and as a result, you’re able to establish a fairly strong bond with that individual over time. So that’s the third reason I like podcasting and that’s because it allows me to dive deeper into the topics I’m discussing.  Podcasts provide a unique voice connection with your audience. Your voice creates a powerful connection between you and your audience. Did you know your voice identifies you as uniquely as your fingerprints do? It’s true! Even though two people might sound similar to each other, no two voices are exactly alike. So there’s a power that comes with establishing a bond with your audience that’s based on your own voice style.  And finally, there are fewer podcasts than blogs or YouTube channels to compete with. There are about 500,000 active podcasts in the world, but compared to the world’s 570 million blogs or 37 million YouTube channels, you have a lot better chance of cutting through the clutter with a podcast. So what are the downsides of podcasts? First, your audience needs to be comfortable with consuming content in an audio format. And second, you have to work hard to find a podcasting niche that fits your audience well, and then you need to build that audience one listener at a time. So be patient!  So how do you know if podcasting is for you? Revisit Episode 11 and Episode 12, as I get into this in more detail!  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

Over the years, I’ve stepped into many other roles where I felt out of my element, at least at first. And each time, when I voiced my uncertainty aloud, someone would inevitably say, “Don’t worry about it, Kerry – just fake it till you make it.” All this was well before the authenticity movement and Brene Brown, of course. And over the past few years, I’ve noticed that every time someone tells me to “fake it till I make it”, it doesn’t sit well with me. Because first of all, I hate being fake. I like to be myself. I actually think I’m pretty awesome – and I hope you think YOU’RE pretty awesome too! Because you are. So rather than buying into the “fake it till you make it” message these days, I’ve adopted a new internal message. And that message is “Be it till you see it.” So here’s a simple, 3-step process to put the “Be It Till You See It” approach into motion starting today: First, define the main goal. In other words, what do you want to “see” in the end? Is it business growth? A positive testimonial? A certain income level achieved? Or maybe it’s a question of personal growth and development. As you set your goal, determine a milestone that you can actually measure and track and make a note of what that would actually look like. And be specific. If your goal is to earn a higher income, then define what that level is. That way you can actually measure or “see” it. If you’re looking to attract new clients, how many clients? If you want to move to a new location, what would that location ideally look like? Some of you may have heard of SMART goals before. SMART goals are goals that are Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant and Time-Sensitive. When you approach your goal setting in this way, you can actually see what the end result should look like. And that makes the process of moving towards that goal so much clearer. The second step is to determine who you need to be to reach your goal. Will this next level require you to be someone who’s on task? Deadline-focused? Creative? Detail oriented? For instance, if you are aiming to attract 5 new clients this month, who do you need to be to do it? Chances are, you’ll need to be hardworking, diligent, persistent, innovative and confident. And once you identify those key traits or qualities, ask yourself: which of those elements do I already have and which ones am I missing? When we do this step, we often realize we actually possess several if not all of the characteristics that are needed to take us to the next level in life or business – we just need to kick it up a notch. And here’s the good news: we don’t need to fake it. We don’t need to be anyone we aren’t. We just need to pay more attention to certain aspects of our identify in order to work on the pieces that need polishing. The third step is to practice. If you need to be someone who’s more attentive, for instance, then practice your listening skills throughout your daily conversations. If you need to be someone who is better at managing money, then we can put into practice the financial responsibility lessons of experts like Dave Ramsey or Denise Duffield-Thomas. If you want to be a better leader, then listen in to Ted Talks by Sheryl Sandberg or Arianna Huffington. These are only a few tips to start, of course, but they do show that’s possible. Because it’s not just about knowing who we need to be to meet our goal – it’s about practicing it regularly. And when we put all three of these steps together, we’re able to grow into our dreams without compromising our authenticity. And that goes a long way to feeling good about ourselves and more confident in who we are and what we’re able to do. Because we’re not pretending to know more than we know or to be something other than who we actually are. EPISODE LINK: https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

Today I'm sitting down with a woman who’s created a counter-culture movement – and she’s making no apologies for it.    As a self-described serial entrepreneur, Dionne Baker has been the driving force behind several successful brands over the past decade.  From the launch of her first eCommerce store that went on to become an internationally recognized brand, to the projects she’s undertaken to help train and uplift other business owners on their own eCommerce journeys – Dionne’s passion for business, marketing, and everything in between has led to a storied career spanning multiple industries across North America.    Currently splitting her time between her apparel brand - Misfit Culture & her digital training and marketing brand ShopBoss Secrets - Dionne will be the first to tell you that her personal story is at the center of every brand she creates.  So stay tuned, because there is so much ahead today that’s going to make you stop in your tracks and think again.   Here are my Top 10 takeaways from today’s conversation with Dionne:    1. Make no apologies for who you are. Just be yourself and the magic will unfold.    2. Only when we accept our own story are we able to accept the stories of others.    3. We need to look for points of intersection in the stories of those around us, rather than finding points of division    4. Our own pain gives us the power to be truly empathetic towards others and their hard stories.    5. Sharing our story allows others to feel seen and heard.    6. Fear is the only thing stopping you right now from sharing the gift only you can share with the world in the way only you can share it.    7. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Give yourself permission to ramp up.    8. Critics often project their own feelings of insecurity and inadequacy on others – remember, it’s not about you!    9. Accept the fact that you can’t do it all. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.    10. Surrounding yourself with a community that shares a common set of values is a great source of energy and motivation.    EPISODE LINKS:    Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807    PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/   Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe    Misfit Culture - https://misfitculture.com/    Misfit Culture on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shopmisfitculture/

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 reasons why I script my podcast episodes: #1 – Ensuring Accessibility The bonus of scripting my podcasts is that it allows me to capture the most important points very quickly and save them as a my podcast transcript. This allows my non-hearing clients to also benefit from my podcast. As podcasters, it’s really easy to forget about the importance of accessibility. But when we take the time to make our resources available to everyone, it benefits us all. #2 – Repurposing Podcast Scripts as Blog Posts It’s easy to repurpose podcast transcripts and create blog post -- all you need to do is cut and paste your podcast summary! Again, this is not only accessible for those who are a part of the Deaf community but it also is the way some people prefer to access the content. So once again it expands my reach and my ability to get my message across to even more people than those who are listening to my podcast each week. #3 – Scripting Keeps My Thoughts on Track I’m a fan of frameworks and action items and processes that help explain to my listeners how they can move from point A to point B or overcome some kind of obstacle using a formula or approach that’s worked for me. So when I use a script, it helps me keep my ideas on track. When I’m going off on a tangent or I feel a rant coming on, I ask myself: is this on topic or is a topic for another podcast? And very often, it’s actually a separate podcast topic that I need to be creating at another time. The cool is that this means there is NEVER any shortage of podcast topics. #4 – Scripting Works Best with My Personal Style I’m a writer, so I think in sentences and paragraphs and not necessarily in free flow ideas which I know some other creators do. I’m someone who mulls over a topic for days sometimes before it becomes a podcast episode. So scripting is something that definitely come smore naturally to me than just winging it, and again that’s largely due to my own personality and preferences. #5 – Scripting Makes It Easier to Work with an Audio Editor or Co-Host Even if you’re a solo podcaster, you might share your audio files with an editor from time to time, and when you do, having the script to send a long makes it a lot easier for the other person to understand what needs to be added in or taken out, because the road map is there. If you’re producing a podcast that’s co-hosted with someone else, then knowing who’s going to be saying what helps avoid repetition and interruptions. So what are the downsides of scripting? First, it can be tempting to read in a monotone voice straight from the script. Second, it can seem to take a lot of time (though that’s time you’ll save in the long run). In the end, do what works for YOU! And if you’d like to learn more, reach out to me today at one of the links below. EPSODE LINKS: Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe 

Have you ever thought about the fact that ideas don’t come from inside our brains? They actually come from outside of us, usually from our experiences and our social interactions with those around us. So let me ask you this: where do YOUR aha moments come from? Give me a nod or a high five if you find your best ideas come: 1. While you’re in the bath or shower. 2. While you’re taking a walk. 3. While you’re speaking with a friend or colleague. If so, you’re not alone. There’s a reason why great ideas come to us in these three scenarios, so let’s take a look at all three and discover why that is. First, let’s talk about showers and bathtubs. Here’s a fun fact: cognitive scientists like Scott Barry Kaufman tell us that 72% of people get creative ideas while in the bath or shower. Seriously! That’s nearly 3 out of every 4 people. And you thought it was just you! In a multinational study conducted by Kaufman and his team, he found that we consider showers and baths to be a safe space where we’re transported into a dopamine high. And not only that, our brains also tend to be more relaxed when we’re bathing and that leads to a distracted state of mind. And those three ingredients are key for idea generation. Safety, relaxation and distraction. So that’s the first reason why 72% of the world’s population experiences idea generation inside the shower or bath -- and that’s because we feel safe, distracted and relaxed. The second popular place where people find new ideas is while they’re out for a walk. Science tells us that walking gives our brains a boost since it naturally releases important, idea-generating chemicals: one is a protein that nourishes and energizes our neurons and the other is a hormone that helps produce a sense of calm and well-being. And as we’ve already discussed, our best ideas tend to come to us when we’re relaxed and the creativity is able to flow more freely. On a related note, in 2014, Stanford University released a study that showed that our creative output as humans increases an average of 60% when we take a 30-minute walk. That’s right – we’re 60% more creative when we’re moving! That probably explains why so many big companies like Apple and Porsche encourage walking meetings, rather than conducting sit-down meetings with their employees. And the reason is that we come up with more innovative solutions when we’re on the move. And by the way, the same experts tell us that a morning walk is more productive than walking at any other time of the day. So why not give it a try? Finally, another great place to find the best ideas is through conversations with friends and colleagues. So here’s something you may not have thought about before. And that is that when we’re sharing our ideas with others, we’re hearing ourselves say them out loud! Sometimes for the first time. And that in itself can spark clarity and creativity within our brains. So be sure to start building a tribe today if you don’t already have one -- and stay connected to others who can help collaborate with you when it come your new ideas or ventures. And keep in mind that conversations with others are a great source of idea generation. EPISODE LINKS: Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with an Indigenous woman entrepreneur, leader and mentor who’s making a powerful impact in the business world and beyond.  Shyra Barberstock is an Anishinaabe woman and a member of Kebaowek First Nation in Kipawa, Quebec. She’s also the President and CEO of Okwaho Equal Source, an Indigenous-owned social network based in Tyendinaga, Ontario.  With extensive knowledge of Indigenous entrepreneurship, economic development, and business relations, she’s passionate about serving Indigenous communities and working with organizations who value and appreciate the Indigenous experience.  In today’s interview, Shyra and I talk about her work with Indigenous women writer and entrepreneurs and why this is a great time to start a business, even with all of the crazy ups and downs. We also explore the idea of storytelling and its role within Indigenous culture.  Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from my conversation with Shyra:  1. Where there’s challenge, there’s always opportunity. So be sure to look for it.  2. There’s a time for talking and a time for doing. Make sure you know the difference.  3. Business is all about solving problems – and that includes social and environmental issues.  4. Never apologize for having a different definition for success than someone else; your own definition is what will propel you forward.  5. The biggest obstacle we face when taking on a new challenge is our own limiting beliefs; but if we manage our mindset, we can do anything.  6. Find someone in your network to help coach you through your challenges; a coach can not only help you build confidence, but also a clearer pathway for the future.  7. Storytelling is a powerful tool of creativity, empowerment and world-building.  8. A sacred circle of friends and community members are vital for keeping you motivated and accountable.  9. If you’re considering whether or not to tell your own story, go for it – be fearless! And if you’re scared, do it anyway.  10. When we spend time in each other’s company, we inspire each other with our own example of what’s possible.  Thanks so much for listening in to today’s episode. If you enjoyed today’s conversation with Shyra, feel free to take a screen shot and share it with your social media followers. And when you do, be sure to tag Power Your Platform. We’d love to share your key takeaways with our own followers. Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice – because the world is waiting to hear your story!  EPISODE LINKS:  Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe Okwaho Equal Source - https://okwaho.com/ Kwe-Biz Program for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs - https://kwebiz.ca/ Indigenous Climate Hub - https://indigenousclimatehub.ca/

In today’s bonus episode, I’m sharing a recent workshop I delivered for the Small Business Centre in the Bay of Quinte region on "How to Build a Business Podcast from Scratch". So thanks to Brianna and her team for the invitation to speak at this recent event. If you’ve been thinking about creating a podcast to support your business, then this episode for you. In this recorded workshop, I talk about why podcasts make excellent business building platforms, how podcasts help grow business leads as well as tips for creating a successful business podcast. So I hope you find it helpful! And if you’re a woman speaker, leader or entrepreneur who’s looking to launch her own podcast in 2022, then be sure to reach out to me if you’re looking for someone to coach you along the journey. If you'd like to see the full video version of today's workshop (including slides) then head over to our free Power Your Platform Facebook group. That’s where I’ll be posting the entire video version of today’s podcast.  Thanks for listening to this bonus episode. I hope you learned a little bit more about how a podcast can help boost your business. And don’t forget, if you’re interested in launching your own business podcast, reach out to me and I’d be happy to help coach you through it. Because only 26% of the world’s podcasts are produced by women and we NEED to hear more women’s voices in the podcasting space, don’t you agree? EPISODE LINKS: Power Your Platform Facebook Group  PowerHER Platform web site  Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter 

As many of you know, I’ve been sending out a weekly writing prompt for several months now to the subscribers of our Story Fuel Newsletter. And it’s been so great to see so many of you stretching your creative muscle and getting out of your writing rut. So today I thought I’d highlight 5 of our past writing prompts and hopefully help inspire YOU to get into the routine of writing, editing and thinking creatively about words and their impact. 1. Write a letter to a fictional future customer. In the letter, tell them you remember when they first came to you with their problem (specific the problem). Explain how you worked on the problem, the solutions you provided and what the final outcome was for the client. Not only does this writing exercise help you get clear on what you do and why you do it, it also helps you articulate your message for your audience. 2. The One-Syllable Word Challenge. One-syllable words are powerful. And one reason they’re so powerful is that they’re simple to say and to remember. And there are waaay more one-syllable words out there than we realize. So your challenge is to write a page in your journal at the end of the day capturing the highlights of what you did using only one-syllable words. And trust me, it’s not as easy as you think! 3. Use alliteration. Alliteration is the grouping of similar words or phrases that share a common beginning sound or letter like Krispy Kreme, Coca Cola or Best Buy. It’s effective since it’s easy on the ears and it gets our audience’s attention. So your writing prompt today is to rewrite your grocery list this week and add in adjectives that starts with the same letter of each item on your list. For instance, this week my grocery list includes: - Bucolic Bananas - Flinching Facewipes - Ostracizing Olive Oil - Pluralistic Popcorn - Transformative Toilet Paper And here’s a hint – always start with the grocery list item, NOT the adjective. And for goodness sake, have FUN with it! 4. Create your own word and use it in everyday conversation. There are a lot of words people make up – whether it’s as company names or product names – and the ability to think outside of your regular vocabulary can go a long way to helping you achieve something that’s one-of-a—kind. Consider the following brand name which are all completely made up words: Kodak, Jeep, Velcro, Pringles, Pepsi, Spanx and of course, Google! So what kind of word could you create this week? And don’t forget to use it in conversation! 5. Create your own mnemonic. A mnemonic is a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something. For instance, when learning music, you may have learned the names of the Treble clef lines and spaces using the mnemonic “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” and FACE. So my challenge for you this week is to find a mnemonic that works for your business, to help your clients or customers remember what it is you do or a specific way you do it. Think of a process you used that could be more simply explained with a mnemonic or a set of values. The key is to make something easier to understand.  Happy writing! EPISODE LINKS: Power Your Platform Facebook Group  PowerHER Platform web site  Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter