The #SpeakEasy Podcast

Right now, engagement is the big thing that is driving decisions. Whether it is engagement on a post, engagement through a video, or engagement through an event, it drives the revenue in your business. Consistent engagement is a positive force in getting in front of the clients and customers that you are looking for. What makes them show up?What makes them keep coming back? There are many myths and bald-faced lies circulating the internet streets but this episode will shed some light on best practices to build and keep engagement. As an introvert, I had to tap into ways to engage that did not drain me or find ways to reset after being drained. Hey...it was a process but one that I am glad that I learned for the sake of my business. Lisa's nuggets: ~ When you are consistent you can repurpose your content~ Livestream is a great way to connect with your target audience ~ Be consistent on Social Media ~ There will always be something magical about getting on the phone with people~ It is your responsibility to follow up and respond to people that engage with your content ~ Thank you goes a long way~ The connection makes a big difference, especially on video You may be the entrepreneur that has questioned if your business can be successful online. The answer is yes but...Yes but you will have to be consistent to create momentum Yes but you will need to increase visibility by using pictures and videoYes but where you show up matters Yes but you will need a strategy Anything that you want to be successful at takes time, energy, and money to make it successful. Engagement is a key component of all three. Lisa hit on some great things in this episode like repurposing content which a lot of entrepreneurs forget about. When building engagement you don't always need to reinvent the wheel. What do you have that worked really well? Were there any pieces of your content that went viral? Use that! When you go back to the foundation of a good salesperson you will always see conversation and networking. Going as far back as the Kirby vacuum people, that would go door to door doing sales. Every time you engage you are going through that same process just on a bigger scale. Lisa shared a recent experience while using Zoom to speak for an event that many of us can relate to. (Especially the introverts) We can tend to get comfortable with turning the camera off but everyone benefits the most when our cameras are on. How are you building engagement during these times? We would love for you to join the conversation by going to bit.ly/worldvoicecommunity Meet Lisa:Lisa Ryan, CSP, helps organizations develop employee engagement strategies that keep their top talent from becoming someone else’s. Lisa is a Certified Speaking Professional and best-selling author of ten books, including “The Upside of Down Times.” She also has served on many non-profit boards, including President of the American Welding Society, Cleveland Chapter, and serving two terms as President of the National Speakers Association, Ohio Chapter. She is a proud Cleveland native and received her MBA from Cleveland State University. She has been blissfully married to Scott since 1996 and they are the proud parents of two very spoiled cats.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)Twitter https://www.twitter.com/grategyFacebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/LisaRyan14LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/in/asklisaryan/Youtube http://youtube.com//user/mygrategyBlog

Customer service has shifted considerably over the years but the heart of customer service has remained the same. ~ Create a customer experience that creates repeat customersThe World Wide Web...www for everyone under 35...has made the customer service experience automated in many industries. Bots respond to messages and you can speak with some live your laptop instead of your phone. So how do we adjust and reset in order to continue to create repeat customers without losing the connection with our customers? It's all about the conversation! Jim's nuggets: ~ Be sure you are talking about your business effectively ~ Create business conversations every day ~ Being an introvert does mean that you can't have customer conversations ~ Good conversation is a give and take ~ Don't give people excuses when it comes to business conversations ~ How you approach a new relationship mattersBuilding business relationships is not a class that you'll see but you will always see classes on the best sales techniques. That is because many use the information from sales books and classes to determine how to build the business relationships that they think will be best for them. Be mindful that many of the tools shared are looking at selling to a client or customer once. Looking for ways to strengthen and build business relationships allows you to have a warm market for new product launches. Having the right conversations is the foundation of networking. Word of mouth continues to be an executive-level marketing tool for any business. I once saw a conversation started because one man liked another man's watch. They talked throughout the whole flight and then exchanged business cards after we landed. Who knows what opportunities that may have opened up for either one of them. You can have conversations every day that increase your bottom line. Jim shared some great insight into what conversations matter for the customers that you want to connect with. Be sure to take notes because customer service is always evolving and the nuggets shared in this episode are timeless. Are you working on having better conversations with your customers?Meet Jim:(Note that my last name is pronounced "car")In our increasingly noisy world, Dr. Jim Karrh helps businesses break through the noise and grow—through more effective and consistent customer conversations.Jim offers his experience as a consumer researcher, award-winning corporate marketing leader, and now consultant, speaker, and coach to businesses ranging from startups to members of the Fortune 500. He is the author of "The Science of Customer Connections: Manage Your Message to Grow Your Business" Jim is also the host of “The Manage Your Message Podcast.”Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimkarrh/Twitter: @JimKarrhweb: https://jimkarrh.com/

There is magic that happens when it comes to marketing. Things happen that most entrepreneurs can not accurately explain but we know that we want that magic to happen for our business. Not only do we want it to happen, we want to be able to replicate the results time and time again. Like anyone that has ever tried to do a magic trick...that first time is pretty tricky.The equation looks simple:Market your product or service + People buying your product or service = RevenueJust like when you tried to do magic for the first time, marketing takes some time and practice. Jon Petz, my guest in this episode has an odd background. He started out as a professional magician and then became a corporate sales. A shift happened for him and he became a corporate magician along with keynote speaker. There are many of you that can relate to an entrepreneurial journey that is similar. We start to see that the talents and gifts that we have can be intertwined with the work we want to do. (That is when we really begin to achieve success in business) You carry your brand with you wherever you go - Jon Petz Jon's nuggets: ~ Be prepared to be in the spotlight at anytime (Marketing occurs whenever you open your mouth and talk about your business) ~ Ask yourself, "What is the orupose behind what you are doing?" ~ Be your best at all times because you never know when an opportunity will arise ~ Preparation allows you to exceed expectations ~ Do what it takes to take what you do or what you know to the next level You are able to better display what you do or what you are selling when you feel it makes an impact in the lives of other people. It's a decision that only you can make but many other people benefit from it. Marketing can defined as you putting yourself on display. There are many who have anxiety about marketing because of this. Imposter Syndrome kills dreams daily! The tips that Jon shared and insight shed some light on the things that matter most to your clients and customers. When you are marketing, it is okay to try different marketing options but you must give them a timeline. Measuring tha success of a marketing strategy takes times. Become deliberate and consistent in your message in order to be able to measure what works best. Don't forget, flexibility is key because things will change. Meet Jon:Jon Petz is a two-time, best-sellers list author, motivational keynote speaker on performance, and the power of human connections. He brings this passion and energy for performance, purpose, and impact to events of all types, as well as to those he professionally coaches to strengthen their performance mindset and success in life, business, and careers.Jon is a former sales & marketing executive in big corporations as well as a tech entrepreneur. As a remarkable addition - Jon is a professional magician and has performed around the globe for audiences of all types. This one-of-a-kind combination brings relevancy, experience, and understanding to the real-world challenges and opportunities we face in our professional pursuits. It also produces masterful storytelling, engagement, and entertainment factor that is uniquely and unequivocally the Jon Petz Experience. Far more than “JUST” a keynote, it is the perfected trifecta of strategy & mindset, personal inspiration, and incredible entertainment.USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, ABC News, Success Magazine and many other media outlets have covered the success of Jon Petz and his quest to help people engage deeper, perform better, and fuel growth personally and professionally. His second book, Boring Meetings Suck, ™ was named by Inc. Magazine as a top ten and must-read business book.Jon’s third book, Significance In Simple Moments, has gone through six printings and focuses on human connections...

"It's not an end game. It's just how life goes"Thomas Brigger talks about his latest novel "Beyond the Higher Ground". It is about a Project Manager for a very large construction company who finds an opportunity to restart his life after losing his wife building a prison on a mountain in the Appalachian Mountains. In the process, he discovers a world he never knew existed- an opioid underground. As the prison goes up, the drug smugglers press to get him to move off the land and abandon the project. A test of endurance and perseverance. With so many today under crisis mode, this book speaks to us about standing the test of time. A man's personal tragedy and his recovery come together with the opioid crisis showing us that there is more than higher ground in the mountains. When we shy away from adversity, we start building our own prisons. When you go higher, you just need to keep going, to have hope, and to keep moving in life, and keep living through adversity. Thomas's takeaways: ~ Once you reach the higher ground you can go beyond it~ The simplest things can make a world of difference for someone else~ Find your process - sticky notes are a huge help~ You need to have hope in order to keep movingThere are times where we shy away from adversity which creates a personal prison for us. Identifying that helps you to be able to piece together a blueprint of what you will need to do next. When we shy away from adversity it is often connected to how we believe others will view our circumstances. It where the whole IG lifestyle comes in. Yet, it is your transparency that will allow you to embrace your current situation. We have to have a clear picture of what higher ground will look like for us. Not our children, not our neighbors, and not even the picture our parents have for what higher ground looks like will always match what we see for ourselves. Higher ground requires us to let go of the picture that was given to us in order to create our own picture. It helps in business and in life. Meet Thomas: Thomas A. Brigger is a businessman, entrepreneur, traveler, and author of Beyond the Higher Ground, a novel about intrigue and suspense amid the opioid crisis in Appalachia. With a background including construction worker, small business owner, instructional writer, real estate developer, builder, consultant, and corporate executive, the author draws from his experience to recognize the nuances of human behavior. Proclaimed by a former instructor to be “potentially one of the great writers of the century”, Brigger set aside his business interests to concentrate on writing fiction, a craft that he mastered by writing short stories for most of his adult life. He writes from his home in Southwest Ohio, where he focuses on the variants of American life and matters of importance to American people.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)https://www.beyondthehigherground.com/

I am a keynote speaker, author, and organization development professional with over 30 years of experience supporting global corporations, including Mars, Inc., and IBM. I have written two books on teamwork: "Lessons from Mars: How One Global Company Cracked the Code on High-Performance Collaboration and Teamwork" and “Virtual Teams: Holding the Center When You Can’t Meet Face-to-Face.” Both books are based on original research I conducted during my 17 years as an internal consultant at Mars, where I worked with iconic brands such as M&M's, Snickers, and Wrigley’s gum.I have presented and offered workshops at numerous conferences including the Midwest Technology Leaders Conference, the North American Organization Development Network, The Conference Board, and the Organization Design Forum. I am also a guest lecturer at American University and George Mason University.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)LinkedIn - Carlos Valdes-DapenaTwitter - @CarlosVDapenaFacebook - @crvdapena

"I'm okay""It's nothing" "I'll get over it" These are just a few of the things that people will say in order to deflect from telling someone that they are going through grief, anxiety, or depression. It has become easier to just put a mask on but it has also become very dangerous. Far too many people are walking around believing that what they are feeling will just go away. In this episode, we hope to normalize people being able to remove the mask in order to get the support they need. Andrea shared what grief looked like for her and her family after the death of her sister. It is a discussion that will change how you look at "feeling down". Andrea's nuggets: ~ We have been conditioned to move on and get back to a routine quickly ~ Many aren't told how to handle grief even after losing a loved one~ Tears release the words that we are unable to say sometimes ~ You can build resilience while you are grieving ~ Even in the church, many don't know what to do with the pain they feel There may have been moments when the anger and frustration of you losing someone made you question your religious beliefs, your relationships, and even your own judgment. Conversations are needed in order to uproot that anger and frustration or to replace it. We need a community to help us heal in the midst of it all. That community includes:A therapist A coach A counselor A friend This is also a great time to start journaling. It helps to release the words that sometimes get stuck in our throats when we try to talk about what happened. Another thing that popped up in this discussion is the fact that some of the grief and anxiety that we carry are not our own. There are many instances where we are carrying the grief and anxiety from the previous generation or from close family and friends. We have almost become the bag lady as Erykah Badu says. The only thing is that with these bags we are hurting more than our back. Meet Andrea:Hi my name is Andrea A. Moore and I am an Intuitive Grief Coach that helps siblings and entrepreneurs navigate, cope, and understand their grief journey. In 2010 is when I stepped into the boxing ring with grief. that is the year I watched my sister fight for her life and entire her new life on 6/13. One of the hardest moments of my life. What I did not know is that I would be the creator's vessel. As of today, I have supported over 100 women to navigate, cope, and understand their journey.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)www.instagram.com/fromgrieftogrindwww.facebook.com/fromgrieftogrind

Peak performance is a term we often hear in refernece to sports but it is a term that can be applied to life and business. It is when we execute at our highest level. Bpundaries need to be tested and stretched in order for us to reach our peak performance. Also, our peak performance can and will change as we grow and come in contact with life's circumstances. This is why this episode is such a powerful one. After being considered brain dead and paralyzed by a car accident, Lindsey started at square one in order to reach her pek performance. "Master your mindset and balance your life through self care, self worth and self discipline" Peak Performance begins when you cn be honest about where you are and where you want to go. For Lindsey that meant learning to walk and talk again after waking up a week after her accident. This is not the moment when many would be focused on peak performance. This would normally be the moment when people focus on just survival. Survival is necessary but thriving is where peak performance sets in. It is a daily fight to achieve our greatest life...our greatest business...our greatest relationship. Lindsey's nuggets:~ God has a greater plan ~ There won't always be someone to blame when things happen in your life~ You always have a choice~ Make a commitment to the choice that you make ~ You can'[t focus on the negative and positive at the same time~ The thought may be immediate but the process takes timeWhen you make the decision to fight for something greater you are testing your current boundaries. It may be a physical boundary or a mental boundary. Either way, you will be pushing against opinions, facts, and emotion driven thoughts. You are not alone in that. You may even have people who are close to you saying things that they believe is the best option for you. Reaching your peak performance will test those close to you just as much as it will test you. In this moment you may need to strengthen boundaries and value the word "no". Oh, and yes, sometimes you will even need to say "no" to yourself. Self discipline is valuable. Meet Lindsey: A 2007 wreck left Lindsey Vertner brain dead and paralyzed. She turned her pain into purpose by teaching others how to overcome their obstacles and create a “first-class life” full of purpose and genuine happiness! As a coach, speaker, and author, Lindsey teaches ambitious leaders how to balance their lives by putting themselves first without guilt. As co-founder of The Unleashed Woman, she organizes women's empowerment and networking events. Connect with her at www.LindseyVertner.comSocial Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)Website: www.LindseyVertner.comNon-profit Website: www.TheUnleashedWoman.netFacebook: www.facebook.com/LindseyVertnerInstagram: www.instagram.com/LindseyVertnerNon-profit Instagram: www.instagram.com/TheUnleashedWomanDotNetTwitter: www.twitter.com/LindseyVertnerYouTube: www.bit.ly/lindseyvertneryoutubeLinked In: www.linkedin.com/in/LindseyVertner

Mental health has been a taboo topic passed on as the "family secret". With Generation Z we have come to find that they are not only willing to talk about it, they are also ready to get healed from it. Many of the older generations have been taken aback by their boldness when it comes to depression, anxiety, and trauma. Mix in a pandemic, virtual learning, fires, storms, and parents becoming teachers...you've got yourself a whole to talk about. It starts with preventive mental health techniques as early as possible. Things like learning boundaries, creating a safe environment to communicate, and learning how to deal with disappointment can be great tools. Then when unexpected things happen, like what we are experiencing this year, we are a little better equipped to give our children the help they need. Don't think that it is too late for you to help your children, and yourself, to be able to handle what is currently happening. Usha's nuggets: ~ It's really important to remember that children don't have the resources that we have as adults~ Be mindful of your child's increased screentime due to school, social media, and video games~ Monitor your children for mood swings that are out of character for them~ Find healthy ways to manage frustrations for you and your family ~ Accept that people will have varying personalities in accordance with their environment~ Expect and be flexible to handle change In today's episode, Usha gave us some things to think about when it comes it our mental health as a parent as well as the mental health of our children. When we neglect these things we find ourselves frustrated and drained each day. Proper mental health care can make your home a lot more peaceful. Find your outlets! When you are unable to be separate from what is frustrating you, and outlet will give you the relief that you need. Some pretty popular outlets include dancing, writing, and cooking. (Uh, that last one can get a little dangerous depending on what you are cooking. lol) Don't just find your outlets. Make those who are close to you aware of the outlets that you have so they can know how to help you when things get a little tough. It makes a differenceIt can save a lifeMeet Usha: I am the founder of Healing Feeling and author of "Your Happy Child 10 Proven Steps to Raising a Happy Child" I'm also a child and adult psychotherapist.I support parents to empower their children and heal their own inner child through the experience of parenthood and adulthood.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)https://www.facebook.com/ParentYourHappyChild/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ushachudasama/www.healing-feeling.com

Now is the time to stop throwing your money in the air and hoping it lands on good ground. I know that may sound a little harsh but hear me out. This is the episode where you will plan for your financial comeback and that can only be done if we have a clear understanding of where we are financially. So, #SpeakEasy listeners do you know where you are financially? There were many people that believed that they were financially secure when they actually weren't. This year was definitely a gut punch to our revenue streams and side hustles. No matter what effect this year has had in your business and life, you can still plan for a comeback. I want you to be in a great position to start 2021 strong. Dr. Ranelli's nuggets: ~ Make sure that we are increasing cash flows ~ Strategize on putting profits aside in our bank accounts~ Eventually build generational wealth ~ Get a strategy that works The starting point is your mindset. There are many habits, tools, and hacks that have been passed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, the majority of them are taking us in the opposite direction of our financial goal. You have to be deliberate and bold about end the generations of bad money habits. We make a decision to no longer have the rug pulled from under us. "We need to have a mindset of success." ~ Dr. Ranelli Sometimes you will need to remind yourself of what success would look like for you. Be mindful not to get caught up in someone else's definition of success. Along with this you will need to build your resilience. Your actions and words will have to fall in alignment with your goals. Be clear about what you want to see when it comes to building wealth, retirement, and your children's lives.Don't forget to take inventory of your gifts while on this journey. Listen in and take notes on some of the other gems that Dr. Ranelli dropped in this episode. Meet Dr. Ranelli:Dr. Ranelli A. Williams is a Certified Public Accountant, financial educator, and profit strategist, best-selling author, and award-nominated speaker empowering service-based entrepreneurs to take control of their money as they work towards building a strong financial legacy. She co-owns a tax and accounting business, ERJ Services, along with her husband Eric, helping their clients organize their financial data so they build a strong financial foundation, prioritize cash flow and profits, and strategize to pay only the minimum legal taxes. She is also the founder of Profitable Entrepreneurs Network, a community of service-based entrepreneurs who are looking to put a solid financial structure in place so they can focus on getting paid for doing what they love, keeping their hard-earned dollars secure, and facilitating continued growth and expansion.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)www.linkedin.com/in/drranelliwilliamswww.facebook.com/drranelliwilliams

"If you are going through hell, keep going!" ~ Winston ChurchhillFirst, let me say "thank you" to all of the veterans who listen in to The #SpeakEasy Podcast. We value your service to our serve in such a great capacity. Your actions, your life and your words are valuable!What was that "hell" moment in your life...in your business...in your relationship? In today's episode we get an inside view of one veteran's journey starting with the stuff on his shoes! This episode is reminder that there will be moments when you need to dust off the stories within your own journey in order for people to see their value. Fred broke down some things from his books that brought a smile to this little Philadelphian's face. Stories like the one that Fred shares are perfect for all the True Crime lovers of the world. His intricate details take you through the streets and lives of people in Philadelphia. I can remember growing up and seeing some of these same scenarios play out in the communities where I grew up, went to school and began to raise my own family. Aha moments that I received during this episode from Fred:~ After some time you may need to show up with a second edition~ There are lessons we learn from the people (Characters) in our life ~ Our pen has the ability to give a voice to our past ~ Stories get lost when no one shares them~ You never know who you will meet when you are walking in purposeThrough his stories, Fred brings light to a few areas that you would see on a Netflix documentary or movie. Meet Fred: Fred Schofield spent his early years as a U.S. Marine, he was decorated for valor under enemy fire and receives VA care for combat-connected conditions. He spent a large part of his life practicing criminal law, representing more sex workers during his time in the practice than any other attorney in the world. Fred's novels are heavily inspired by his unique life experiences. Specifically, he was compelled to pen the mystery/thriller The Boardwalkers after his colorful experiences as a lawyer. When it comes to his other novel, A Run to Hell, he was inspired by his real-life connections to the infamous death of Hollywood star Grace Kelly.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)https://frederick-schofield.com/

For many years there have been debates about giving and receiving help. The varying perspectives often are a product of personal experience. So your demographics can tend to sway you one way or another. There is one constant in this discussion: There are people who need help and there are people that want to help them! As a single mother that has dealt with homelessness, divorce, molestation and numerous other life circumstances, I tend to be on the side that wants to help. That was why when I saw the article on Quartz discussing the impact that podcasts have been having on women in India...it brought my heart joy! We have the opportunity and the power to help in some way. India ranks second in listeners for The #SpeakEasy Podcast We have had guests that represent cultures from across the globe, including India I was featured in UpWords Magazine which is based in India For all the love and support, I thank you! Support from listeners across the globe mirror the vision I had when I started this show. We can each support and and help in some way. Check out today's episode for more details about this made my heart smile. Come join the conversation bit.ly/worldvoicecommunity

Don't lose sight of the dream and don't let go of the joy! When you think about this statement it is NOT one that you will hear coming from most coaches. Yet, as we journey through entrepreneurship we find that this statement needs to be engrained on our foundation. When we lose sight of the dream and we lose the joy it can lead to burnout. So let's get down to the nitty-gritty. We going to get real about this for speakeasy listeners because a lot of y'all don't love what you're doing. Like you're not enjoying the business that you started. What started as a passion has ultimately turned into a punishment. Trust me...you are not alone. There are many entrepreneurs that have gotten to that point of wanting to give up. Don't worry! This is the episode for you! Patricia took us to the root of this shift in today's episode. Here are a few things to ponder before you let go of that vision.~ Have you said yes to do something that does not bring you joy? ~ Are you living up to someone else's expectations?~ Do you find it difficult to say no? ~ Are you doing things out of an obligation to someone you admire? ~ Has time become a distraction to your goals? ~ How do you respond to disappointments? When asking yourself these questions you are able to see things clearly. You take the emotion out of your decision making and focus on the facts. Truthfully, the facts don't always feel good. Patricia Gems: ~ Remind yourself of what you have been called to do~ Understand that there will be moments when things get a little tougher~ You have to make time for fun ~ Take time to determine why you are saying yes ~ Sometimes you will need to have a coaching session with yourself ~ Make longterm adjustments for your joy Taking the initiative to be all in is going to take more effort than people talk about. It may be getting up early or staying up late. There will be times when you have to win the fight against your comfort zone. Don't allow the climb up the mountain allow you to not take in the beauty of being on a mountain. Seek God and put trust in the plan that he has for you! We can't get everything we need from Uncle Google and Auntie YouTube. Some things will come from your own experience and willpower. Take the leap and learn to fly on the way down so you don't allow procrastination to steal your dream. Your dream is valuable because when you achieve it...it blesses more than you. Meet Patricia:My name is Patricia Barnes. I am a motivational speaker, blogger, and founder of Go Patty LLC. Go Patty is a movement to inspire, motivate, and empower others to work through the pain, fears, and insecurities, become whole(spiritual, personal, interpersonal, mental, emotional, and financial), from broken to healed, dream big then take action, constantly work on personal development, and of course, have fun in between.My website gopatty.comSocial Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)FB & IG - Gopattybrand

Advocacy takes on different roles in order to empower the voice and impact the lives of people. In today's episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Howard Ross about the past, present, and future of advocacy. Education will always be what inspires change and action will be the driving force. We see it throughout history. "My whole life I've come to realize that if you're going to spend your life shaking the trees, occasionally a coconut is going to hit you on the head."Fighting for the rights of others means fighting for a better society. Howard went to his first Civil Rights at the age of 15 and with over 55 years of advocating for others, you can see that it made a huge impact in his life. He shared with us significant impacts that his family has made when it came to advocacy. Being Jewish during the Holocaust, 43 members of Howard's family were murdered. His own grandfather was living in a village where 100 Jews were killed by Nazis. The emotional impact of what we see, hear, and live through can be the spark to initiate change. It can become a heavy shadow on the families, communities, and generations that are connected to it in some way. We see a huge shift as younger generations are taking the reigns and demanding results in a similar way that we saw Baby Boomers do when they were younger. On one hand, it can make you proud that they have the motivation to do so but on the other, it can be saddening that we are still fighting the same fight.Howard dropped nuggets about we can do better when it comes to understanding and or being part of the current wave of advocates. I stumbled into advocacy because of my personal experiences with homelessness, abuse, molestation, and divorce. Prejudice against a certain group of people usually comes from a disconnect between their story and your own. Howard's nuggets: ~ Remember those that came before you and the life the lived ~ Use the emotional impact as fuel but be strategic ~ Understand that change does not always happen immediately~ Do the research on what you hear~ Protests matter and have their place in initiating change ~ Anger and rage are valid emotions when you feel unheard or mistreated~ NEVER label the majority by the actions of the few This episode will be my most memorable because the current climate of the world is a tough one to navigate. I appreciate the advocates that stand up in the face of fear, miseducation, prejudice, and miscommunication to fight for something bigger than them. I think back to when I first watched movies like Freedom Writers and Lean on Me. It was significant for me because it was a seed of understanding that we each can do something that matters. We each have the power to make an impact. To the advocates who consistently fight for change...we see you! Thank you! Meet Howard Ross:Howard Ross is a lifelong social justice advocate and is considered one of the world’s seminal thought leaders on identifying and addressing unconscious bias. He is the author of ReInventing Diversity: Transforming Organizational Community to Strengthen People, Purpose and Performance, (published by Rowman and Littlefield in conjunction with SHRM in 2011), and the Washington Post bestseller, Everyday Bias: Identifying and Navigating Unconscious Judgments in Our Daily Lives, (published by Rowman and Littlefield in 2014). His latest book, Our Search for Belonging: How Our Need to Connect is Tearing Us Apart, released by Berrett-Koehler in May of 2018, won the 2019 Nautilus Book Award Gold Medal for Social Change and Social Justice.Howard has specialized in the synthesis of neuro-cognitive and social science research and direct application re Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Accessibility work. His client work has focused on the areas of corporate culture change, leadership development, and managing...

Here is a hard truth to handle for most entrepreneurs...You are leaving money and opportunities on the table everyday! Ask yourself this question and give yourself an honest answer. Are you dominating the rooms you are in both in person and virtually? Be honest! This episode was a personal, and professional, chastising for me but I’ll let you in on the conversation. I received an email from PodBean about live-streaming and it peaking my interest. Since The #SpeakEasy Podcast started as a livestream on Facebook this would be perfect. Then it happened...I went to the site and noticed that I had not claimed my podcast. Omg!! I signed up for the site years ago but I was not using everything it had to offer. (How many can relate on one level or another?) Once I claimed my show I saw an opportunity to market through PodBean. Oh, if you connect with us on PodBean we’ll follow you back. Let’s grow together! So how do we show up and dominate the room? - Lead with service - Have conversations within the community - Ask questions - Follow up and then follow up again- Be consistent in your actions, service and engagement When we create a strategy for how we show up online and offline it sets the standard. Social media has shrunk the seven degrees of separation to three within the span of a few years. That means that you can connect with almost anyone when you execute at the highest level. Deliver your best and allow word of mouth to do the rest. Come join the conversation by going bit.ly/worldvoicecommunity

Let's be honest, in the world of zoom...pants are optional. The running joke has become that business meetings have become business up top and party down below. With that being said, what does dressing for success look like in 2020? As a wardrobe stylist spoke to both the visual way we dress for success and the mental way that we dress for success. Traditional ways of doing business are in the rearview mirror which leaves some unanswered questions for those in the speaking industry. There was already a shift from suits and dresses to t-shirts and jeans within the last few years. So, are pajamas in the next wave of speaker attire?Tiara J started off by stating that the presentation really does matter. When we realize that how we show up is a representation of our brand, then we will show up leaving the impression on people that makes them want to connect with us. We want them to support us, become our clients, or become a platform that we can use. With that in mind, your first impression truly does matter...make it count! Do a self-check when it comes to these major areas:Your background Your audio Your lighting Your family or guestsDressing for success takes on a different meaning when we think about relationships. With the shift to homeschooling and remote working, relationships have been strained and stretched to their limits. When you think about dressing for success there you must include both verbal and non-verbal communication. We have to take an honest look at the effects of stress on us and our loved ones. Are they covering up stress with overeating like a patch over a rip in a dress? Tiara's gems: Take the time to get to know yourself Look at what is causing you stress and determine if you can let it goCommunication is your fits line of defense Know when it is time to rest Tiara makes a point of sharing how important it is to recognize when you have to tap the reset button in life and in business. Not just a regular rest either. She said a hard reset. She stressed the importance of self-love self-care and managing your time! Wherever you put your focus is when you will spend your time. Think about where you have been spending your time recently. Is it where you wanted to be? If not, let's change that!Meet Tiara Johnson: Tiara Johnson is a Mompreneur Powerhouse! She is a Wardrobe Stylist Extraordinaire, Business Social Media Strategist, Mentor, Women’s Advocate, #Metoo Overcomer, and SHE IS OFFICIALLY NOW AN AUTHOR!!!!! She is a native of Washington DC where she raises her 11-year-old daughter, the future Madame President 2048. She is the Founder and CEO of Women with Vision, Her Seat at the Table, and Styled by Tiara J where she assists Women bosses in training to find their purpose as well as take the necessary first steps in launching their brands and businesses.Tiara’s organizations are founded on love, support, unity, and women’s empowerment. Her mission is to empower today’s women to reach greater heights for tomorrow’s world. Tiara’s Mission in Life is pledging to make the everyday woman look like she is walking straight off the runway. One of her Favorite Quotes is: When you believe in your dreams eventually others will start to believe as well.Social Media Handles (LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.)Facebook: Tiara JohnsonInstagram: iam_tiarajTwitter: @TheTiaraJBrand