As Told By Nomads

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Doni Aldine, as we talk about the cross-cultural superpowers of empathy, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence in creating a sense of belonging. As someone who’s identified with 7 different cultures at the early age of 19, Doni explains the importance of adding emotional intelligence in cross-cultural communication and interaction. In this episode, she also shares about CULTURS Magazine and how the celebration of multicultural identities inculcates in everything they do through media, products, and experiences. Everything cross-culture can’t be explained any better than Doni Aldine herself, so make sure to tune in to everything she shares!

Being Emotionally Intelligent Through Cultural Mobility 

For Doni, people of color and multi-cultures are usually those that have the most cultural mobility. It’d only make sense. Because they move from one place to another, they adapt to the environment and culture outside of their own, or their parent’s as they grow. Aside from the culture that they’re born into, living in these in-between spaces also gives them a poly-dimensional POV of people’s background that helps them rise to meet other people’s differences better. But what if an individual hasn’t experienced that level of geographical mobility? Doni elaborates how an individual can still develop emotional intelligence in this scenario. If someone comes from a small and humble town and proceeds with his/her higher education, entering a university can already be a means for cultural mobility that aids in enhancing an individual’s emotional intelligence. As the person co-learns with thousands of individuals coming from various backgrounds in one space, his/her learned culture and emotional intelligence expand even if free from intention. 

Outline of the episode:

• [03:16]The Americans!
• [05:16] On growing up with multiple varying languages.
• [08:30]There are many dimensions to being a third-culture individual.
• [11:31]Third-culture kids/individuals can have delayed adolescence.
• [14:14]The superpower of most third-culture kids/individuals.
• [16:06]People with minimal cultural mobility can still widen their emotional intelligence.
• [20:07]CULTURS Magazine: Celebrating every cross-cultural identity!
• [23:40]“It was less about the format and more about the reach.”
• [24:17]The Focus on Print: Print is not dead nor dying.
• [32:40]CULTURS is a global multicultural lifestyle network.
• [35:03]The differences that create a sense of belonging. 

Resources:

Website: https://www.cultursmag.com/doni/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CultursMag

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnyale/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/donnyale

Check out CULTURS Mag: https://www.cultursmag.com/

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Michael Sharkey, as we talk about the power and importance of storytelling. Michael Sharkey is a podcaster, radio veteran, and coach with vast experience in the audio industry. Now, with the rise of podcast listenership, Michael helps entrepreneurs find their voices by confidently giving them the ability to create unique podcasts. Today, he shares his wealth of knowledge to develop the audience we want using the right tools we need. Also, if you are looking to start a podcast of your own, feel free to check out Michael’s gift in the links below!

Sharing Your Uniqueness in Service of Others

Podcasting is not about finding a good microphone and talking into it for hours on end. It is about finding your voice and telling your story. But it is not easy to find your voice when you are just starting. Hence, if you plan on starting a podcast yourself, the best place to start is to know what you want to talk about—and I mean, not just anything under the sun. It should be something you genuinely care about because it will help you find your voice and share a uniqueness you may have never known you had. Michael Sharkey said it best with a quote from Larry Winget, “Find your uniqueness and exploit it in service of others.” To Michael, this quote encompasses the truth of podcasts. In podcasting, everyone has an opportunity to find their uniqueness. But the best part is, when they share that uniqueness, others who identify with it will be inspired to do the same. In the end, everybody deserves a chance to share their story, and who knows, your story might just inspire someone else to share theirs.

Outline of the episode:

• [03:25] How Michael got started and why he pursued the audio industry.
• [05:40] The power of storytelling and the importance of critical thinking.
• [08:29] Why he took a sabbatical after leaving radio and how it changed his life.
• [11:25] How traveling is essential in self-discovery, learning, and development.
• [12:30] Finding your voice amid vulnerability and exploiting in service of others.
• [15:02] A step-by-step discussion on how to start your podcast and the value of knowing your uniqueness.
• [19:35] How 100% of podcasts evolve and why it is okay to diverge from the initial plan.
• [22:19] The secret to every great interviewer and why you should treat interviews like any conversation.
• [24:33] How the only barrier to podcasting is your mindset and why everyone deserves to tell their story.
• [26:57] Why quality still matters when starting a podcast and how your podcast can sound just like your favorites.
• [30:47] How Michael Sharkey developed his Podcast Roadmap and why he enjoys sharing information with the world.
• [35:41] How your podcast can take any shape you want it to be.
• [39:26] Michael’s advice for aspiring podcasters and storytellers about being proud of your uniqueness and sharing it with the world. 
• [42:56] How Michael uses his difference to make a difference. 

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsharkeypodcastcoach/ 

Website: https://yourpodcastcoach.com/tayo

FREE Podcast Roadmap: https://www.yourpodcastcoach.com/ 

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Caroline Boudreaux, as we talk about the need for vigilance and how to activate your inner giver. Caroline Boudreaux is a social entrepreneur and founder of Miracle Foundation, where for the past 20 years, they have empowered orphans and vulnerable children to reach their full potential. Miracle Foundation’s revolutionary Thrive Scale™ methodology is based on the UN Rights of the Child and leverages data and technology to create a family for every child in our lifetime. If you want to be part of the cause, check out their website down below!

Activating Your Inner Giver

We all have different privileges, and we often don’t realize them until we’re exposed to other’s lack of access. With the pandemic, people have recognized these privileges and even shared access to those who have less to none. But, how can we make sure it won’t just be a trend? Instead, how can we make this a mainstay movement where we are active participants dismantling oppressive systems? While awareness of the situation is essential, vigilance is nothing without action. Hence, we need generosity, and not just a ‘one-time’ kind of generosity but a consistent kind. In turn, by giving consistently, we get what money can never buy—gratitude, fulfillment, contentment, peace, and love. Being radically generous is always an incredible way to start, and whether it is a million or a single dollar, generosity is generosity. After all, people who are willing to give all they have are always blessed with more. As long as we focus on providing and gratitude, the virtuous cycle will go on.

Outline of the episode:

[02:40] Why 2000 was a pivotal year for Caroline and what she did before then.

[07:18] What ‘passion’ truly means and other things money cannot buy.

[09:20] How the pandemic has affected her work at the Miracle Foundation.

[11:46] The power of privilege and recognizing ours to help others with less.

[15:57] How to become more aware of root causes of issues in a system.

[17:49] Why the foster care system can be harmful to a child’s development.

[21:21] The need for vigilance and generosity, and how to activate your inner giver.

[23:14] “Privilege, Access, Action” and how to help others with the access we often don’t realize we have.

[27:04] Caroline’s response to pushbacks from critics of non-profit organizations.

[29:15] How you help the Miracle Foundation and where you can reach out to them.

[31:19] How Caroline Boudreaux uses her difference to make a difference.

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

Twitter

UYD Collective

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Linkedin

Podcast

Twitter

Personal Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Dean Foster, as we talk about how cultural awareness can improve global work interactions. Dean Foster is a speaker, presenter, and author, who has played a central role in developing cross-culture training and consulting. He is also the founder of DFA Intercultural Global Solutions and the former worldwide director of Berlitz Cross-Cultural. Currently, Dean serves as the executive strategic consultant of Dwellworks Intercultural, helping people develop global cultural agility and a skillset for working across borders. Now, if you want to be more culturally aware, feel free to get in touch with Dean Foster via his website down below!

Cultural Awareness In Global Virtual Work

With how global work has become, cultural awareness can significantly affect how we communicate with our clients and our team. After all, cultures often differ in communication styles. Some cultures would evade negatives and retreat into silence rather than elect a topic. Meanwhile, others would come forward with a case and explain issues in detail. A global meeting will always have people with varying communication styles, and having it in a virtual setting will only accentuate these differences even more. Hence, as a leader or even a member of a global meeting, whether virtual or not, you need to practice mindfulness, understanding, and respect, all essential in cultural awareness. That way, people can feel comfortable communicating the way they need to. You have to use virtual meetings as a vehicle for listening, not just telling, and it takes enlightenment from the right resources to do so, such as Cultural Concierge. 

Outline of the episode:

[04:07] Dean Foster’s background and how he got to where he is today.

[08:48] What changed in globalization and cross-cultural work through the years.

[16:30] How the revolution in technology supercharged the influence of cultural information and training.

[18:34] What Cultural Concierge is and how technology made it easier for the service to provide ongoing cross-cultural support.

[20:51] How cultural awareness can solve the fundamental issues of working globally.

[25:13] Being guided by a cultural expert versus doing the research yourself.

[27:13] The best practices for remote work and how to improve communication in a virtual setting.

[32:17] How Dean navigated between his media and teaching career through storytelling.

[35:50] Cultural Dexterity versus Cultural Relativity: how understanding and respect is essential in working globally.

[40:07] What Dean thinks is the future of virtual work based on life during the pandemic.

[41:53] The element of loneliness in the relocation business and how to get comfortable with separation from familiarity.

[45:42] How Dean Foster uses his difference to make a difference.

Resources:

LinkedIn

Website

Cultural Concierge Services:

UYD Collective:

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Linkedin:

Podcast

Twitter:

Personal Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Netta Jenkins, as we talk about how sharing our experiences can impact how we educate others. Netta is an acclaimed author, diversity and inclusion executive, and the co-founder of Dipper. This platform guides professionals of color to better workplaces one review at a time, whether good, bad, or indifferent. Today, she shares with us her journey, from her previous awakening from systematic oppression to her current actions dismantling it. If you want to participate in Netta’s collective, check out her company website in the links below!

Collective Power And A Chance To Speak

For a long time, people of color have often been afraid to share their experiences with systematic oppression, whether in the education system or the workplace. But with the recent movement in black media and the rise of anti-blackness, people started to create safe spaces to share their experiences. As a result, more are coming out, owning what is going on, and taking a stand. Yes, we still need to earn money but in the end, our lives, and the lives of others like us, still matter more. Hence, we tend to share our experiences with others like us, keeping them from dangerous situations while guiding them to better solutions. Here, we raise a level of power, the kind of power only a collective can achieve. Take professionals of color in the workplace, for example. While they do have a seat at the table, they do not always have a chance to speak out because they are both outnumbered and undervalued. Hence, whether we are a part of a marginalized group or not, we still need to either facilitate a safe space for them to contribute ourselves or hold organizations accountable for not doing so themselves.

Outline of the episode:

[03:09] What led Netta to tackle systemic oppression and racism.

[06:18] How guilt propelled her to fight for people, especially marginalized groups.

[08:08] Netta’s path to becoming a Diversity and Inclusion executive.

[10:27] How the proximity to leadership is vital in dismantling systems of oppression.

[11:54] The recent movement within black media on a global scale and the rise of anti-blackness.

[15:22] What Dipper is and how it can help professionals of color navigate the job hunting space.

[18:14] The need to give qualified professionals of color the chance to speak out and contribute to organizations.

[20:46] Collective power and how sharing experiences can impact how we educate others in any field.

[22:00] How Netta finds the time to be a DI executive, a co-founder, and a mother.

[24:18] The difference between ‘Diversity & Inclusion’ and ‘Anti-Racism.’

[27:06] Where people can interact with Dipper and how they share the platform.

[27:55] How Netta Jenkins uses her difference to make a difference.

Resources:

LinkedIn:

Twitter: 

Dipper Website: 

Facebook

Instagram: 

UYD Collective:

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Linkedin:

Podcast

Twitter:

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Karen Tiber Leland, as we talk about being the most productive with your time. Karen Tiber Leland is the founder of Sterling Marketing Group, a branding and marketing strategy and implementation firm specializing in personal, business and CEO branding. Karen has worked in more than 50 countries with clients such as: LinkedIn, Capital One, Google, Apple, Avis Car Rental, FedEx and Pfizer. 

She is the best-selling author of ten books, which have sold more than 400,000 copies. Her latest are The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand and No Nonsense Time Management: 50 Ways To Hack Your Time and Get Everything Done. Karen writes regularly for Inc.com, Entreprenuer.com and others.  

Karen has been interviewed by The Today Show, CNN, Fox News and Oprah. Karen is a certified YPO speaker and has also presented at TEDx, Harvard, The American Marketing Association, Stanford and Yale.

More information is available at her website: www.karenleland.com

The Power of Delegation

We often believe we have so little time already that we should not waste it on delegating a task to someone else. But delegation is not merely about giving someone something to do. It is about determining the things on your plate that you should not be doing either because it is not within your skill set or takes you more time to do it. Here, you have to keep in mind the “opportunity cost” where you could be spending your time doing more important tasks, such as business development, branding, and marketing. You have to take the time to train someone else or to set someone else, so they win at that delegated task. Most people think they do not have the time to entrust a job to someone else. But the truth is we have to look at the long-term effects of delegation. For instance, you might take an hour to teach someone else how to do a task now, but over the next few months, it would save you more hours than it would if you did the job yourself. In the end, delegation helps us manage our time and focus more efficiently, leading to more satisfaction and results.

Outline of the episode:

[04:21] Karen’s thoughts on how people can manage their time during the pandemic.

[07:26] “Focus” management, competing priorities, and how to feel more productive.

[12:46] How to save time in the long run with the power of delegation.

[15:16] Harnessing the power of completion to cure today’s epidemic of incompletion.

[19:12] Understanding the three types of social media and how to find a balance between them.

[23:25] Promised Goals vs. Go-For-It Goals and why it is essential to distinguish them.

[25:40] The value of having a to-do list or using a productivity app in developing the habit of completion.

[27:54] How knowing your learning style can help you be most productive with your time.

[29:58] The infamous email inbox, ways you can overcome it, and even use it to your advantage.

[31:31] What time blocking is and how it can help you deal with interruptions and focus more.

[33:51] Karen’s experience with co-authoring Time Managemen In An Instant with Keith Bailey.

[35:55] How Karen Tiber Leland uses her difference to make a difference.

Resources:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenleland/

Website :

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Dr. Kathleen Allen, as we talk about self-organizing towards purpose. Dr. Allen is a management consultant who has helped organizations employ nature-based methods to enhance employee engagement and strengthen leadership. Today, she shares with us her journey from working in higher education to starting her consulting business. Dr. Allen is also the author of the inspiring book Leading from the Roots, which is now available for digital download on her website. Feel free to check it out!

Self-organizing Towards Purpose

Dr. Kathleen Allen believes that self-organization is the secret sauce for healthy organizations. For, in nature, everybody takes the initiative and self-organizes—tree, birds, and ants— everything evolves. But nature as a whole holds self-organization in a somewhat loose kind of container, which Dr. Allen would refer to as purpose. When nature has a purpose, it creates conditions conducive to life because its purpose is life. And based on Dr. Allen’s experience, organizations that have a strong “how do we thrive 100 years from now” kind of mentality are the ones that succeed. Hence, self-organization requires a purpose. We do not have to work eight hours in our seats to be productive. We just have this organic flow that allows us to balance ourselves while getting the job done. In turn, organizations should reward people’s diverse ways of cooperating towards their purpose instead of facilitating a zero-sum game.

About Dr. Kathleen Allen:

In her consulting practice, Dr. Kathleen Allen specializes in leadership coaching and organizational change in non-profit foundations, small to mid-sized businesses, and higher education institutions. She has written and presented widely on leadership, human development, and organizational development. Dr. Allen is also a skilled facilitator of organizational change and organizational development. Her works encourage shared ownership of project results, long-term sustainable change for the organization, and increased staff members and leaders’ capacity in those organizations.

Dr. Allen has written many articles and contributed to various books, including The Transforming Leader: New Approaches to Leadership for the Twenty-first Century (Pearson, 2012) and Innovation in Environmental Leadership: Critical Perspectives (Redekop, Gallagher, & Satterwhite Eds., 2018). She recently wrote Leading from the Roots: Nature Inspired Leadership Lessons for Today’s World, which firmly anchors leadership in nature’s soil. The book has a foundational leadership framework that challenges 20th-century views and utilizes leadership concepts universally applied to all contexts.

Outline of the episode:

[03:34] Dr. Allen’s life growing up and how burnout led her to change career paths.

[05:37] How she came up with a nature-based methodology to management and leadership.

[08:59] Defining organization as living systems rather than rigid structures.

[12:34] How to start a movement through creating authentic engagement and leadership.

[15:37] Organizational photosynthesis and the different forms of human energy.

[20:00] How cooperation encourages diversity and, in turn, keeps an organization alive.

[24:38] Understanding the new generation of workers through self-organization.

[28:11] Characteristics that can help you self-organize towards purpose.

[31:19] How COVID exposed the fragility and degeneration of the current systems in place.

[35:16] The promise of a regenerating economy through the adaptive cycle and eventual resistance.

Resources:

Website

Facebook

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Jenny Chang, as we talk about The Bridge Between Control and Surrender. Jenny is an entrepreneur of multiple experiential firms, a mind and soul set podcaster, a coach, and an intuitive writer. She loves sharing and guiding people to manifest and create their ideas. Jenny is also a growing influencer, especially on TikTok so, feel free to check her out!

Control What You Can, But Equally Meet Surrendering

Jenny Chang says that every entrepreneur and creator has this syndrome of wanting everything to be perfect. People want everything to be perfect to the point that they eventually don’t even start because they are stuck in the shadow of their plans instead of getting their product out there or getting connections, etc. She says that creators should change their perspective and quotes that “It’s not I wanna start this business, it’s the world that needs this business.” To intentionally create an experience that we want, Jenny says we should build the bridge between control and surrender and points out that, “Control what you can but equally meet surrendering,” which is trusting the process and not controlling something so tight that you lose grip.

About Jenny Chang:

Jenny Chang is an event planner who managed to grow with zero experience when she started at the age of 19. Her company, ROCKNEVENTS has now been recognized as one of the country’s ‘Top 50 Event Planners’ by PartySlate, and ‘Top 10’ in Los Angeles by Junebug Weddings.

Recognized as ‘Team RNE,’ her firm is filled with legendary producers who create modern and timeless experiential events, guide couples and corporate partners through the start-to-finish celebration-planning process. With that, Jenny realizes that her service is well needed. She opens up an online learning program, ‘ROCKNUNIVERSITY.’ Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, her program has reached great heights.

Outline of the episode:

[03:15] Tayo asks how Jenny Chang breaks the traditional roles of society

[08:50] Jenny Chang points out why entrepreneurs hesitate to create their ideas

[14:07] What it means to manifest according to Jenny

[18:49] Jenny decides to ask a question back to Tayo about his writing

[24:39] Jenny points out that going through problems in life is essential to strengthen our resilience

[29:21] Jenny shares a piece of advice on how she grew in social media

[40:22] To be an influencer, you have to be open-minded

[42:48] Jenny confesses that her followers help her create who she is as a person

[46:03] Where listeners can find more about what Jenny Chang do

[47:15] Jenny shares what she would do with her difference to make a difference

Resources:

Website

Instagram

TikTok

Podcast

Patreon

UYD Collective

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Linkedin

Podcast

Twitter

Personal Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Maayan Gordon, as we talk about changing your mindset and redefining your brand. Maayan is a glassblower, business owner, consultant, and influencer. She always loved sharing her life experiences creatively, and making short videos on TikTok was one of them. But it was not long until her experiences led her to viral success. Now, Maayan has over a decade of social media marketing experience, which helps her run her consulting agency Champion Empire. If you want to learn more about their media marketing services, feel free to check out their company website!

About Maayan Gordon:

Maayan Gordon is a four-time business owner, social media consultant, and Tiktok famous influencer. Her life has been an incredible but no less difficult journey, from college dropout to accomplished entrepreneur. She even rose from homelessness and survived a gas explosion of all things.

But with over 2 million followers on Tiktok, Maayan found success in sharing her life experiences by making short videos about them. Following her success on the platform, she later opened her consulting agency Champion Empire in 2020. The company offers coaching, media, and marketing services to those who wish to start an online business. Besides being a consultant, Maayan is also a skilled glassblower and has sold more than $1 Million in glass art directly through Instagram. As a result, she became one of 2020’s Digital Business Women's Female Tech Leaders.

Outline of the episode:

[02:50] What were the past ten years like for Gordon?

[04:28] Experiences that pushed her to shift her mindset.

[11:27] How does one get good at glass art?

[14:18] Storytelling and using videos to connect with others.

[17:50] Growing your social media.

[21:59] Maintaining connections despite social media drawbacks.

[26:05] The importance of building your own virtual/digital home.

[28:54] Social Media platforms Gordon is excited about.

[32:08] Advice on how to use the Clubhouse.

[34:05] Where to reach out to Gordon.

[37:00] Sharing creativity in a logical format.

Resources:

Website

LinkedIn

TikTok

Instagram

UYD Collective

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Linkedin

Podcast

Twitter

Personal Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Julia Goodman, as we talk about how to build a ‘you’ brand. Julia is an actress, producer, director, and performance coach. She loves being able to help people accept themselves for who they are and find their self-confidence within that. Julia is also the author of the inspiring book You Brand: A Manual for Confidence. Feel free to check it out!

Functional and Dysfunctional Perfectionism

We all have some degree of perfectionism in us. But perfectionism can either work for you or against you, and for Julia, it is the former. Julia Goodman likened functional and dysfunctional perfectionism to climbing mountains. According to her, dysfunctional perfectionism would be climbing one peak after the other with no breaks in between. Meanwhile, functional perfectionism would have more steps. The first step would be climbing the ‘mountain.’ But the next step would not be climbing another one soon after. Instead, it would be taking a break, recognizing back at your efforts, and moving on to the next one.

“Fear generates in you huge energy. You can use it,” Julia quoted from Dame Judi Dench. She then says that fear is like petrol; it is as helpful as it is dangerous. Like perfectionism, fear can either poison you or strengthen you. In the end, it all depends on how you handle it.

About Julia Goodman:

Julia Goodman was an actress, producer, and director for 27 years. She enjoyed early stardom in The Brothers and has appeared in several screen productions such as The Lotus Eaters and Beyond Reason. Along with Kate O’Mara, Julia is the co-founder of the British Actors Theatre Company. She even played leading roles in various Shakespearean performances worldwide.

Her You brand coaching methodology is rooted in the professional theatre’s psychology and techniques. It gives people a practical toolkit that allows them to develop as authentic and impactful communicators by showing them how to ‘perform as themselves.’ Hence, they come across as genuine, natural, and confident wherever they are.

Outline of the episode:

[04:09] Julia’s childhood and upbringing.

[06:26] Gaining independence amid group mentality.

[09:55] Her path to freedom from the entertainment industry.

[12:25] Why people often lose themselves.

[14:54] How one’s presence is a key to influence others.

[18:40] The rise of imposter syndrome during the quarantine.

[21:22] Why self-acceptance is essential.

[24:12] Tayo and Julia’s experiences with delivering a message to others.

[30:00] Julia shares a few things from her book, You Brand: A Manual for Confidence.

[38:55] How Julia balances her acting career and other professions.

Resources:

Website

You Brand Book

Twitter

UYD Collective

Connect with Tayo Rockson and the As Told By Nomads Podcast on:

Linkedin

Podcast

Twitter

Personal Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.