Awsomology

Ben is flying solo this time, but that's okay because he's talking to two intrepid adventurers who are giving their all to help ACCOSCA and the Africa Cooperative Development Foundation invest in state-of-the-art training facilities to benefit the SACCOs (African credit unions) across the continent of Africa.

Our guests talk about how they got involved with the African credit union movement, and how they're preparing for the climb along with other climbers, a dedicated ground crew, and international supporters.

Awesome things to share:

Learn more about Climb Africa and donate today!

School carpool line signs FTW!

Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life – Wayne Dyer

In this episode of the podcast, Ben and Sue talk about creating an empathy map to reach the right people with the right message, at the right time, how you can use those insights to connect in a human way, and how they apply in your day-to-day.

Check out our recommendations:

A major shout out to Filene Research. You should check out their insights.

James Webb: How does a grain of sand held at arm’s length look?

For a great night out in 75+ cities, investigate "Dinner Detective."

In this episode, Jimmy shares his journey as we explore the advantages and roadblocks to starting a business based on a hobby he's loved since he was a kid.

From the first steps to consider, through the building blocks of a successful online shop, and into the future of building and growing a loyal customer base for the long term, we cover it all, and then some.

Awesome things we recommend this month:

Check out the affordable and sustainable products from Grove.co

Read "Night" by Elie Wiesel

After consuming podcasts, articles, and think pieces (oh my), we decided to talk to more of our super-smart friends to help us fill in the blanks. In this episode, Ben and Sue are diving into the danger and disappointments of Rainbow Washing for the LGBTQIA+ community with the help of guests Angela Prestil (from CU Difference) and Lisa Koenecke (a Certified Diversity Equity Inclusion Speaker).

Some recommendations you’ll want to check out:

The Human Rights Campaign (To find the Corporate Equality Index and the Municipal Equality Index and tons of other great resources)

The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Get Lisa's book Be an Inclusion Ally:ABCs of LGBTQ+ at your local bookstore (or from Amazon if you have to).

Support the Climb Africa project (especially Angela and Lisa and Katy Zaleski).

CU PRIDE (The LGBTQ Association for Credit Unions)

For a free, easy-to-use squirrel stalking, check out the Alfred Camera App.

From yoga enthusiast to traveling teacher, to full-time business owner Stacy takes us through her journey to bring health, love, and community into the Marshfield area through yoga practice.

As a mom of five boys with a husband also running his own business, Stacy can tell us a lot about following your passions and carving out moments of relaxation and healing in a busy life.

Once you're done hearing Stacy's Story, check out these other awesome things:

Life Kit by NPR

The Kitchen Table (or the closest local eatery to you...)

The G Word with Adam Conover on Netflix

Ben and Sue are tackling some of the mysteries of ideation, talking about their process, and bringing a little science along to make it all make sense.

Check out some of the places we found good ideas:

Adam Grant: The surprising habits of original thinkers

Find a Little Free Library here

Rich, our VP of IT, joins Ben and Sue for an enlightening conversation about keeping your data secure and keeping the bad guys out of your business.

For more info on what you can do to protect yourself and your organization check out our blog post here.

How about some great resources to help people?

Home Delivered Meals in Marshfield

Meals on Wheels in Stevens Point

Meals on Wheels in Neenah-Menasha

Support Humanitarian efforts in Ukraine through Rotary International

Vet where your charitable donations go with charitynavigator.org

Whether you're a credit union professional or want to learn about how thousands of diverse credit union people are working together to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the movement, this episode is a great place to start.

When you're done listening, check out more from these organizations:

The African American Credit Union Coalition

The National Association of Latino Credit Union Professionals

Inclusiv

In your free time, check out these recommendations too:

Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice

Olympic Mixed Team Aerials

Offline with Jon Favreau

In this episode, Ben and Sue take us all the way back to where it started, explain what's unique about Exclamation Services (spoilers: it's a CUSO), and highlight why it's so awesome that they get to help credit unions, small businesses, and non-profits on the regular.

The links we shared:

Ready to amp up your DEI journey? Check out these Inclusive Language Guidelines from the American Psychiatric Association.

Want to take a break and reconnect with your partner? Try one of these Date Night boxes (just in time for Valentine's Day).

If you've listened before, you know we like to end each episode by sharing something awesome for you to check out. This time it's NOTHING BUT awesome recommendations from our team and a special guest from episodes past.

Join us as we shout out some cool things you can get into while you relax over the holidays.

Here's the awesomeness, in order of appearance:

Black Oxygen Podcast - Live in Amherst, WI

Sunsets

Cosmo Sheldrake on Spotify

The Marketplace Podcast from NPR

Make Me Smart Podcast

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World (This is the Amazon link, but buy it from your local bookseller if you can.)

Colin in Black & White on Netflix

The Book of Awesome (Amazon link again, but local bookshops are cool.)

The Book of (Even More) Awesome (Have we mentioned local bookstores lately?)

How to Help The Victims of the Tornadoes (NYT Article)

Ghostbusters Afterlife