Episode 23: Getting Lego Serious

Van Lai-Dumone, CEO of worksmart Advantage, talks unlocking creativity in the workplace.

Why is creativity a crucial skill in today's workforce, and how can it be harnessed for professional development? In this episode of the Career Adventurer Podcast, host Paul Fisher welcomes Van Lai-Dumone, founder and CEO of worksmart Advantage. Van's diverse background spans roles from a daily method bar practitioner to leading sales at GlaxoSmithKline. She is a certified Lego Serious Play practitioner, bringing a unique blend of creativity and team development into the corporate environment.

With a background as a Vietnamese refugee, Van offers a unique perspective on courage and taking the leap to pursue one's passions. She discusses her journey into entrepreneurship, driven by her passion for creativity, while navigating various obstacles. She highlights her transition from corporate roles to founding her own company, focusing on integrating creativity into leadership and team development programs.

One compelling aspect is her work with The Honor Foundation, using creative methodologies like Lego Serious Play to assist special forces operators transitioning to civilian careers. Major themes in this episode include the role of creativity in problem-solving, the importance of taking creative risks, and the power of following one’s passion despite societal expectations.

00:35 - Meet Van Lai-Dumone: Founder and CEO of Work Smart Advantage

01:19 - The Journey of Work Smart Advantage

02:43 - The Importance of Creativity in the Workplace

03:55 - Tools and Techniques for Creative Problem Solving

05:06 - The Power of Lego Serious Play

06:26 - Personal Reflections on Creativity and Career

15:39 - Overcoming Challenges and Rejections

20:46 - Overcoming the Fear of Asking for Help

22:03 - The Journey of Opening a Bar Studio

23:22 - Lessons from Business Failures

24:37 - Challenges in Selling Yourself

28:06 - The Power of Experience in Business

31:03 - Working with The Honor Foundation

35:11 - Reflecting on the Journey

Aging Strong: Hugo Mendez’s Journey from Corporate to Fitness Entrepreneur

In this episode of Career Adventurer, we delve into the inspiring journey of Hugo Mendez, founder and CEO of Age Strong, a fitness training company dedicated to helping men over 40 achieve better health and longevity.

Hugo shares his transition from a corporate life at Nestle to becoming a certified kettlebell instructor and entrepreneur. He discusses building a brand from scratch, tackling imposter syndrome, and the importance of aligning business aspirations with personal values.

Hugo also reveals the origins and philosophy behind Age Strong, emphasizing the concept of proactive aging and the significance of resilience and connection in entrepreneurship.

Tune in to hear about Hugo’s personal and professional transformations, the mentors who guided him, and his vision for the future of Age Strong.

01:27 - The Birth of Age Strong

06:35 - Building a Brand and Overcoming Doubts

10:55 - Key Influences and Mentors

14:21 - Choosing Kettlebell Training

15:54 - Creating Your Courage Corner

17:42 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

18:31 - Transforming Lives Through Fitness

20:21 - Building a Brand from Scratch

22:11 - Embracing Entrepreneurship

26:39 - Navigating Career Paths and AI

30:15 - Future of Age Strong

Episode 21: Seeking Sukha

Former Hollywood Exec and Startup Founder, Steven Puri discusses finding career happiness from pain

This episode of the Career Adventure Podcast delves deep into the story of Steven Puri, the founder of Sukha, a productivity startup designed to help people reclaim their time.

Steven harnesses his extensive experience as a Hollywood executive to create innovative solutions for remote work. He shares insights on how pain and curiosity fuel meaningful pursuits and discusses how storytelling techniques enhance productivity far beyond the entertainment industry.

Moreover, Career Adventurer host, Paul Fisher and Steven cover AI's role in amplifying human potential, the importance of focusing on core tasks, and the enduring principles of effective work habits.

Don't miss this episode packed with behind-the-scenes stories, personal anecdotes, and practical wisdom.

00:31 > Meet Steven Puri: From Hollywood to Productivity Startup

01:47 > The Role of Pain and Curiosity in Career Transitions

02:51 > Steven's Journey: From Tech Startups to Sukha

04:01 > Building Sukha: A Productivity Tool with a Purpose

05:20 > The Story Behind the Name 'Sukha'

12:06 > Challenges and Feedback in Building Sukha

18:21 > Steven's Hollywood Background and Career Shift

21:39 > Hugh Jackman: The Nicest Star

22:05 > People and Products: A Universal Truth

26:30 > The Core of Storytelling

29:39 > Overcoming Productivity Challenges

35:13 > The Rewards of a Career in Film

37:34 > Coolest Movie Experience

40:46 > Final Thoughts and Future Connections

Uncage Your Bird

Nikkia Reveillac, Founder of Birds Uncaged and Sr. Insights Executive, talks about unleashing what's inside you.

In this episode of Career Adventurer, Paul Fisher interviews Nikkia Reveillac, a former senior insights executive at top companies like Netflix, Twitter, and Colgate-Palmolive.

Nikkia shares her journey from corporate success to founding Birds Uncaged, an initiative driven by her creative and entrepreneurial spirit. She discusses the importance of being a whole-brained professional in the age of AI, balancing analytical and creative skills, and making personal vows.

Nikkia also delves into her personal experiences with career changes, the role of spirituality, and the significance of being present. The conversation touches on practical insights for personal growth, professional development, and the value of aligning one's work with their true calling.

00:57 - Nikkia's Professional Journey

01:57 - Transition to Birds Uncaged

04:11 - Challenges and Reflections

07:13 - Career Shifts and Personal Growth

12:22 - Spirituality and Self-Discovery

24:57 - Discovering Inner Confidence

26:17 - Aligning Passion with Profession

29:27 - Embracing Creativity and Authenticity

34:52 - Parenting and Life Lessons

37:47 - The Importance of Presence

42:59 - Infusing Creativity into Everyday Life

Navigating the Future of Work With AI

Host Paul Fisher, along with leading Cincinnati based entrepreneurs and thinkers Bob Gilbreath, Kendra Ramirez, and Josette Riep, discuss the future of work as shaped by AI.

They draw from the latest insights from the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report. But, they go further. They bring their unique perspectives as former corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and academics to delve into how AI is reshaping job markets, the importance of embracing technology while maintaining human values, and the necessity of up-skilling across generations.

The discussion highlights the balance between leveraging AI for productivity and ensuring equitable and inclusive progress in the workforce. Plus, they offer candid coaching on how to embrace change that is applicable to those just entering the work force and seasoned workers.

00:00 Introduction to Career Adventurers

00:32 - Exploring the Future of Work Report

01:54 - Insights from Josette Riep

04:21 - Bob Gilbreath's Perspective

07:33 - Kendra Ramirez on Job Transitions

11:37 - Coaching for Future Careers

20:29 - Courage and Leadership in Business

21:10 - Investing in Talent and Early Career Experiences

23:45 - AI in the Workplace: Real-Life Examples

26:47 - Balancing AI and Human Intelligence

28:40 - Up-skilling Across Generations

30:29 - AI in Recruitment and Feedback

35:06 - Final Thoughts on AI and the Future of Work

40:10 - Conclusion and Resources

Exploring Expansive Horizons with Raul Ruiz

In this episode of Career Adventurer, host Paul Fisher engages in an insightful conversation with Raul Ruiz, a seasoned CPG Marketing Executive, about his diverse career journey.

Raul shares his experiences working on iconic brands such as Modelo Especial, Corona Extra, and Sharpie, and delves into the intricacies of marketing across different industries, including consumer durables, beverage alcohol, and culinary products. He explains the similarities and distinctions in marketing approaches and the importance of sensory experiences in consumer engagement.

Raul also reflects on his transition from a financial background to marketing, his methodology for knowing when to switch jobs, and the exciting future prospects in health, wellness, and alcohol-free beverage sectors. The discussion reveals the dynamic nature of marketing roles and provides valuable insights for anyone looking to forge their unique career path.

00:00 - Introduction to Career Adventure

01:23 - Raul's Career Journey and Current Exploration

02:22 - Insights on Marketing Across Industries

03:20 - The Dynamics of Regulated vs. Non-Regulated Categories

10:01 - The Intersection of Business and Creativity in Marketing

12:56 - Navigating Career Transitions and Personal Growth

16:17 - Understanding Different Marketing Roles

22:56 - From Finance to Marketing: Raul's Path

30:25 - Private Equity vs. Public Companies

32:19 - Conclusion and Next Steps

The Power of Pause: Sandhya Sudhakar talks Rediscovering Purpose Via Sabbatical

In this episode, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Sandhya Sudhakar, a certified coach, Enneagram practitioner, and founder of Self At Work. Host Paul Fisher uncovers how Sandhya transitioned from a successful career in sales and marketing at companies like Procter & Gamble to launching her own coaching business centered around the Enneagram framework.

Sandhya's journey towards starting her Enneagram-focused business began during a sabbatical filled with self-exploration. Initially discovering the Enneagram as a tool for personal reflection, she started facilitating workshops for fun, which organically led to the establishment of her business.

Key Themes:

1. Discovery of Enneagram: Sandhya discusses how she found the Enneagram during a period of burnout and personal challenges. Her own experiences and curiosity turned into a business after she noticed the positive impact of her Enneagram workshops on others.

2. Challenges and Growth: Balancing between corporate responsibilities and personal values, Sandhya decided to make the leap to entrepreneurship, learning to overcome challenges like marketing her new identity and shifting her business model to meet client needs.

3. Empowerment through Coaching: Sandhya emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself to maximize fulfillment and impact at work. Using the Enneagram framework, she helps teams and individuals identify their strengths and work more cohesively.

00:00 - Introduction to the Career Adventure Podcast

00:10 - Meet Sandhya Sudhakar: From Corporate to Self-Exploration

00:48 - The Enneagram Framework: A Tool for Emotional Intelligence

02:00 - Sandhya's Personal Journey with the Enneagram

03:28 - Sabbatical Stories: Discovering New Paths

06:33 - Building Self at Work: From Workshops to Business

11:56 - Challenges and Insights in Entrepreneurship

13:22 - The Importance of Purpose and Fulfillment in Work

18:56 - Career Reflections and Advice

28:57 - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

Embrace Your Freak

Could weaknesses actually be strengths in disguise? Yes! Paul Fisher, Host and Podcast founder, discusses this idea with David Rendall, a keynote speaker and author of The Freak Factor, in this episode of the Career Adventurer Podcast.

We explore the dynamic career journey of David Rendall, a certified speaking professional who has delivered keynote speeches globally over the past 15 years. Initially working in non-profits in Wisconsin, David made his way into public speaking through community involvement and serendipitous opportunities.

Specializing in leveraging personal weaknesses as strengths, his Freak Factor concept has become a pivotal part of his speeches, advocating for the alignment of one's innate qualities with career paths.

We discuss themes such as self-awareness, the intersection of life experiences and career development, and practical approaches to exploring new career opportunities without taking significant risks.

- 00:00 - Introduction to the Career Adventure Podcast

- 00:49 - David Rendell's Journey to Public Speaking

- 01:20 - From Nonprofit Work to Speaking Engagements

- 04:19 - Building a Speaking Career

- 11:12 - The Freak Factor Philosophy

- 22:29 - Exploring Creative Pathways

- 23:32 - Finding Your Freak Factor Without Quitting Your Job

- 25:02 - Testing New Career Paths

- 28:51 - Self-Awareness and Psychology in Career Development

- 34:05 - The Realities of Being a Speaker

- 38:17 - Learning from Career Failures

Growing Through Grit: Insights on Career Wellbeing

Katie O'Malley, Founder of Encourage Coaching has grit. She's navigated a variety of spaces from the political realm to real estate to higher education and now, to coaching. In this episode of the Career Adventurer Podcast, Katie shares her insights as a career coach and workplace strategist with over 15 years of experience.

Through Encourage Coaching, Katie offers leadership and career coaching with a mission to provide accessible coaching services. She shares her transition from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, insights into career and leadership coaching, and her personal journey of overcoming mental health challenges.

Katie also discusses her current work on merging Encourage Coaching with the Collective Academy to expand their services.

00:00 - Introduction to the Career Adventurer Podcast, Meet Katie O'Malley: Career Coach and Workplace Strategist

01:10 - Founding Encourage Coaching

03:22 - Navigating the Pandemic and Business Growth

04:51 - Merging with the Collective Academy

06:35 - Understanding Career vs. Leadership Coaching

15:51 - Katie's Personal Journey and Mental Health

24:12 - Making Career Decisions and Taking Risks

32:34 - Reflecting on Career Impact and Future Connections

A Happy Wanderer: Navigating the Unknown

In this episode of the Career Adventure Podcast, host Paul Fisher interviews Max Dworin, VP at Cintrifuse Capital. Max's multifaceted career includes roles in startups, corporate sectors, economic development, politics, and venture capital.

They discuss Max's philosophy on nonlinear career paths, the significance of keeping options open early in one's career, and the concept of 'happy wanderers' who thrive on varied experiences.

Max shares insights on the dual mission of Cintrifuse Capital, which aims to drive financial returns while fostering local economic development in Cincinnati. He also reflects on his journey from founding a tequila seltzer startup to becoming a venture investor, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, networking, and having a give-first mentality.

This episode is filled with valuable career advice, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into the Startup Cincy ecosystem and venture capital.

00:00 - Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:25 - Max Dworin's Diverse Career Journey

02:55 - Cintrifuse Capital's Mission and Strategy

06:36 - Max's Entrepreneurial Ventures

13:17 - Lessons from Politics and Storytelling

21:01 - Career Advice and Reflections

35:33 - The Concept of 'Happy Wanderers'

37:52 - Conclusion and Farewell