Chasing Dreams with Aimee J.

Jake Heilbrunn is a passionate speaker, lifestyle blogger and the author of "Off the Beaten Trail", an inspiring memoir about his journey leaving college and solo backpacking through Central America at 18. He is dedicated to empowering people to live a life of purpose and fulfillment. Jake has been featured in multiple large publications including Psychology Today, Thought Catalog, and The San Diego Union-Tribune. Jake’s a great guy who’s only 19 years old at the time of this conversation and Aimee is excited to see where Jake goes with such a good start. Be sure you listen to hear Jake’s inspiring story.

TWEET: Ep. 63: Jake Heilbrunn - Leaving Behind What’s Familiar and Venturing Off the Beaten Trail @Jake_Heilbrunn

Stress & anxiety in college are almost an epidemic, & nobody talks about it.

The catalyst to leading Jake Heilbrunn to eventually spend his 19th year of life backpacking through Central America was when he was diagnosed with, what he was told, was a chronic skin condition. The doctors were baffled and Jake came to believe that the cause of the condition was the stress and anxiety of college life. He believed was trying to live up to so many expectations that were coming at him from the outside, his body simply couldn’t handle it. Jake believes that the same phenomenon is experienced by other college students all the time but nobody’s willing to talk about it. On this episode of Chasing Dreams, you can hear how and why Jake is starting to talk about it and what he’s doing to help high school students prepare for the stresses of college life.

I disconnected in order to connect.

That’s what Jake Heilbrunn said about one of the reasons for his backpacking trip through Central America. He knew that he needed to do something for himself, something that was in pursuit of his own dreams instead of what everyone expected of him. Part of that was disconnecting from technology for weeks at a time. Not only did he find himself not missing it, he also discovered that he didn’t really need it as much as he thought. He disconnected with technology to reconnect with himself. You can hear Jake’s encouraging story on this episode.

TWEET: I #disconnected in order to connect @Jake_Heilbrunn

The potential we all have can’t be underestimated.

The lessons Jake Heilmann learned while backpacking through Central America are many, but one that has stuck with him powerfully and that he says to students that he speaks with at high schools around the country is that we all have incredible potential that is waiting to be accessed. Every human being has the power, the ability, the talent, the creativity to make something better, something greater of their lives. But it takes determination and courage to step out of what has become comfortably normal and take a risk for the sake of releasing that potential. Jake talks about what it’s like to experience that kind of fear and freedom, on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

How Jake made a pitch to Jack Canfield, Drew Brees, and Chris Guillebeau.

With the release of his new book, “Off The Beaten Trail,” Jake Heilbrunn is joining the ranks of many who have written and published a book. And as part of Jake’s efforts to promote and distribute the book Jake knew that an endorsement from a high profile personality would go a long way in providing the social proof he needed to make the book the success he wanted it to be. So what did he do? He started pitching people - like Jack Canfield and Drew Brees. Though neither of those ever responded, he didn’t give up until finally he got a very encouraging endorsement from Chris Guillebeau. It’s a testament to what can be done when you persist and refuse to allow discouragement to rule. Find out more about Jake’s journey from high school senior to self-published author, on this episode.

TWEET: How Jake (@Jake_Heilbrunn)made a #pitch to Jack #Canfield, Drew Brees, and Chris...

Joel Boggess is among those I credit for helping me to launch this podcast. He’s the guy people call when they’re feeling stuck, under-challenged or overwhelmed. Joel teaches people how to find productivity, meaning, and success. Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Joel earned his undergraduate degree at Texas Tech University, an MBA from Amberton University, and a Master’s in Counseling. His latest book, Finding your Voice, hit the #1 spot on Amazon for success, happiness, and in the self-esteem categories. His podcast, ReLaunch has passed the 1.5 million listen mark. Joel and his wife Pei live in the Dallas/Fort-Worth area, and have two dogs; a Golden Retriever retired therapy dog, Bubba, and a Golden rescue, Happy.

TWEET: Joel Boggess - Doing is the New #Planning, on this episode of #ChasingDreams

When you want to get started in a new endeavor, here’s what you should do.

When you’re chasing your dreams you will need help. Nobody can go it alone and nobody should go it alone. Today’s guest, Joel Boggess suggests that you look around in the network of people you already know to see if there is anyone successfully doing what you want to do. If so, reach out to them and ask them if you could get some advice on how they would get started if they were in your shoes. If you DON'T see anyone in your contacts who is successfully doing what you want to do, then you need to ask those you know if THEY know anyone who is doing what you want to do. You’ll be surprised at the number of introductions you could receive and the momentum you’ll gain from this simple approach. Find out more about how to get started chasing your dreams from Joel Boggess, on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

Be careful when you share your dreams with others - not everyone is trustworthy.

Everybody is excited about their dreams when they first come up with them - and the temptation is to go around telling everyone about the great things you’re going to do. But Joel Boggess says that you need to be careful about sharing your dreams indiscriminately. The reason is that not everyone is going to be as optimistic or excited about your dreams as you are. In fact, you will have some people - even those close to you - who are pessimistic and discouraging about your dreams. Be cautious. Don’t share your dreams with people who are going to drag you down. On this episode, Joel shares how he makes those judgments and when he does share his dreams with others, so be sure you listen.

TWEET: Be careful when you share your #dreams with others - not everyone is #trustworthy

When you launch anything of value it’s going to take significant work to get going.

When Joel Boggess decided to make the switch from radio to podcasting he produced 8 episodes that didn’t go anywhere. In order to make a success of the podcast, he had to change his mindset about what he was doing and take full responsibility for the success of the show. It wasn’t up to his listeners to share his episodes. It wasn’t up to his fans to help him get the show in front of others. It was HIS responsibility and nobody else’s. Once Joel made that mindset shift everything changed. What is YOUR dream that YOU have got to take responsibility for? What are the small but important changes you need to make in the way you get it moving in the right direction? Listen to this episode of Chasing Dreams. You’ll be inspired by the way Joel got his podcast going and will likely have some creative ideas of your own bubble to the surface as a result.

Doing is the new planning. Once you get this concept everything changes.

When Aimee asked Joel Boggess what one piece of advice he would give to people (like you) who are chasing their dreams, Joel unloaded a gold nugget. Here’s what he said: Doing is the new planning. As he went on to explain, it became clear that what he means is that with every step you take, you open the doors of opportunity that enable you...

Today’s guest is Crystal Hammond. She attended Ohio State University and graduated with a degree is in Electrical & Computer Engineering. She also is a landlord (an awesome one) and used to be a day trader. She’s a paid Zumba and INSANITY instructor, has helped people lose significant amounts of weight, and has helped others start their own blogs. She started her own blog on May 16, 2011 - lost everything twice - and restarted again both times. She loves to travel and has been to 17 countries/islands. She’s currently working to build a food box subscription company (she sees it as an experiment) and runs the Grocery Game Challenge. She sees herself as the side hustle queen. Be sure to take some time to get to know Crystal on this episode. Her aggressive “can do” attitude is contagious.

TWEET: Ep. 61: Crystal Hammond - Being a #SideHustle Queen Requires Resilience

She uses pen and paper to keep her life organized and effective.

In the digital age we live in, it’s not very common to hear of someone who’s still using a traditional day planner to organize and get things done. But Aimee’s guest today, Crystal Hammond is one of those people - and she does it far beyond what most people using digital means are willing to do. Crystal not only plans using her planner, she journals, and keeps track of her accomplishments each day - even the conversations she has and the people she meets. And she believes the level of detail she records about her life is what enables her to do so many things and keep herself sane at the same time. Even if you have no interest in keeping a pen and paper record of your life, you can learn a ton from Crystal about organization and processes, so be sure you listen to this episode.

Discovering what you love is more a process than an event.

When Aimee J. asked Crystal Hammond how she went about discovering what she loved, Crystal said it wasn’t so much a discovery as it was a process of exploration. She has tried and done so many things in her lifetime, many of them very successfully, and it’s those efforts and trials that have led her down the path to finding things that truly resonate with her gifts, talents, and desires. You can hear Crystal’s journey toward discovery of her desires and loves on this episode of the Chasing Dreams podcast.

TWEET: Discovering what you love is more a process than an event. Find out more on this episode

Her mistakes are exactly why she shares her story with others.

Crystal Hammond is not your average blogger. She tells everything about her experiences - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Most bloggers aren’t willing to be so vulnerable but Crystal believes that her mistakes are the exact things others need to know about so that they don’t get discouraged and give up. There’s something encouraging about knowing that you’re not the only one experiencing the things you are. There’s something helpful about learning from the mistakes of others, shared humbly and with a heart to help. That’s the kind of mentor and blogger Crystal tries to be. If you take the time to listen to Crystal’s story you’ll walk away with a bigger perspective on your own failures and lessons learned.

Never underestimate the power of a plan.

Crystal Hammond is a meticulously organized person so you'd expect her to say that planning is essential to a successful and productive life. But her approach is not to tell you exactly how you should do the organizing but that you should look to the benefits that come from being organized and then decide on a plan that fits you and your lifestyle. Crystal is convinced that everyone who is willing to take the time to discover and utilize a planning system for their life and projects will see their productivity and success increase exponentially.

TWEET: Never underestimate the power of a plan - on this episode of #ChasingDreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:49]...

As a former family law attorney, Erik describes himself as someone who’s “been through a thousand divorces and still believes in love.” Ushering couples through divorce wasn’t easy for Erik, a romantic from birth, but it turned out to be the ideal medium through which to understand the entire life cycle of a relationship. As a result, Erik has a unique, real-world comprehension of what makes one marriage thrive and another fall apart. Ultimately, his calling to help couples build healthy relationships superseded his legal career, and he decided to dedicate himself full-time to creating a place couples could go for information, inspiration, and a big dose of truth. That’s when Together was born.

TWEET: Erik Newton - Being the Happiest You’ve Ever Been After Climbing Back from Rock Bottom Twice

He didn’t want to be a lawyer even though he went to law school.

It’s interesting to hear how Erik Newton got started in law school. Honestly, it seemed like a cool thing to do, something prestigious that he thought would be fun. But it didn’t take long for him to discover that law was not what he wanted to do. But he went on with it anyway. It’s a strange part of the journey Erik has been on that has led him to the point he’s at today, recording the stories of couples who are happily together even though in his own past he was part of helping couple dissolve their relationships as a divorce attorney. You can hear Erik’s story on this episode.

His lowest point led him to start something new.

There came a point in Erik’s legal career as a family law attorney when things bottomed out. His practice failed. He lost his income, apartment, and other possessions. He moved back in with his mother. He spiraled into depression. It was at that lowest point in his life when he realized that he needed to come to grips with the pain and disappointment of the failure, to go as deeply into it as he could. When he came out of it one morning, everything was alright. That’s when he began moving toward his current work with the Together podcast and magazine. It’s hard to describe this time in his life clearly in a paragraph so be sure you listen to hear it from Erik’s own lips.

TWEET: His #LowestPoint led him to start something new. Find out how on this episode

Recording the pilot of a yet to be purchased radio show.

One of the fortuitous happenings in Erik Newton’s journey is that he approached a couple about being interviewed for his podcast and they refused. But the man was curious about what he was doing, listened to a couple of episodes, and loved what the show was about. He texted Erik and asked to go to coffee where he pitched the idea of a radio show he’d been wanting to produce for a long time (he was a radio producer). So now Erik is about to record the first episode of a new radio show that will be pitched to radio stations around the country. It’s a strange outcome of an up and down life and you can hear the entire story on this episode.

You are not really all that important.

When Aimee asked her guest today, Erik Newton, what advice he has for those who are chasing their dreams, he said something unexpected. “You are just not that important.” He says that when he finally came to grips with the fact that in the entire, big universe he’s just a speck, somehow the pressure to be and do so much with his life lessened and he was able to be at peace with what comes each day. That includes what he’s able to accomplish, no matter how much or little it may seem to him. You can hear how he came to this perspective on this episode.

TWEET: You are not really all that important. Strange advice for #DreamChasers, on this episode

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:50] Aimee’s introduction to her guest, Erik Newton.
• [2:07] Erik’s perspective on seeing so many divorces yet believing in love.
• [3:26] Why Erik didn’t believe he was...

Cornell Thomas’ father was a police officer in the city of Passaic, New Jersey. Officer Bobby Thomas passed away when Cornell was only four years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his four siblings by herself. The strength and positive mindset that Cornell’s mom displayed through his childhood helped mold him into the man he is today. Cornell is a speaker, author, basketball coach, and world changer. He is a living example of how a positive mindset can transform your life. Cornell’s “next play” mentality is what helped him triumph over adversity and turn the pain of a career-ending injury into finding his purpose in life. Cornell is the author of two books (The Power Of Positivity and The Power Of Me) with two more books coming out this fall. Cornell travels all over the world sharing his story and inspiring others.

TWEET: Ep. 59: Cornell Thomas - Turning Your “Why Me” into “What Now”

He was raised to believe that everything happens for a reason.

Everybody has a past. Everyone has a particular way they were raised. Some of us have more advantageous pieces of our histories than others. But ALL of us can take advantage of the wisdom that’s out there, the lesson we can learn from our lives AND the lives of others. Cornell Thomas' mother drummed into his head the idea that everything happens for a reason. That was the root of his positivity about life and why he believes that anyone can accomplish anything they desire if they are willing to put in the work and never give up. You can hear Cornell’s story and learn about what he’s doing to change the world through his own brand of positivity, on this episode.

Why you can’t allow your “why” to die.

Much of the success today’s guest, Cornell Thomas has achieved has to do with the reasons behind his efforts. He believes that his “why” (taking care of his mother and making a difference in the lives of others) is what has fueled him over the long haul. If your “why” is not strong enough you will give up. Cornell is an example of what happens when you don’t allow your “why” to die. Please take the time to listen to this inspiring and motivating episode of Chasing Dreams with Aimee J. Cornell Thomas’ attitude and story could light the fire under you that you’ve been needing for a long time.

TWEET: Why you can’t allow your #why to die ~ on this episode of #ChasingDreams

“Why me” is never helpful. “What now” can change your life.

When Cornell Thomas experienced a career-ending injury (he was just about to become a professional basketball player) he was tempted - like all of us - to mope around and focus on the “why me” of his circumstances. But he discovered rather quickly that “why me” never helps you move to where you need to be. Instead, he was able to shift his mindset from ‘why me” to “what now,” and the doors that opened for him were an amazing blessing that he wouldn’t have been able to see with any other mindset. You can learn a lot from Cornell’s experience, so grab a pen and paper to take some notes and listen to this episode.

Stop negativity when it’s a snowball. Don’t wait until it’s an avalanche.

Cornell Thomas believes that most definitions of positivity nowadays are flat out wrong. The kind of positivity that makes a difference isn’t a feel-good, pollyanna attitude that denies the harsh realities of life. Instead, it’s a belief that negativity is an enemy that has to be killed early in its life cycle. In his words, negativity is like a snowball that picks up speed and eventually becomes an avalanche. If you wait to address it until it’s an avalanche, you’ll never survive. You’ve got to stop it while it’s still a little snowball. If you need to learn how to do that you’ve got to hear this episode. Cornell’s approach is not only helpful, it’s very effective.

TWEET: Stop negativity when it’s a snowball. Don’t wait until it’s an avalanche ~ on this episode

OUTLINE OF THIS...

Luvvie Ajayi is an award-winning writer, digital strategist and speaker who thrives at the intersection of comedy, technology and activism. A 13-year blogging veteran, she covers all things pop culture on her blog AwesomelyLuvvie.com. Her first book I’M JUDGING YOU: The Do Better Manual will be released in September 2016, and is now available for pre-order. Luvvie is also the Executive Director of The Red Pump Project, a national nonprofit that raises awareness about the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls, using red shoes as a symbol of empowerment. She’s also an avid traveler and her love language is shoes.

TWEET: Ep. 58: Luvvie Ajayi - Putting in the Work Leads to Living Her #Dreams

Everyone should have boundaries.

As Luvvie Ajayi has experienced more and more success she’s found more and more opportunities. It can be difficult to know what to say “no” to and what is OK to take on. On this episode, Luvvie tells how she keeps the boundaries that she’s set for herself and why she believes it is vital for everyone to set boundaries. This is wonderful advice from a woman who’s living it right now, so be sure you take the time to listen to what she’s got to say.

I’m judging you: the do better manual.

One of the reasons Luvvie Ajayi decided to write her book, “I’m Judging You: The Do Better Manual” is because she continued to see and experience things that were simply wrong but nobody was willing to talk about them. In class Luvvie style, she’s talking about them. In the book, you’ll hear her classic wit and penetrating insights addressing issues like splitting the check at dinner and much more. You’ll love hearing how Luvvie describes the process of writing the book and getting it into audio format, and the impact she hopes the book will have. It’s all on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

TWEET: Luvvie Ajayi, author of “I’m #Judging You: The Do Better Manual” on this episode

How does Luvvie Ajayi adjust to the fame she’s experiencing?

The success that Luvvie Ajayi has experienced is nothing short of amazing. She’s been a guest at the White House, on the Oprah Winfrey show, and many others. Her newfound fame is something that could throw many people off their game but Luvvie has appeared to stay very balanced and down to earth in spite of it. On this episode, Aimee asks about the fame and how she’s handled it and Luvvie very honestly shares both the difficulty and the challenge of keeping herself grounded. You will learn a lot from her response so be sure you listen.

Luvvie Ajayi’s advice to those who are chasing their dreams.

Everyone who is pursuing their dreams will feel the resistance that comes from going after something challenging. They may even feel or hear opposition from people around them - even people they thought were their biggest fans. On this episode, Luvvie Ajayi shares what it’s like to go for your dreams in the midst of criticism and resistance and has advice for those who are trying to make their dreams come to life. It’s common sense advice that will help you move forward when everything seems to be against you.

TWEET: Luvvie Ajayi’s advice to those who are chasing their #dreams, on this episode

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:47] Aimee’s introduction of Luvvie Ajayi.
• [2:00] What Luvvie pictured herself doing when she was younger and how she moved in the direction she has.
• [3:14] How Luvvie built the social media following she has (it was a long journey).
• [6:44] What is the Red Pump Project and how did it come about?
• [11:01] How Luvvie started her posts about “Scandal” and “Game of Thrones.”
• [14:39] How Luvvie decides the direction she wants to go.
• [17:29] The things Luvvie holds back...

Vidya Vox is singer/songwriter with her music videos on YouTube. Born in Chennai and raised in Virginia, Vidya learned Carnatic classical music from a young age. She earned her Psychology degree at George Washington University. During that time she started posting Bollywood + Western pop mashups on her YouTube channel, which grew in popularity and a number of videos have over 2 million hits. Vidya has performed at a number of amazing places including the White House. Today, she continues to make mashups but is also working on her own solo EP of original music.

TWEET: Ep. 57: Vidya Vox - East-West Mashups on YouTube Mark the Beginning of #DreamsComeTrue

Before music was her thing, what did Vidya think would be her thing?

With the success that Vidya Vox has experienced from her Youtube channel alone, it’s surprising to think that she began with a different dream in mind. Her first direction was not music, but medicine. She was working toward becoming a doctor until she got started then realized in a fairly short amount of time that music was a much deeper desire than she’d realized. The transition she had to make to be true to her dreams was significant and it didn’t come without some questioning from her family and friends. You can hear how Vidya made the transition and what she’s learned from it on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

Making a change to pursue your dreams can be hard for family.

When Vidya Vox decided that instead of pursuing her long-planned career in medicine she was going to pursue music instead, her family didn’t understand right away. She noticed that though they were supportive, they also had a “wait and see” attitude toward her music. But as she’s shown herself to be diligent and has persevered to create some amazing music videos that have been very successful on Youtube, her family has come around. If you’re interested in hearing how she dealt with her family’s resistance to her dreams, you should listen to this great conversation.

TWEET: Making a change to pursue your #dreams can be hard for family

Everything falls into place if you focus on the art.

For any creative who works to create something great, it’s hard to keep your eyes focused on the true art of what you’re doing. Things like success, feedback, resistance - all of them come into play at times and can mess up your mind. Vidya Vox says that what she’s discovered is that when she is able to refocus on the art of what she’s doing and stay in that place of focus, she’s able to create music that is more impactful and all those other things she was concerned about have a way of taking care of themselves. You can hear Vidya’s inspiring story on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

There is no shortcut to hard work when chasing your dreams.

OK, so you have a dream. So what? The world (and other people) are not going to lay out the red carpet that leads to the accomplishment of your dream. You’re going to have to work for it - and it will be hard work. Vidya Vox says that there is no shortcut to hard work. In fact, the work you put into the accomplishment of your dreams is part of what shapes them - because it shapes you in the process. You can hear how Vidya has applied the principle of hard work to the pursuit of her musical dreams on this episode of the podcast.

TWEET: There is no shortcut to hard work when chasing your #dreams

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:59] Aimee’s introduction to Vidya Vox.
• [3:03] Why Vidya has moved to Los Angeles.
• [3:50] The most interesting place Vidya has performed.
• [6:44] How Vidya learned classical music and how it has morphed into her current ventures.
• [10:25] What Vidya thought she’d be doing before music became her thing.
• [11:18] The transition from med school to music - and how her family responded.
• [14:28] What would Vidya have done if her support system would have rejected her...

Stephen A. Hart is the founder and host of Trailblazers.FM, a business podcast that explores and highlights the stories of successful black professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. The podcast is a weekly broadcast that has been downloaded by audiences in over 55 countries globally. Stephen is a highly sought after marketing professional with extensive experience in executing web and digital media, social media, event planning and print-based marketing strategies. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he moved to the US when he was 16 and later attended the University of South Florida, Tampa, where he attained a B.A. in Business Management. Stephen was selected to the 2016 class of the Black Enterprise 100 Modern Men of Distinction and had the Trailblazers.FM podcast featured on the home page of iTunes Podcasts for Black Voices in Business. Stephen’s passion is to teach other aspiring entrepreneurs how to build, market and grow their own highly sought-after business.

TWEET: Ep. 56: Stephen A. Hart - Providing Actionable Steps to Pursuing Your #Dreams

No reason to push ahead except for the belief that there is more

Everybody has the struggle to stay motivated. Discouragement comes along in a variety of forms. Physical stamina waxes and wanes. Staying the course becomes difficult. Stephen A. Hart says that one of the primary things that keep him moving forward is the belief that there is more ahead for him than what he’s experiencing now. One of his core beliefs is that the gifts and abilities he’s been given are always in a state of growth - and growth means that what’s happening now is not all there is. On this episode, you’re going to be inspired by what Stephen shares about his pursuit of something more.

Why you have to cut out the fluff if you’re going to reach your dream

Stephen A. Hart does so many things - a full-time job, a handful of side hustles, a very popular and growing podcast - and he still has the time and presence of mind to build quality relationships with his family. He says that the only way he’s able to get it all done is by cutting out the fluff that he’s tempted to allow into his life. That means he hardly watches T.V. anymore. Instead, he redeems those hours to the service of his dreams and goals. And he makes sure that he stays organized to enable himself to identify the fluff things that will rob him of valuable time he could be leveraging toward greater things. On this episode you’re going to hear Stephen describe some of his productivity and time management systems in detail, so make sure you listen.

TWEET: Why you have to cut out the fluff if you’re going to reach your #dream

Success is defined by the progressive realization of the goals I’ve set

We’ve all got our individual ideas of what it means to be successful. For some, it’s about revenue. For others, it’s about connections and the attainment of different roles or achievements within their particular niche or industry. Stephen A. Hart says that he defines success by the progressive realization of the goals he’s set - which means that setting goals is vital to his success. On this episode of Chasing Dreams you’re going to hear how Stephen sets goals for himself and more importantly how he systematically plans and works toward their completion. What he shares is the backbone of his success and you are certain to find something helpful that you can utilize to move you toward success in your own goals.

My goal is to tell about the everyday professionals who are doing exceptional work

When Stephen A. Hart began thinking about what he wanted to bring to the world through podcasting he realized that most of what he was hearing in the media were the negative stories that highlight the tensions that exist between people. But he knew that there was more happening in the world than that. His desire quickly grew for presenting stories of people who are doing exceptional work in the...

Joel Sharpton fell backward into the radio business and found the perfect platform for his unstoppable motor-mouth. Joel is the host of What Makes Me Weird? and Co-host of Always Listening: Podcast Reviews from Josh and Joel. A voiceover artist, audio editor, audiobook narrator, happy father of four and lucky husband to one, you can find his blog, his podcasts and more at JoelSharpton.com.

TWEET: Ep. 55: Joel Sharpton - Networking Helped Open Up Doors For Me

Joel Sharpton kept working at it in order to become good at it.

By trying a lot of things Joel Sharpton discovered that he wasn’t necessarily good at anything in particular but that he could get better at things by trying them. When Joel first stepped into the realm of radio Joel didn’t believe he had a great voice for radio but he got better and better the more he did it. On this episode of Chasing Dreams, you’re going to hear Joel describe how that process worked in his life and how you can build your skills and find your genius as you go along.

How podcasting became a thing for Joel.

Joel Sharpton is one of those guys that most of us think we have to be in order to get into podcasting. He had a background in radio so it seemed like a natural fit - and it was. But Joel is the first to tell you that a love for podcasts (not audio or radio) is what got him to create his own podcast. The more he listened the more he realized that he had something to say and that podcasting was the medium he could use to do it. Joel has lots of great advice for those who are considering podcasting so be sure you listen if you’ve even been thinking about trying out podcasting.

TWEET: How podcasting became a thing for Joel Sharpton, on this episode

“You’re not worried about bothering him, you’re worried about bothering you.”

When Joel attended Podcast Movement 2015 he saw someone he had met on social media a few times across the room. His wife encouraged him to introduce himself and say a simple, “Hello.” But Joel’s excuse for not doing it was, “I don’t want to bother him.” That’s when his wife blew up his life and perspective by saying, “You’re not worried about bothering him, you’re worried about bothering you.” It was a push toward discomfort that was really uncomfortable for Joel but opened the door to possibilities that he was keeping himself from. On this episode you’re going to hear the story and how that simple phrase, said by someone who cared about him, changed the way Joel sees networking and connections, forever.

Open the doors and allow yourself to meet the opportunities.

Too many times the doors of opportunity are closed to us because we don’t even try to open them. That’s what Joel Sharpton was doing to himself by not introducing himself to people he’d already connected with via social media. He learned that taking a step into the unknown (and what could seem risky) is the only way to find out if an opportunity is lurking on the other side of the door. From a few simple and temporarily scary introductions Joel has been able to build an incredible network of people in the podcasting space and many of those connections have turned into lifelong friendships to boot. You can hear how Joel made the most of his own discomfort, on this episode of Chasing Dreams.

TWEET: Open the doors and allow yourself to meet the opportunities.

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:50] Aimee’s introduction to her guest, Joel Sharpton
• [1:46] How Joel got into radio in the first place.
• [4:33] How Joel kept working at it to become good at it.
• [8:07] Discovering ACX and began doing voice work for audio books.
• [16:22] How Joel and his podcasting partner got into podcasting about new podcasts.
• [27:40] What Joel discovered from attending Podcast Movement (not from the sessions).
• [32:33] Opportunities that came from...

RJ Hodges is a professional speaker, certified personal mastery life coach, certified practitioner in the healing art of Reiki, and the creator of a coaching system known as L.I.F.E (Living in Full Existence) Education. He is a bestselling co-author of the book, Mission Unstoppable partnering with world-renowned leaders George Fraser and Les Brown. RJ is also the author of You Can’t Practice At The Game, The Art of Mastering You Volume One, and an audio book series called Winner Status. RJ is the founder and president of empowerment companies BORN II WIN and RJ Hodges Speaks, LLC.

TWEET: Figuring Out What You Want and What to Do Next, with RJ Hodges on this episode

It was a business opportunity that opened him up to helping other people.

RJ Hodges was not your typical 19 year old kid. He stepped out of highschool and immediately got busy working in a network marketing business. His dream was not necessarily to build a huge multi-level business - but simply to build something out of his life. It was that business opportunity that opened him up to the idea that his real job was to help people and he soon discovered that there are thousands of ways to do that. On this episode you’re going to hear the path RJ chose and how it’s led him to some amazing opportunities.

“I was born a giant and somewhere along the line became less than I was.”

One of the powerful things RJ Hodges teaches his coaching clients and those he speaks to is that every one of us is born a giant with great things to do in the world. But somewhere along the way we get taught that we are less than that, that we can’t do certain things, that we are less capable than we really are. And we believe it. RJ loves to see the lights go on for people who begin to believe again in the giant within. His goal is to help people be free of those kinds of limiting beliefs and on this episode Aimee and RJ chat far and wide around that subject to help you unpack and think through what might be limiting you.

TWEET: I was born a giant and somewhere along the line became less than I was ~ RJ Hodges

You need to think of the concept of “target audience” differently.

On this episode of Chasing Dreams Aimee and RJ begin talking about the idea of a “target audience” as entrepreneurs. Neither of them really care for the term because it feels limiting. But RJ has come to see that the target audience really has more to do with who HE is rather than who is ideal clients are. He’s finding that when people resonate with him they tend to be aligned perfectly with what he’s got to offer. So instead of focusing on a target audience, he focuses on being a better version of himself, with no apologies. You can hear more about this new way of thinking of a “target audience” on this episode.

Magic happens when you become the thing you want to be.

When RJ Hodges talks about “becoming the thing you want to be,” he means becoming focused on it deep within. He believes that the more you get focused on what you want and begin to remove the things that are not in alignment with who you want to be, you begin to resonate with those things and become that person. That’s when you stop chasing your dreams and your dreams begin chasing you. You can hear the inspirational way RJ communicates these concepts on this episode, so be sure you take the time to listen.

TWEET: Magic happens when you become the thing you want to be ~ RJ Hodges

OUTLINE OF THIS EPISODE:

• [0:48] Aimee’s introduction to her guest today, RJ Hodges.
• [2:13] What is Reiki and why RJ uses it as a tool in his coaching practice.
• [3:34] How RJ started in network marketing at age 18 and moved into the entrepreneurial world.
• [6:11] The tension between stability and dream chasing and the direction RJ went.
• [9:51] The common struggles people have when pursuing their dreams.
• [15:10] The garbage we learn growing up that...