
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


"Systems and strategies help you raise your vim, vigor and passion for what you do."
David Lindsay, a dedicated athlete and former fighter, discovered the importance of vitality to improve his energy levels throughout his sports career. He found that those lessons also extended to his personal and professional life. By creating routines and rituals to snap into action, working in short, intense chunks, and tapping into the power of posture and music all contribute he was able to increase vitality.
David's journey to understanding the significance of vim, vigor, and passion in everyday life has led him to develop his five-step system to help others elevate their energy and focus, resulting in improved performance in various aspects of their lives.
Take a listen to this episode to hear:
Many professionals just go through life like they are running on fumes. David uses his expertise in vitality and energy to reveal the steps to improve your energy levels. Don't miss out on the truth that could change your life, and make sure to share this episode with someone else.
Another way to improve your vitality is through a vacation. Make sure to connect with Magical Vacation Planner. They will provide the guidance that will allow you to save your energy for your trip. 407-442-0257.
Connect with David
http://www.davidlindsay.com.au/
Connect with Dan:
www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
Episode Highlights 00:02:30 - Vitality 00:05:31 - Coaching Mentality 00:08:12 - Energy and Recovery 00:11:21 - Five Steps to Improve Vitality 00:13:02 - Five Steps Towards Improved Vitality 00:14:07 - The Zingarnic Effect 00:15:33 - The Importance of Napping 00:17:03 - Tapping and Evolving 00:26:26 - Introduction to the Podcast
"Recognizing that everything related to hospitality and guest experience can just keep going up is foundational to when looking at your own guest experience and hospitality strategy."
As an 18-year-old working at Cedar Point, Josh Liebman had an encounter with a coworker that ultimately shaped the way he approached hospitality and guest experience in the attraction industry. The coworker insisted that visitors should be treated as guests, not customers. That realization not only shifted his perspective, but it has stuck with Josh throughout his career.
As he worked for world-renowned attractions like Disney and Universal, he learned the importance of exceeding expectations and providing guests with unforgettable experiences. Now, as a consultant and thought leader, Josh is committed to instilling a hospitality mindset in the industry, ensuring that every guest feels valued and leaves with a lasting impression.
During this conversation we dive into:
Make sure to listen to this episode as Josh uncovers the real significance of hospitality in elevating guest experiences and shows us how to cultivate a team mindset. The best way to start is by embracing a culture of excellence and pursue continual development within the rapidly-evolving hospitality industry. Say goodbye to ineffective training programs and hello to happy guests and glowing reviews.
And if you are looking for a top notch travel experience, make sure to connect with the agents of Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0257. They are a great example of a hospitality business providing guest service excellence.
Connect with Josh
https://www.roller.software/
http://attractionpros.com/category/podcast/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshualiebman
Connect with Dan:
www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
Episode Highlights: 00:04:11 - Mindset of Hospitality 00:08:53 - Training Employees 00:10:48 - Respect for Employees 00:12:07 - The Importance of Training Employees 00:14:12 - Improving Guest Experience 00:15:22 - Living Job Descriptions 00:17:02 - Learning from Mistakes 00:18:04 - Writing a Book
"The speed of trust is dramatically accelerated when you lead as a thought leader with something to teach rather than a company with something to sell."
Rusty Shelton, founder of Zilker Media, joins this episode to share insights on how entrepreneurs can establish personal authority and thought leadership. He shares his journey in the media industry and how he started Zilker Media to help companies build personal authority. One of the key ways he has been successful building trust with clients and employees is by prioritizing personal branding and thought leadership alongside company marketing. There is a lot of significance to creating content that focuses on impact, not ego, in order to establish competitive differentiation.
Rusty explains that in today's digital age, personality-driven communication is critical to attracting customers. It is important that businesses are creating a unique and memorable experience that resonates with the audience and communicates the brand's mission and values. One way to continue to nurture your audience and earn their trust is by building an email list and sharing valuable information regularly.
In this episode you will learn how to:
Make sure to listen to this episode to hear more about how Rusty overcame the struggle of growing his PR firm by shifting to building thought leadership for businesses. This episode is perfect for anyone that wants to learn how to build an authority advantage and be perceived as a mission-driven thought leader with something to teach, not just a company with something to sell.
Connect with Rusty:
https://rustyshelton.com/
Get the Book: The Authority Advantage
Connect with Dan:www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
Episode Highlights 00:04:31 - Building an Authority Advantage 00:09:39 - Marketing for Individuals 00:11:54 - Authenticity and Trust 00:14:13 - Impactful Content Creation 00:12:50 - The Importance of Authenticity in Branding 00:14:06 - Overdelivering is Critical 00:15:28 - Owning Your Name as a Piece of Digital Real Estate 00:17:37 - Building Trust through Authority by Association 00:25:25 - Marketing in the Age of AI 00:28:11 - The Importance of Being Memorable 00:29:25 - Nurturing Your Audience 00:30:09 - The Power of Referrals 00:35:27 - The Authority Advantage
"The one thing you can do that separates you from everyone else is talk about your life."
After years of corporate hustle and hard work, Shereen Kassam left it all behind in pursuit of a good laugh. Inspired by her parents' tireless pursuit of the American Dream, Shereen initially followed a traditional career path. She was working with renowned companies such as Deloitte, Amazon, and Disney Parks and Resorts. However, an impulsive visit to a comedy show ignited a passion that she couldn't ignore.
Despite initial resistance from her family and the pressures of being a comedian of color, Shereen discovered her authentic voice and purpose on stage. During our conversation, Shereen shares valuable insights into embracing risk, resilience, and pursuing one's passions. As we recorded she shared that she is on the brink of fulfilling her dream of making people laugh at the Orlando Fringe Festival. As excited as she is, she is transparent in her continuous work to overcome her own fears, the high expectations of her family, and the toxicity of social media.
During our conversation you will:
This episode offers an abundance of inspiration for comedians and anyone considering a professional change. Make sure to share it with anyone else that could use reminders about the value of taking risks and the healing power of laughter. Or use it as motivation for anyone seeking a more fulfilling career path.
And if you need a break from it all make sure to reach out to Magical Vacation Planner. They will help you find an escape that will undoubtedly connect you with your passions. You can call them at 407-442-0257, or use the MVP link on my website.
Connect with Shereen:
https://funnybrowngirl.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shereemkassam
Connect with Dan:www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
Episode Highlights:
00:01:11 - Shereen's Background
00:04:26 - Realizing Something was Missing
00:06:16 - Starting Out in Comedy
00:08:42 - Life as a Professional Entertainer
00:11:26 - Accepting a Career in Comedy
00:12:28 - The Orlando Fringe Festival
00:13:11 - Connecting with Shereen
00:13:46 - Pursuing What You Want
"The best thing to do is just start doing something."
When the pandemic struck, Jake Buzaid and his cousin Dale embraced their entrepreneurial spirit to create a beverage company. They wanted something that celebrates togetherness and connection the way they often do with their family. Combining their respective experiences in hospitality and retail they created Curation Beverage Company, offering a range of innovative alcoholic beverages.
Jake's expertise in crafting strong branding strategies for consumer-facing businesses has been instrumental in the success of Curation Beverage. They continue to set the company apart in a competitive market by offering a brand that resonates with consumers through powerful storytelling and emotional connections.
During this episode you will learn how to:
This is a brand that celebrates connection, so make sure to connect with Jake and follow Curation Beverage on social media for updates on new products, events, and promotions. Likewise, embrace the art of bringing people together over great food and drink. If you're in Colorado, make sure to look for Curation Beverage products at local liquor store
Thank you, Jake, for sharing how to craft a powerful and meaningful brand that resonates with your customers. Through visualization, testing, and adaptation, we can all curate a brand worth remembering.
Connect with Curation Beverage Companyhttps://www.curationbevco.com/
https://www.instagram.com/curationbevco/
https://www.facebook.com/curationbevco
Jake Buzaid https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-buzaid
Connect with Danwww.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
Episode Highlights
00:03:08 - Starting Curation Beverage
00:07:14 - Branding and Packaging
00:10:18 - Curation Beverage Products
00:12:01 - Emotional Connection with Product
00:13:09 - Marketing Strategies
00:16:34 - Tips for Starting a Company
00:17:52 - Favorite Products
"Sustainability can drive so much across your business if you truly integrate it and support it in a proper way."
Have you heard the myths that sustainability only focuses on the environmental? Or that society does not need to be considered when discussing sustainability and that governance does not matter? It can be difficult to define sustainability across these three facets, but Bridgette McAdoo is here to set the record straight and debunk these myths.
In an insightful episode of the Come Rain or Shine podcast, Dan Cockerell interviews Bridgette McAdoo, a renowned specialist in sustainability and social impact. Bridgette is the VP and Chief Sustainability Officer of Genesys Corporation, where she focuses on environmental, societal, and governance aspects of sustainability. She is a dedicated sustainability leader with an impressive background working with organizations including the World Wildlife Fund, Yum Brands, Pizza Hut, and KFC. Bridgette started her career as a contractor to NASA, working on a space shuttle and the space station. While pursuing her MBA, she discovered her passion for sustainability and its potential for making a positive impact on the world.
Some of the ways your organization can make an impact:
This conversation really highlights ways that professionals can improve their organization's commitment to sustainability. Throughout her work on sustainability projects, Bridgette has made sure to emphasize the importance of an approach that encompasses environmental, societal, and governance factors. Teamwork plays is a vital role in achieving sustainability goals. There is also something to be said about its impact on retaining employees. Bridgette does a fantastic job of laying out ways that people can drive meaningful change within their companies.
"Sustainability is a team sport, it's not just my job as the Chief Sustainability officer. It the job of every single person to get us to where we want to go."
Connect with Bridgette McAdooAbout Genesys
About Bridgette McAdoo
Linkedin - linkedin.com/Bridgette-bell-mcadoo
Connect with Dan:www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
Episode Highlights
00:06:34 – organizational sustainability should be connected across various facets of the organization, including environmental, societal, and governance perspectives.
00:12:42 - sustainability is a team effort and a holistic approach to driving change in a responsible and sustainable way.
00:13:27 - efficiency and partnership in achieving sustainability. For example, her company has obtained lead certification for two main offices, partnered with AWS for renewable energy, and focused on upcycling and recycling assets. Volunteerism and education are also key components.
00:15:00 - sustainability issues are interconnected, including diversity, equity, supplier procurement, and compliance initiatives. By looking at them holistically, businesses can add more value to their operations.
00:17:24 - the CEO needs to be a big advocate of sustainability, but the CFO and finance team also play a huge role. It's important to get leadership involved early and set clear expectations, including financial disclosures for sustainability initiatives.
00:19:43 - regulations around sustainable reporting are coming down the pipeline and businesses need to be prepared. Transparency and financial disclosures will be key, and finance and sustainability need to work closely together.
00:25:18 – there is a need for a business case for sustainability initiatives, as they can impact financials, client relationships, employee retention, and values. Companies need to match the values of their employees and customers to remain competitive in the market.
00:27:16 - sustainability helps to avoid or improve qualitative and reputational risk, which is just as important as financial benefits. Millennials and Gen Z value a company's reputation and sustainability commitments when considering employment.
00:32:42 - sustainability is about telling the same story ten different ways, tailored to the audience's needs. Bridget emphasizes the importance of making people feel like they can be a part of the change and not overwhelmed by the urgency of the situation.
"Learning by failure tends to leave scars, where learning by epiphany is about stars."
Skip Bowman is working to debunk the myths and share his model for great leadership through growth mindset and psychological safety. Understanding what drives growth and what prevents growth are both essential in developing great teams and organizations.
A growth mindset encourages individual members to continuously expand their potential while embracing challenges and learning from mistakes. Psychological safety, on the other hand, serves as a supportive platform that enables individuals to openly share ideas and take risks without fearing negative consequences. When applied together, these concepts can significantly improve team collaboration and overall performance.
During our conversation, Skip emphasizes that growth mindset and psychological safety complement each other in creating effective and successful teams. He points out that these concepts should be an integral part of an organization's culture, allowing team members to fully explore their potential and achieve greater heights collaboratively.
In this episode, we also talk about why it is important to:
Embrace the power of growth mindset and psychological safety for remarkable teamwork dynamics
Hone your emotional intelligence to improve cross-cultural interactions in diverse workspaces
Unlock your self-awareness and obtain tailored strategies for impressive leadership performance
Capitalize on human-centric approaches to excel amid societal and tech-driven transformations
Don't spend any more time feeling frustrated and overwhelmed by the lack of progress being made towards improved team collaboration. Take a listen to this conversation with Skip to hear more on his Safe2Great model based on psychological safety and growth mindset.
"If we don't create that safety and create that connection, we can't create anything great."
Episode Highlights:
00:02:21- Skip learned the importance of creating safety in unusual circumstances while working as a diving instructor. He explains how this experience led him to study organizational psychology and focus on topics such as psychological safety and growth mindset. 00:08:16 - Psychological safety and growth mindset are linked and necessary for team success. Psychological safety creates the foundation for teamwork and collaboration, while growth mindset enables teams to reach their full potential. 00:09:44 – Don't underestimate the importance of relational potential in creating a great team. Teams should focus on creating connections and relationships between team members, rather than just individual potential. 00:11:50 – There is both the bright and dark sides of leadership. Many organizations default to unsafe and ordinary practices. 00:15:02 - Emotional involvement is essential in high-performing teams and innovation. Without emotional involvement, communication can become very simplistic and lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications. 00:19:19 – There are challenges of communicating across cultures, particularly when it comes to language barriers and accents. Using technology, such as auto-captioning systems, and being aware of different cultural patterns and norms can help. 00:24:16 - Be aware of language and cultural differences, open to learning from each other, and the value of using technology to help bridge communication gaps. 00:25:20 - Find out who you really are as a leader, rather than who you think you are. Most leaders lack self-awareness, which makes it hard for them to receive and implement advice. 00:28:11 – There are three types of leaders: hippos, snails, and clams. The key is to figure out where you are as a leader, and then adopt the right behaviors to become a better version of yourself. 00:30:29 - Assessments can help leaders gain a better understanding of themselves, such as Myers-Briggs, Gallup, and DISC. The assessments aren't perfect, but they can be a helpful starting point for self-improvement. 00:33:40 – Skip's new book, Safe2Great, and the diagnostics help map mindset across organizations, teams, and individual leaders.
00:36:52 - It is important to choose how to respond to change, rather than being a victim of it. There is discomfort that comes along with change, so take a step back and think about how to adjust to new circumstances.
Connect with Skip
https://www.skip-bowman.com/
Connect with Dan:
www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
"Believing in your team members and treating them as professionals increases their productivity, engagement, and satisfaction."
Scott Whiteford is a passionate sociologist that has always been fascinated by the intricate interactions between people and their environment. His journey in studying leadership began during his time with strengths-based management organization, Talent Plus. Through his experiences, Scott gained valuable insights into team dynamics, understanding the significance of trust, communication, and accountability within a team.
While many leaders may focus on skills and experience, Scott emphasizes the importance of investing time in understanding and nurturing individual strengths. This ultimately creates a well-rounded and successful team. During our conversation he shares many of his insights and experiences around the power of strength management.
In this episode, we discuss why it is important to:
Establish unwavering trust, open communication, and resolute accountability to forge a robust team.
Construct a resilient team culture by promoting shared understanding and collaboration among members.
Optimize talent acquisition and retention by recognizing and leveraging employee strengths.
Cultivate a high-performing team through effective delegation and embracing diverse perspectives.
Realize the critical role effective leadership plays in propelling team success and fostering innovation.
If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed that all the effort you are putting into building trust, communication, and accountability within your team is not translating to high-performance results, then you are not alone. It takes hard work to understand the people on your team and their unique strengths. Just remember that an investment in them is what will set them on the path to success.
"The war for talent shouldn't be focused on the war for knowledge, skills, and experience, it should be focused on the war for talent, on the people who can deliver."
Episode Highlights:
{00:02:25}
Are leadership skills innate or learned? Scott explains why it is a combination of both nature and nurture.
{00:05:09}
Dan shares the four attributes of great leaders that he and Valorie Cockerell have identified: leading yourself first, role modeling, enthusiasm, and open-mindedness.
{00:07:54}
Scott shares his concept of the Mercedes Benz Star, where the top third represents knowledge, skills, and experience, the bottom third represents fit, and the middle third represents talent or strengths. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on strengths rather than weaknesses.
{00:12:00}
Understanding the importance of your team's strengths and how to strategically assign projects to get the best out of them.
{00:13:45}
Focusing on strengths in management is crucial to building a successful team. It allows for diversity in skills and individualized investment in each team member's development. This approach makes it easier for companies to attract and retain talent by defining a strong culture, investing in employees, and individualizing the investment for each team member.
{00:17:04}
Instead of focusing on a team member's weaknesses, leaders should focus on their strengths. Spending too much time on low performers can lead to a smaller return on investment and less investment in high performers, who have the mobility to seek other opportunities if they feel
undervalued.
{00:19:39} Invest in People, Companies often claim they don't have the resources to invest in their employees, but they're choosing not to. Investing in people means looking for employees with a natural propensity for the job and developing them from there. This approach to talent acquisition and development avoids adverse impact on age, race, gender, and LGBTQ+ status.
{00:24:49}
Treating employees like professional athletes means that leaders should know each individual's strengths and place them in the right position. With the right development, every employee can become a professional, increasing their productivity, engagement, and satisfaction in the company.
Resources
Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze
Connect with Scott
Talentplus.com
Connect with Dan:www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
"I learned that love and kindness, not just education, but loving, kindness, being kind to people can go a long way."
JJ Eubanks did not let a challenging background slow him down. He worked his way to professional basketball before making his next big play into business ownership. It has not been an easy road, but he is now happily the co-owner of Magical Vacation Planner (MVP) alongside his wife Jamie, the CEO and owner. He is an experienced entrepreneur and businessperson, having worked in the corporate world and having developed training departments in the furniture industry.
JJ had a difficult childhood, moving nine times in a year and going to five different high schools in four years. His life changed when he got a Division One scholarship to play basketball. It was during this time, he developed an appreciation for education and the power of kindness.
After college, JJ was able to use his knowledge to succeed in the corporate world, and then later as an entrepreneur. During this transition, he met Jamie, the most beautiful person he had ever seen. The couple has grown together to become successful business partners. Despite the struggles of his past, JJ has used his determination and resilience to create a successful future.
In this episode, you will learn: 1. how JJ Eubanks went from living in nine different homes in a year and struggling financially to having a successful career in Europe 2. how JJ and his wife Jamie meet, and the secret to their successful relationship 3. how JJ applies the lessons he learned in basketball to his current business ventures, and his advice for improving processes
Episode Highlights[00:01:25] JJ grew up in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents had a difficult time when he was growing up. He credits several people with putting him on the right path. He went on to play basketball in Europe, which he says is the best thing that ever happened to him
[00:08:04] When you know you're going to another country to do something that you love, play the game of basketball, and going to get paid for it, you don't have to worry about money. That made the move a lot easier.
[00:13:46] Jamie is the visionary of the company, and JJ is more behind the scenes helping her execute upon that plan. How can others work with their spouse to execute on idea susccessfully?
[00:17:09] When I was in the furniture industry, manufacturing, we used to do weekly events to improve flow. The one tip that I would have is listen to the people that's doing the job. Experience the experience to be a customer or a client with your organization.
Connect with Magical Vacation Planner (MVP)
https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/booking-form/
Connect with Dan:www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
"Don't let failure deter you. That would be my advice, is it doesn't happen overnight. You will fail. If you're going to be good, you're going to fail and you're going to fail a lot and be okay with that." - Jamie Eubanks
Jamie Eubanks is the owner, CEO, and founder of Magical Vacation Planner (MVP), the largest third-party travel agent for Walt Disney World, Universal, and cruise lines. After 14 years as a basketball wife, Jamie left her job at a bank and founded MVP with her husband, JJ.
Jamie had been living a comfortable life as a basketball wife for fourteen years, but after her husband retired they moved back to Indiana. She found it difficult to find work, event with a degree. She was expecting to climb the corporate ladder, but was repeatedly bypassed for positions. With the support of her husband, Jamie decided to take a risk and started her own business - a travel agency that specializes in Disney vacations.
She surrounded herself with smart people, put in a lot of hard work, and eventually was able to build a successful business with over 550 people attending their annual conference. Jamie's journey taught her that failure is part of the process, and success takes patience and hard work.
In this episode, you will learn the following:
[00:00:06]
With us is Jamie Eubanks, the owner, CEO, and founder of MVP. MVP is the largest third-party travel agent for Walt Disney World. There may be 2000 503,000 agents.
[00:01:37]
Jamie was a basketball wife for 14 years before starting her own travel agency. She says she was never going to work her way up the corporate ladder in Southern Indiana. Jamie's story shows how things have changed due to social media.
[00:05:45]
Jamie Eubanks left her job as a bank teller to become an entrepreneur. After 14 years as a basketball player's wife, she lost her identity. She says when a door closes, either solve it or go do something else that's more fulfilling.
[00:09:08]
As a leader, the biggest thing to remember is that we cannot control very much. The only thing we can control is how we handle our own behavior.
[00:11:53]
I think I'm just crazy enough that failure doesn't bother me. I don't care to fail.
[00:12:58]
We talked earlier about pivoting. And I think that that's one thing about living overseas. You adapt quickly. Whatever we decide to do, we go in full blown. All in. And if we fail, we're failing together, and we fail fast and try to pivot.
[00:14:25]
Be patient. It takes years to become an entrepreneur. Don't let failure deter you. Entrepreneurship can look very glamorous, but it's very doable.
[00:16:27]
Our work is more than a business, it's more than a partnership. It's a friendship.
Connect with Magical Vacation Planner (MVP)
https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/booking-form/
Connect with Dan:www.dancockerell.com
About Dan - https://dancockerell.com/about/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dancockerell/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dancockerell/
Facebook - www.facebook.com/dancockerellspeaker
From the publisher's feed