Don't Stop Us Now AI Edition

We have a smart operator and a great champion for women on the show this week. 

Her name is Vered Raviv Schwarz  and she’s spent the past 20 years in disruptive tech companies, based in Israel. 

These days Vered is President and Chief Operating Officer for Guesty, a property management platform offering software that’s used by people renting out short term and vacation rental properties around the world. With Guesty’s multiple features they can easily list and manage their rentals on multiple sites such as AirBnb and Vebo. 

Before Guesty, Vered spent nearly 6 years at the freelancer marketplace Fiverr as Chief Operating Officer. And prior to that she was a lawyer and General Counsel at other tech companies.

We’ve been struck by what a smart operator and thinker Vered is. 

In this episode you’ll hear a lot of great advice including:

• How some of the best advice Vered was given, and now gives herself, changed the course of her entire career
• Why she’s passionate about making tech companies more diverse and what she’s doing about that
• How she helps companies successfully scale and grow globally 
• And why Vered’s a great believer in being able to make decisions quickly. 

Without further ado enjoy this episode with the switched on and dedicated Vered Raviv Schwarz. 

Links

Guesty Website

Vered on LinkedIn 

Vered on Twitter - @VRavivSchwarz

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This week’s mini episode is all about the value of having a mindset of ‘keeping on going’ even when you stumble. Now that isn’t always easy is it? 

One woman who’s really mastered the knack of telling herself constructive stories when things don’t go to plan, is US-based international Uber executive, Julia Paige. Julia is Uber’s global head of Social Impact and she also happens to be a mum of triplets. 

When Julia was on the show 18 months ago we were really struck by how good she is at constructive self-talk and her ability to dust herself off and keep moving. 

At the heart of Julia’s outlook on tackling tough times is the powerful idea that we all control our own stories. We get to write our narrative and we get to say how our stories end - and, for Julia, she makes sure that the story never ends with failure. 

Enjoy this mini episode.

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We’re super excited about our first guest for the year. Speaker, author and storyteller, Briony Benjamin, is known for the amazing and purposeful viral videos she creates, as well as her book, ‘Life is Tough But So are You’, which came out last year. 

Briony is a master at her craft and she’s also incredibly inspiring when she talks about her cancer journey.

In this episode you’ll hear about: 

• The moment when Briony realised a career in accounting or commerce wasn’t for her
• How her life changed in an instant with a diagnosis everyone dreads
• What she thinks about when it comes to getting her creative work out into the world
• And what habits she cultivates to stay on top of her content game. 

Enjoy this episode with the irrepressible, funny and delightful Briony Benjamin.  

Useful Links

Briony on Instagram - @briony_benjamin 

Website: www.brionybenjamin.com

Must Do - watch this amazing viral video from Briony - ‘You Only Get One Life’: 

Briony’s Book - ‘Life is Tough! But so are You’

Books Briony mentions:

Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life, and Let Go of Your Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert 

Get Rich, Lucky Bitch!: A Guide for Exceptional Women to Create Outrageous Success by Denise Duffield-Thomas

Atomic Habits by James Clear 

The Artists Way by Julia Cameron

Jerry Seinfeld Interview with Tim Ferriss 

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Being genuinely yourself sounds good but it’s not always easy to do is it? 

It takes strength to resist the societal pressures and norms we all operate under, and it also takes real clarity on what actually is important, deep down, to each of us as individuals.

It’s always so interesting to hear how different people define success for themselves and this week’s mini episode shares some wonderful examples. 

Hint, the two extraordinary women we hear from have very different but equally beautiful answers. 

Be fired up hearing Oatly Executive Creative Director for North America, Heidi Hackemer’s personal success definition and inspired by entrepreneur and passionate womens’ advocate, Bobbi Mahab’s very different version.

The key truth is, there’s no one right answer. So what would yours be? 

Enjoy. 

Useful Links

Heidi's full interview with us - Heidi Hackemer - Navigating the Worst

Bobbi's full interview with us - Bobbi Mahlab - Defining Success on Her Terms

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Career decisions can be tricky things can’t they? Often they can be some of the most stressful decisions we make; decisions such as: ”Should I say yes to this project or transfer?” Or “Should I stay in my job or should I go?” 

These times come to nearly all of us . . . unless you’re the Queen of course who’s just reached her 70th year anniversary in her job! Can you imagine that? 

Our How To episode this week explores all that’s involved in making great career decisions and with a lot less stress. Huge apologies to Her Majesty as we know this probably isn’t the episode for her 😁.

In this episode you’ll hear us share: 

• Traps we can fall into when searching for the right answer,
• What to do when you have multiple options to choose from,
• How to make sure you’re not leaving for the wrong reasons,
• And, a simple process and lots of practical ideas for your next big decision.

As Tony Robbins says, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.” 

Enjoy this episode!

Useful Links

Adam Grant’s new book ‘Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know’

Article on ‘Why you need a Challenge Network’

Daniel Kahneman’s great book  - ‘Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow’

A past episode of ‘Don’t Stop Us Now!’ you might also like ‘How to Feel Less Stuck in Your Job’

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What better way to start a new Lunar Year than by dusting off any Omicron blues and ensuring you have the right mindset for the day and week ahead? 

Our first mini episode for the year brings you self-confessed ‘rabid optimist’ and former Australian of the Year, Dr Fiona Wood. This inspiring powerhouse manages to stay incredibly positive despite her very confronting and life-saving work as a world-leading burns surgeon. Learn some tactics that she uses to bring back happy memories and change her own mood.

In this short but sweet episode you can also contemplate whether or not you agree with Voltaire on what our most important decision of all is. 

Enjoy! And if you haven’t already, why not connect with us on LinkedIn... just mention “Don’t Stop Us Now! podcast” and we’ll be right there.

Links of interest 

Fiona’s full interview with us

If you enjoy this episode, an interview you might like too; Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas - Humour as a Super Power

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Our first episode for 2022 explores different ways of thinking about your year ahead. You’ll hear us have a candid and informal conversation about how we’re individually thinking about our own plans and aspirations, and how to make them happen. 

You may be surprised at just how different our approaches are!

You’ll learn why Greta thinks getting really granular with her time management is what she needs this year to reach her goals, while Claire is focusing on her key priorities and planning around those. 

We plan to make more conversational and ‘unplugged’ episodes like this one so please let us know what you think or if you disagree! We always love to hear from you. 

P.S. If you’re really hungry for more content on planning your year then also check out our episode from 2020 called How to Have a Great Year.  

Useful Links

Google researchers discuss the rise in searches related to changing priorities 

Brene Brown interview with James Clear 

Jonathan Fields podcast - Good Life Project

SparkeTypes Test 

If you’re planning your year in earnest you might like to listen to one of our previous episodes - How to have a great year

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We’re really thrilled to share a very different type of episode, one that features some of the best advice and insights from six of our incredible guests this year. We recap some of the key themes that emerged from 2021 AND we explore how to set yourself up for 2022.

If you’re looking for some perspective at the end of another crazy year filled with all the highs, lows, cancellations, and uncertainties that come with living during a global pandemic then you’re welcome! :-) 

After listening to these amazing and inspiring guests you’ll:

• Hear what we and others think is most important, really 
• Be inspired by the simple steps you can take to build a better world; and
• Feel equipped and ready to constructively farewell 2021 and welcome 2022 with the right mindset and the right priorities for you going forward. 

We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we’ve enjoyed revisiting our time with the amazing people who joined us this year. 

Finally from both of us, we wish you and yours all the very best for a safe and joyous Festive Season and we look forward to sharing lots of adventures and insights with you in 2022. 

Useful Links

Our full episode with Connie McKaege

Connie on LinkedIn

Our full episode with Holly Ransom

Holly on LinkedIn

Our full episode with Adina Jacobs

Adina on LinkedIn

Our full episode with Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder of OLIO

Tessa on LinkedIn

Drawdown.org - great site if you want to educate yourself on climate change

Our full episode with Sarah Wilson

Sarah’s website 

Our full episode with Dr J (Dr Jacinta Jimenez) 

Jacinta on LinkedIn

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Our mini episode this week is a cracker… we revisit the advice of high achieving changemaker, speaker and author, Holly Ransom, who’s thoughts on managing her energy not her time really struck a chord with us and many of you.

Not only that, in this episode we’re sharing some valuable advice from Holly that you haven’t heard before.

So if you’ve been thinking you want next year to be different to this year, then get ready to be inspired and provoked by hearing how Holly’s approach to managing her energy has been an absolute game changer for her in terms of her schedule, her mindset and her productivity. 

It all began when she made some big changes as part of her recovery from depression. 

Enjoy this mini Future Proof Me episode with the inspiring Holly Ransom.

Useful Links

Holly’s website

Holly’s new book – The Leading Edge

Holly’s podcast – Coffee Pods

Holly on LinkedIn

Holly on Instagram

Holly on Twitter

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Happy December everyone! 

The end of the year can mean travel planning for a lot of people, and business trips and holidays are the bread and butter for the fashion entrepreneur and founder on the show this week, Stefanie Nissen.

California-based Stefanie founded her business ‘Trvl Porter’ with the idea that you would arrive at your destination to find a hand-picked travel wardrobe waiting for you at your hotel. When you’re heading home, you can buy the pieces you love, or return them all simply by leaving them with your hotel. 

The business was starting to take off when Covid effectively put Stefanie’s business into hibernation. All the more frustrating as not only had the business been really starting to get traction, it had also enjoyed some great coverage in the NY Times as well. 

In this episode you’ll hear where Stefanie is at today in figuring out the future for Trvl Porter as well as: 

• How she started her career in fashion design 
• The advice her designer employer gave her that made her really change direction 
• How losing her luggage inspired the idea for a brand new business 
• And, Stefanie shares how a significant trauma actually led her to have the courage to start her new venture 

This episode shares stories that are both moving and hopeful. So if you’re after some inspiration, hope and courage in your life, don’t miss this one with the resilient and courageous Stefanie Nissen. 

Useful Links

Stefanie on LinkedIn (Stef’s new married name is Barkman)

Stefanie on Instagram

TrvlPorter website

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