Leila Kubesch is a keynote speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur dedicated to helping HR leaders foster resilient, inclusive workplace cultures. 

Leila’s journey began in the airline industry, where she mastered communication, crisis management, and delivering exceptional service under pressure. 

She learned to build trust quickly, defuse tense situations, and create seamless experiences, all of which now serve as the foundation of her work in leadership and organizational development. 

Her transition into education deepened her understanding of resilience, engagement, and inclusion, working with diverse student populations and empowering them to advocate for their needs. Her impact was recognized nationally when she was named Ohio Teacher of the Year and later inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

💡 How kindness, community, and creativity transformed challenges into impact—from Zen gardens to cooking shows

🎓 Lessons from pivoting to virtual teaching and building student connection online
🌐 The future of inclusive, tech-powered virtual meetings and real-time language translation

Resources:

https://leilakubesch.com/

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

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For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Lynda is an experienced entrepreneur, having owned 3 businesses.  She holds a doctorate in cognitive neuroscience, specialising in unconscious processing of emotion and behavioural change.  She is an author, a professional speaker, mentor and works with senior leaders and their teams to communicate ideas.  This enables better business relationships, funding and investment opportunities, and spreading their genius to the outside world, something we badly need. 

She is Past President of the Professional Speaking Association UK&I and is the founder of Brain & Behaviour Ltd., the Neuroscience Professional Development Programme and the Consciousness Academy designed to debate the huge conundrum of consciousness. 

She is also an adventure traveler.  Lynda is always informative, fun and extremely practical.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🧠 How neuroscience helps us understand and manage uncertainty in a rapidly changing world
🎤 Why speakers must shift from sharing what they want to say to what audiences need to hear
🔐 The growing concerns of CEOs around cybersecurity in remote and hybrid work environments

Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndashaw/

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

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For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, is an empowering changemaker, Emcee, and Chief Experience Officer at DMP Creative LLC, a firm committed to transforming events into catalysts for growth and impact. Guided by her signature SPARK method, Devon merges event design strategy with dynamic on-stage engagement to create experiences that move audiences, foster connection, and deliver measurable results.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎤 The power of authenticity over perfection in keynote speaking and audience connection.
 ⚙️ How Devon’s SPARK method brings strategy, energy, and storytelling into event design.
 🎶 Why emotionally resonant experiences — like Brene Brown's keynote or a Gwen Stefani concert — create lasting impact at live events.

Resources:

https://dmpcreative.llc

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

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For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Sarah Ohanesian is a productivity expert, dynamic keynote speaker, and former Chief Marketing Officer. Through her company, SO Productive, she empowers individuals and organizations to defeat burnout, embrace purpose-driven productivity, and create thriving environments for neurodiverse teams.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

✨ How to create compounding productivity by building momentum through the right, purpose-driven actions

🧠 Why clarity is 90% of the productivity equation—and how to get aligned with what truly matters

⚠️ The “quicksand conundrum”—how busy work traps us and fuels burnout without real progress

Resources:

https://sarahohanesian.com

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend. Also, leave us a rating and review on any podcast platform, I’d really appreciate it.

For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Dr. Mel is on a lifelong quest to help people worldwide improve Quality of Life for ourselves and those we care for. She is recognized as an enthusiastic teacher and advisor wherever she goes. When asked "where do you teach?" she answers "Wherever I am! And right now I'm here with you..." 

Deeply committed to a life of service, she wants to help whomever she can.

In 2006, while pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership, Dr Mel discovered a list of ADHD symptoms and realized an ADD diagnosis might explain a lot of the challenges she had had in her life. With that diagnosis and the new approaches to managing her challenges, she now uses her breadth of knowledge, experience and fast thinking to help people creatively solve whatever problems they are facing in their days and lives. 

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🦑 How the SQUID method empowers people to pause, reflect, and make thoughtful choices during emotionally charged moments.

📚 Why translating complex neuroscience into kid-friendly stories can help prevent future mistakes and support mental health early on.

🌍 How embracing creativity and virtual tools during the pandemic led Dr. Mel and John to deeper purpose and wider impact.

Resources:

https://linktr.ee/drmelganus

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend. Also, leave us a rating and review on any podcast platform, I’d really appreciate it.

For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Brett Hoogeveen (Hō’ gə vēēn) is a trained engineer, former healthcare executive, startup investor, and the co-founder of BetterCulture: a prominent leadership development and consulting firm with clients spanning from entrepreneurial startups to Fortune 500 companies.

An international speaker and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP®), Brett focuses on providing practical and actionable advice on leadership, company culture, and the ‘not-so-secret’ secrets of becoming successful and happy. 

Brett lives in Omaha, Nebraska with his wife and three delightfully spunky children. He loves jumping on his trampoline with his kids, is a self-proclaimed personal finance nerd, and is purported to be one of the ‘Top 10 Airzooka Marksmen’ in the entire world (you’ll have to ask him about that😊) ].

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🌟 How genuinely caring about company culture and continuously improving it at all levels drives organizational success.

💬 Why psychological safety is essential for teams to thrive by allowing mistakes, help-seeking, and constructive challenges.

🌐 How intentional engagement in virtual and hybrid work environments fosters community and connection among remote teams.

Resources:

https://betterculture.com/

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

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For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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A decorated US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, Elizabeth McCormick flew air assault, command and control, top-secret intelligence missions and transported high-level government VIP’s before transitioning from her military service to corporate management then to public speaking. 

Elizabeth is an in-demand Keynote Speaker named one of the Top 30 Motivational Speakers in the WORLD, and a Leadership expert, currently #4 on the list of “Leadership Experts to Follow Online.”

In this episode, we discuss the following:

✈️ How taking control like a pilot helps you lead virtual meetings with confidence.
 🎥 Why your visual and audio setup directly impacts your virtual presence.
 💬 How intentional engagement keeps virtual audiences connected and responsive.

Resources:

https://www.PilotSpeaker.com

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

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For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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The Engagement Show is the latest tips and tricks from 2 masters of in-person and virtual engagement.

Today's Theme:  Engagement IRL

In this episode, we discuss the following:

✈️ How a travel mishap turned into a powerful engagement moment—transforming embarrassment into connection.

🎁 The impact of Birthday Boxes and how CSR activities like these spark deep engagement and emotional connection.

🤖 Leveraging AI tools like Suno and Zoom’s AI Companion to boost creativity, productivity, and meeting engagement.

🧠 The power of masterminds, authentic relationships, and vulnerability in fostering meaningful, lasting engagement.

📅 Setting intentions for 2025 and declaring it the “Year of Engagement” to inspire deeper connections in work and life.

Contact Roger at [email protected] 

http://www.engagementunlimited.ca

Click http://engagingvirtualmeetings.com/meet to meet John Chen.

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For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Kevin Snyder is a recovering motivational speaker who has presented for over 1,000,000 people in all 50 states and several countries.  He helps empower audiences to think differently, dream big, and take massive action.  He also coaches aspiring speakers to craft their story and message to build a speaking business.  His claim to fame is that he was a game show winner on The Price is Right!  

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎤 Kevin Snyder’s Price is Right experience became the signature story that launched his speaking career.

🤝 Honoring commitments builds integrity and strengthens engagement, as seen in an unexpected karaoke night.

💡 Personal struggles with depression highlight the power of mental health awareness and self-belief.

🚀 Treating speaking like a business leads to long-term success and impact.

Resources:

https://www.KevinCSnyder.com

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend. Also, leave us a rating and review on any podcast platform, I’d really appreciate it.

For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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Lien Ngoc Ngu has been an energetic spiritual teacher for years. She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and Master of Business Administration from Keller Graduates of Devry University. Currently, she is working with her husband in real estate, and they have been top 10 agents in WA state in the past few years.  She is a mother of three and is now a published author of Joyful Living.  

Lien has presented speaking engagements at temples, communities, and real estate colleagues. As a result of her passion to help others grow, she developed a system to help people find peace within themselves and reach their goals. Through her principles and strategies, people create the life they want and live a joyful life!

In this episode, we discuss the following:

📖 Lien Ng shares her journey from corporate finance to real estate and personal growth, leading to the release of her book Joyful Living.

😊 She reveals why happiness is a daily practice rather than a destination and how shifting your mindset can transform your life.

🧘‍♀️ The M.A.P. method (Meditate, Adapt, Positivity) offers simple yet powerful strategies to overcome challenges and cultivate lasting joy.

🌍 Insights on the impact of social connections, mindset shifts, and personal responsibility in creating a more fulfilling and joyful life.

Resources:

Click to get Joyful Living https://amzn.to/3zxr04T

https://Joyfullivingnow.com 

If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend. Also, leave us a rating and review on any podcast platform, I’d really appreciate it.

For more information, visit us at www.engagingvirtualmeetings.com

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