Engaging Virtual Meetings Podcast with John Chen

Today’s guest may be known by his Master’s Degree in Organizational Management or his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Information Systems or his work over the past decade in Toastmasters or possibly by the multitude of certification acronyms that follow his email signature or because of his love for good red wine (pause / big smile / chuckle) …

…but, his passion is to continue his motivational and positive attitude as he wants to share the truths that many seem to avoid through their own portraits of illusion!

His company, Reality Focused Dynamics, focuses on helping leaders, organizations and professionals see the realities in life that may be avoided or forgotten too many times. 

As we continuously receive “media misinformation” or “soundbite slurring” or political “jabs of junk” or “twitter tirades”; how can we exhibit a positive attitude as we continue our day-to-day life around acquaintances, coworkers, friends or family members?

Mark shows us how to understand the strength in the values of Encouraging, Inspiring and Including Others as we End Hate, Anger and Prejudice (EHAP), personally and professionally.

Would you please help me welcome a person that truly wants to share an honesty we can carry with us, share with others and help us focus on a better world for tomorrow: I would like to introduce Mr. Mark Entrekin.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

✅ Mark Entrekin shares his mission to foster collaboration by encouraging, inspiring, and including others in both personal and professional spaces.

🌎Why diversity, equity, and inclusion are here to stay, despite shifts in corporate priorities, and how organizations can embrace a more forward-focused approach.

💡The power of virtual connections, how allyship strengthens underrepresented communities, and why being an advocate matters.

Resources:

https://www.markentrekin.com/

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

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International speaker, facilitator, and the author of the best-selling book, Work Your Assets Off® -Stop Working So Hard in Business and In Life, Allison guides business owners, executives, and their teams in the areas of leadership and interpersonal communication.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎯 Strategies for redefining leadership, building aligned teams, and achieving work-life balance.

📖 Allison Tabor shares lessons on avoiding burnout, fostering collaboration, and growing businesses intentionally.

💻 Expert advice on engaging virtual and hybrid meetings and creating meaningful connections.

Resources:

https://allisontabor.com
https://www.workyourassetsoff.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisontabor/

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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Jim has been focused on AI since 1997 when IBM’s Deep Blue beat Garry Kasparov in chess. He’s been speaking professionally for 35 years.

Jim presents internationally at 70 virtual and in-person events a year. He is an AI advisor to CEOs, executive teams and boards of directors. He also leads AI bootcamps.

Jim's clients include American Express, Barclays Bank, IBM, the Top 200 CIOs of India, the UK Cabinet Office, Swiss Re and Walmart, but he’s most excited to be on Engaging Virtual Meetings podcast with John Chen! 

Lee-Anne McAlear is an award-winning facilitator, consultant, author,  speaker and Program Director of the Center of Excellence in Innovation Leadership at the Schulich School of Business, (Home of the #1 MBA in Canada) York University

Lee-Anne is an accomplished watercolorist who has trekked the Himalayas, scuba-dived the Great Barrier Reef and white-water rafted in Northern India. She is a passionate but rather underwhelming cook.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎉 Approaches to embracing rapid innovation, reimagining virtual events, and connecting with diverse audiences.

📚 Jim Harris and Leanne McClure share stories of adaptability, leadership, and creativity during the shift to virtual and hybrid models.

💻 Tools and tips for maximizing engagement, using humor and AI, and creating dynamic hybrid experiences.

Resources:

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

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-anne-mcalear-062a69/

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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Neelu is an author, speaker, and executive coach focusing on self-advocacy, innovation and burnout management. 

In 2023, ‘Be Your Own Cheerleader,’ was published, which focuses on self-advocacy for Asian & South Asians in the workplace. She holds a bachelor's from NYU Stern School of Business, a master's degree in social & organizational psychology from Columbia University, and she is a certified NLP Master Practitioner and Coach from the NLP Center of New York. 

Neelu’s passions include yoga and Ayurveda. She has been teaching yoga for over 15 years and is a lifelong student and practitioner of Ayurveda.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎉 Strategies for speaking up, addressing cultural barriers, and advocating for personal and professional needs.

📚Neelu Kaur shares lessons on overcoming downsizing, burnout management, and fostering innovation.

💻Techniques for building trust, creating psychological safety, and making virtual and hybrid events impactful.

Resources:

https://www.neelukaur.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

Support the show

Jim has been focused on AI since 1997 when IBM’s Deep Blue beat Garry Kasparov in chess. He’s been speaking professionally for 35 years

Jim presents internationally at 70 virtual and in-person events a year. He is an AI advisor to CEOs, executive teams and boards of directors. He also leads AI bootcamps.

Jim's clients include American Express, Barclays Bank, IBM, the Top 200 CIOs of India, the UK Cabinet Office, Swiss Re and Walmart, but he’s most excited to be on Engaging Virtual Meetings podcast with John Chen! 

Lee-Anne McAlear is an award-winning facilitator, consultant, author,  speaker and Program Director of the Center of Excellence in Innovation Leadership at the Schulich School of Business, (Home of the #1 MBA in Canada) York University.

Lee-Anne is an accomplished watercolorist who has trekked the Himalayas, scuba-dived the Great Barrier Reef and white-water rafted in Northern India. She is a passionate but rather underwhelming cook.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎉 Leveraging AI for innovation and organizational growth through virtual platforms.

📈Tools and techniques for effective hybrid meeting setups.

💻Overcoming challenges like Zoom fatigue, technical glitches, and disengagement.

Resources:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimharrisprofile/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-anne-mcalear-062a69/

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

Support the show

Christy Renee is a captivating, entertaining storyteller inspiring audiences to take action and feel 100x bigger than they ever thought possible. She teaches audiences to be MAGNETIC by employing strategies that pull people in, build trust and rapport faster, and leave lasting impressions. Her method, rooted in neuroscience, psychology, and physiology, is scientifically proven to increase confidence and develop a memorable energetic presence.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎤 Harnessing resilience through storytelling: Insights on overcoming adversity, hacking scares, and personal transformation from Christy Renee Steely.
🌍 The power of connection: Navigating personal growth across 35 countries, the courage to let go, and the impact of meaningful virtual connections.
💻 Lessons in security and innovation: Staying up-to-date with online safety, leveraging technology for hybrid events, and storytelling’s role in advertising success.

Resources:

https://www.christyrenee.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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Matt Bauer is the founder fof Motivational Media and he remains the primary creative. Matt’s love for capturing stories stems from his rich past as a professional musician.

For the last 20+ years, he has been helping others tell their stories through digital multimedia production, motion graphics, voiceover work, graphic design, and audio production.

A natural born artist, Matt is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, drummer, and most importantly – dad to his little daughter Holly. When he is not filming, editing and working with speakers, he and his guitar are crowd favorites at NSA events and social gatherings.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎥 Crafting a standout speaker reel – Top strategies to showcase authenticity, big-stage moments, and audience reactions that get you booked.
🌟 The power of authenticity in speaking – How real connections and human moments build trust and boost your impact.
📈 Virtual and hybrid event insights – Techniques to captivate online audiences and the evolving role of video in the speaking industry.

Resources:
https://speakervideo.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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Don Mann, retired Navy SEAL Team SIX, renowned World–Class Adventure Competitor, New York Times Best Selling Author and Motivational Trainer and Speaker.

Don is the host of Surviving Mann, Surviving Mann All Stars and the Mission and is the author of 22 books including the New York Times Best Selling autobiography Inside SEAL Team SIX: My Life and Missions with America’s Elite Warriors. 

Don has over 40 years (1,000+ races) worth of competitive racing experience and was once ranked 38th in the world as a triathlete. 

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎯 Don Mann's extraordinary journey: From his time as a Navy SEAL (Team 1, 2, and 6) to becoming an endurance athlete, motivational speaker, and host of adventure TV shows.

💡Don's four daily pillars—becoming stronger, faster, smarter, and kinder—serve as a blueprint for personal growth and success in any endeavor.

🏔️ Hear gripping stories of endurance and survival, including climbing Denali, competing in Ironman triathlons, and facing life-threatening challenges on Mount Everest.

💻 Don’s appreciation for virtual technology and its potential to revolutionize connections and learning, paired with his experiences in interactive virtual meetings.

Resources:

Web: 

http://usfrogmann.com 
https://x.com/DonUSFrogMann
https://www.facebook.com/usfrogmann
https://www.instagram.com/us_frogmann/
https://www.youtube.com/@DonUSFrogMann

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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Meet Tatiana Rodriguez.  She helps adjunct professors create engaging college classes that students love and remember using active learning strategies, visual appeal, and technology tools.

She is an Adjunct Professor of Public Speaking, Leadership, and Social Media at Rutgers University. 

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎯 Tatiana Rodriguez’s journey from hospital administration to teaching communication and leadership at Rutgers University.

💡 Strategies for engaging virtual classrooms, using active learning, visual tools, and authentic student participation.

💻 Technology in virtual teaching, featuring tools like ECAM, Video Pencil, and hybrid setups for engagement.

🗣️ The power of voice and personality, with tips on voice, camera presence, and lighting for impactful presentations.

Resources:

https://www.tatianateaches.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

Support the show

With over 25 years of experience as a productivity speaker and software trainer, Dawn Bjork is The Software Pro®. Her informative and engaging style helps you discover easy ways to be more productive with software.

Dawn has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, a credential held by less than 800 speakers worldwide. The creator of hundreds of training programs, Dawn is also a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) as well as a Microsoft Office Specialist Expert (MOSE), and a Certified Virtual Presenter (CVP). When she's not focused on technology and software, Dawn enjoys hiking, Pilates, and pretending she can play golf.

In this episode, we discuss the following:

🎯 Dawn's journey into virtual meetings, evolving from in-person to nearly 100% online engagements post-pandemic.

💡 Strategies for creating dynamic and interactive online sessions, including polls, breakout rooms, and personalized interactions.

💻 Embracing technology, the role of AI tools in productivity, and insights into Microsoft Office's evolution and legacy.

Resources:

https://TheSoftwarePro.com

https://www.youtube.com/TheSoftwarePro

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

Support the show