Ever Better Today

Jason Andrew Wrobel is the author of Eaternity, available in stores on April 5. At first glance, Eaternity appears to be a vegan cookbook, but it's so much more! It's a holistic lifestyle book with themes and lessons from Jason's life journey. His experiences and passions shine through in this book including:

• Graduating from the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute,

• Being Head Raw Food Chef at Café La Vie in Santa Cruz, CA and chef to many celebrities including Robin Wright, Sigourney Weaver, and Russell Simmons,

• Launching the first longevity cooking show, How to Live to 100, and

• Speaking and presenting raw vegan food at dozens of conferences.

Listen to this podcast to hear Jason discuss:

• Achieving his dream of writing and publishing Eaternity,
• The impact of his grandfather's cancer,
• Experimenting with plant-based foods and becoming vegan,
• Identifying and treating clinical depression,
• Leading by example and influencing others to adopt a healthier practices,
• Living in alignment with values,
• His mother's influence on his work and his idea for an Iron Chef series: Mom vs Professional Chef showdown!
• Being a decade ahead of pop culture,
• Developing a children's show inspired by Sesame Street, Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and The Wuzzles,
• Three tips for longevity,

• Being part of the "Conscious Community,"
• Visualizing success using a vision board and manifestation list, and
• The stories behind some of his tattoos!

Persistence quote

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

- President Calvin Coolidge

Learn more practices for continuous improvement! For my listeners, I created a downloadable version of my eBook.

Request a copy at EverBetterU.com/book

This Ever Better episode isn't my typical podcast where I share an in-depth discussion with one amazing guest. It's a short journal episode where I share two practices common to every guest I've had on the show: Follow your interests and teach what you've learned. In their own voices, Jeff Davidoff, Tasia Valenza, Doug Hensch and Jessie Marshall describe how they apply these practices.

As you might suspect, I relate to these practices because I'm following my interest in podcasting – evident in my weekly episodes. On the teaching side…I've been asked to share my knowledge and lessons learned with other podcasters and appreciate and enjoy the opportunity to help - as others helped me.

This is the second in a series of journal episodes where I share practices that my guests have in common. The first journal episode is Ten Practices From the First Ten Episodes.

Ever Better Guest: Jeff Davidoff

From his first job out of college, Jeff was drawn to marketing. He earned an MBA and then went on to found Upshot, a marketing and advertising agency, and to be the Chief Marketing Officer of Whirlpool, Orbitz, the ONE Campaign, and now Donuts, Inc.

Jeff teaches what he's learned through creating marketing departments and even an agency that approach things differently. In doing so, he's teaching those who work with him and those who are influenced by his work how to represent and position products, but more important, how to make a difference in the world. Jeff says he's more interested in "writing the book" than "reading the book."

Listen to the full podcast with Jeff Davidoff.

Ever Better Guest: Tasia Valenza

Tasia Valenza had a very successful acting career that started when she was discovered by Louis Malle and cast with Sean Penn and Donald Sutherland in her very first film. She went on to star in All My Children and numerous other television shows - and then she discovered voice overs. She found that work interesting, rewarding, and healthier! By following what interested her, Tasia became one of the most successful voice over artists in the country.

Tasia donates her talents to help non-profits communicate their mission, donates her voice through Vocal ID, and teaches others through her program, Giving Great Voice.

Listen to the full podcast with Tasia Valenza.

Ever Better Guest: Doug Hensch

Doug Hensch was working for Nextel on eCommerce projects when he realized his interest in positive psychology and helping others improve. He followed another practice of discussing his ideas and interests and landed a job that was a critical stepping stone to where he is today – a public speaker, author, and executive coach.

When it comes to sharing what he's learned with others, Doug's got that covered on several fronts. I asked Doug what aspect of his work he most enjoyed and he described using his knowledge and skills to help others improve their lives.

Listen to the full podcast with Doug Hensch.

Ever Better Guest: Jessie Marshall

Jessie was pursuing a career in fitness but she hadn't planned on becoming a Pilates instructor until one day she discovered a room full of intriguing equipment. She followed that interest and is now a Mind/Body Fitness Director.

Jessie continues to develop her understanding of Pilates, yoga, and recently added barre classes to her repertoire. At this time next year, she'll probably have added another class to her list.

As my instructor, Jessie has helped me to improve my strength and flexibility and has helped hundreds of others as well including one client with Parkinson's who proudly shared that after he was once again able to mow the lawn.

Listen to the full podcast with Jessie Marshall.

I hope as you listen to Jeff, Tasia, Doug and Jessie that you consider what interests you and how to fit more of it into your life. Give it some thought over the next couple of weeks. You just might end up writing a book, teaching a class, coaching, starting a company or creating a podcast!

Learn more practices for continuous improvement! For my listeners, I created a downloadable version of my eBook, only available on Amazon until now. Request a copy and I'll send you the book in a format you can print or read online.

http://www.EverBetterU.com/Book

Tasia Valenza describes herself as a recovering actress and fully-functioning voice over artist. If you watch the Hallmark Channel, you'll know Tasia from her heartfelt introductions to the Good Witch television show. And if you watch Disney's animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, you'll know her as the wise Jedi, Shaak Ti. If you're a gamer, you'll recognize her as the voice of Poison Ivy in the Batman: Arkham games. And if you watched All My Children in the 80's, you'll know her as the Emmy-nominated actress who played beautiful and manipulative, Dottie Thornton. Tasia also uses her many talents to help others. A child growing up in an SOS Children's Villagewouldn't recognize Tasia's voice. But he or she would understand the safety and security of home that Tasia helps to provide. And Tasia has literally donated her voice to those who cannot speak, through Vocal ID.

Through her passion project, Giving Great Voice, Tasia helps others share their voice with confidence.

We discuss:

• Tasia's professional journey from Louis Malle's film, Crackers, with Sean Penn and Donald Sutherland, to a multi-year role as Dottie Thornton on All My Children, to 80's "bad hair" TV, to voice overs.
• Tasia's favorite voice over characters
• Staying positive, grateful and inspired
• Recording in "the closet" (see video below)
• Involving children in philanthropy and random acts of kindness (RAKs)
• SOS Children's Villages and Tasia's Big Give project to sponsor 100 children
• Giving Great Voice: Helping people to use their voices to their greatest advantage through conscious breathing, control and understanding the impact of vocal choices.
• Donating your voice through Vocal ID
• Guided meditations: Take Ten with Tasia

Request a free, downloadable version of the Ever Better eBook at EverBetterU.com/Book

Jessie Marshall teaches pilates mat, pilates reformer, yoga, barre classes, is a personal trainer and the Mind/Body Director at Bethesda Sport & Health.

Jessie began her fitness journey in college when she felt empowered to take ownership of her health for the first time in her life. She majored in Health Promotion and Women's studies with a plan to work for a non-profit focused on women's health advocacy. But as she spent more time at the gym and began working with clients, she found that she loved helping people as a personal trainer. Once she discovered Pilates her mind/body career began to blossom and she soon had a successful career.

I take a Pilates Reformer class with Jessie so I blame her for my sore muscles every Tuesday and credit her for my improved strength, posture, and flexibility.

We discuss:

• Discovering the importance of fitness
• Joseph Pilates and the history of "his" exercises
• Pilates equipment
• Mind/body disciplines including yoga and barre
• Applying Pilates principles while sitting and walking
• Meditating
• Making soap
• The gracefulness of cats

Thanks for listening!

Request a free, downloadable version of the Ever Better eBook at EverBetterU.com/Book.

Jeff Davidoff has had a highly successful marketing career for an interesting collection of well-known companies: Whirpool, Orbitz, The ONE Campaign, Citibank, and Upshot. Jeff's current role is Chief Marketing Officer of Donuts Inc., a wholesaler of not-com domains - which Jeff explains during the podcast.

Jeff believes that you are either part of the solution or part of the problem. He shares his passion for finding and bringing big ideas to life, how and why he transitioned from one impressive organization to another and his practices for getting Ever Better!

We discuss:

• Founding and growing an agency to 200 people,
• Being interviewed by Bono to be Chief Marketing Officer of the One Campaign,
• The art and science of integrated marketing,
• Learning about Absolut by being immersed in the product environment,
• Creating the most successful ad in Whirpool history without showing a Whirlpool product,
• Being open to ideas
• Creating game-changing, empowering campaigns (See Cocoa na Chocolate and Famine is the F Word below)
• Recognizing success

Thanks for listening!

Request a free, downloadable version of the Ever Better eBook at EverBetterU.com/Book.

This is an Ever Better milestone podcast that celebrates the first ten episodes!

I'm introducing a new "journal" format with this episode where I reflect on and share ten practices from my guests on getting ever better. I discuss their practices, how I apply those same practices, and a short clip from one show.

Here's what sparked the idea for this format…

I unearthed a 5-year journal that I bought for myself in January 2015 – over a year ago.

The idea behind this journal is that every day of the year, over a 5 year period, I would write a short answer to the same prompt. For example, the question for January 24 is "If you were going to start your own company, what would it be?" The prompt for January 6 is "Today was tough because _______."

Through using this journal I would build up an incredible record of my activities, perspectives, goals, and thoughts. I thought that this was a fantastic idea! I bought the journal with a commitment to writing in it every day for the next five years. Unfortunately, I only wrote eight entries in 2015. All but one were in January.

Those few entries from last year were fascinating. In one of them, I promised to share a positive and optimistic attitude to help others. I also wrote about completing my eBook, Ever Better, my website, and creating a line of clothing for women to wear as they recover from a mastectomy.

One year later, although I didn't record my progress in the journal, I have come so much further than I anticipated. My family is well, my eBook is published, and I decided not to put my energy into creating a line of clothing…at least not yet. But I did create this podcast to share discussions about continuous improvement with people who are living inspiring, joyful, and daring lives.

It turns out that I am sharing a positive and optimistic attitude and I'm not doing it alone! Every week a guest has been joining me and together, we have been able to share so much more than I could on my own.

If I had faithfully written in my journal I could have followed my daily progress and I would be able to read what Lisa from ten months ago or even six months ago was thinking about. So I'm going to make another attempt at writing in my 5-year journal. And starting with this episode I'll create Ever Better Podcast Journals where I discuss practices and lessons my guests have shared.

I'm starting this week by sharing ten practices for getting ever better from the first ten episodes.

And then I'll work podcast journals into my regular schedule. I will produce several discussions with a guest and then create a "Journal" episode where I reflect on lessons from my guests and what I've learned in my own life.

Before I dive into the ten practices I want to thank my guests who shared their life journeys and insights with us. My gratitude goes out to:

Deb Williams, Nathalie Nozile, Jesse Mejia, Connie Inukai, Anne Meador, Dan Horowitz, Gregory Berg, Laura Zam, Mark Neidig, and Cheryl Wood.

Most of these men and women have never met. They live throughout the U.S., from California to Virginia, they have diverse backgrounds yet they have great similarities in approach to their lives, careers, and their relationships. They have made amazing leaps in their personal and professional lives. And continuing to get ever better runs through everything they do.

So without further ado, here are ten practices for getting ever better from my first ten guests.

Practice 1: DON'T GIVE UP

Never give up on something that you believe in and is important to you. Keep working, thinking, and talking about what you're trying to do, and eventually things will come together. Your outcome may not be what you expected or what you most hoped for, but giving up will shortchange your experience and your potential outcome. It's okay to make a decision to pivot and take a different direction or to walk away from a no-win situation; but to completely abandon a dream, a goal, or a business because it's gotten too hard, will result in future regret.

Deborah Williams, my first podcast guest, discussed challenges that she overcame by never giving up and taking them on one day at a time.

Her real estate investments had become a significant financial drain, she was facing a divorce, and suffering from clinical depression. Listen to Deb's podcast episode to hear her describe her experience, how and why she never gave up.

Practice 2: LIVE AND WORK WITH A MISSION

I feel most fulfilled and happiest when I'm working with a purpose. I've mentioned SOS Children's Villages on several podcasts. It's an international non-profit that I worked for that provides long-term homes to orphaned, abandoned, and foster children around the world - and I loved helping to make a difference. In fact, my co-worker used to joke with me about me about how I smiled while sitting alone in my office working.

Through this job I met Nathalie Nozile, my guest on episode 002. Nathalie grew up in an SOS Children's Village in Haiti. She is now an attorney practicing in Florida helping children and families in need. And as the Jolie-Pitt Legal Fellow in Haiti she helped to create adoption laws that are now protecting vulnerable children.

Listen to Nathalie's podcast episode to hear about her mission of helping children and families in need.

Practice 3: HONE YOUR CRAFT

Jesse Mejia, my third guest, talked about the importance of improving through practice. He first joined Toastmasters in 2008 to develop his public speaking skills and through delivering and refining his talk over several years, he became a Toastmasters District Champion. He is now a professional speaker who delivers keynote presentations.

Listen to Jesse's podcast episode to hear about his journey to become an award-winning public speaker.

Practice 4: DON'T STOP AT ONE CAREER

Most of my guests have had more than one career. It's not that they whimsically decided to start over. They worked hard and in most cases found great success and satisfaction from a first career, and through following their interests and their aptitudes, they landed in a second, third, or fourth career.

Connie Inukai, my guest on episode 004 recently retired from teaching at the college level and reinvented herself as…an inventor! As she told her story it was clear that she always fostered her children's entrepreneurial interests and had created a network of people who could help her to pursue her own ideas.

Listen to Connie explain how she brought the Tip n' Split to market in her second career.

Practice 5: BUILD COMMUNITY

Gathering like-minded people together in-person, virtually, via Skype or some other means can lift up everyone involved. Community members can lean on each other when they need a boost, wisdom, or to share great news! I'm involved with my neighborhood community and have long been a vice president of my neighborhood association because I believe it's important to help build community where I live, work, and play.

As a side note, the movie Terminal, with Tom Hanks, is an entertaining example of how it's possible to build community under any circumstances.

Anne Meador, my guest on episode 005, created the Working Women Entrepreneur Podcast as a first step in developing a community of women entrepreneurs, many of whom are also working full-time jobs. She just took the second step of creating the Working Women Entrepreneur Mastermind Community that will enable these same women to get to know each other beyond their podcast interviews.

Listen to Anne discuss why she is creating a community for women entrepreneurs.

Practice 6: FOLLOW YOUR INTERESTS

I create Ever Better Podcasts because I've been an avid podcast listener for many years and was looking for a way to share positive, inspiring messages. After meeting several podcasters at Camp Good Life Project and learning more about what happens behind the scenes, I recognized that the vehicle I'd been looking for was already very present in my life. So, I followed my interests and the Ever Better Podcast was born!

Dan Horowitz, my guest on episode 6, followed his interest in meteorology and it led him to a rewarding career in all things digital. Listen to Dan's story.

Practice 7: CREATE AND SHARE

Practice 7 is to make something of your own, with your voice and your message that reflects your values. And then to share what you've created. This allows you to touch others' lives and to contribute your point of view.

That's what I've done with this podcast and it's one of the topics I discussed with Gregory Berg, my guest on Episode 007. Greg is a multi-media storyteller and he produces the Life on Purpose Podcast. During his shows he frequently talks about valuing the freedom to produce content that is important to him. He and his guests are passionate about living life more mindfully and this shines through in his show.

Listen to Greg discuss the freedom we now have to create and share.

Practice 8: RITUALS

Practice 8 is incorporating rituals into your life. My guest from episode 008, Laura Zam, uses the concept of canonical hours to organize her day so that rather than having a daily routine, she follows an established schedule but incorporates spirituality and mindfulness into even her most mundane activities.

I'm not sure if my routines could be called rituals but it's something I'll be more aware of in the future. Here's what Laura had to say.

Practice 9: SAY HELLO

Mark Neidig, my guest in episode 009, has lived in The Gambia and throughout the US and builds a community around himself everywhere he goes. He starts by saying hello. He now lives in Orlando, FL and recently sang in a backup chorus for Barry Manilow – for the second time. Is he a professional singer? No. But he enjoys performing and he's great at meeting people!

On the podcast he told the story of how he solved a problem with his television by putting up a sign in his new condo, introducing himself and asking for help. With minutes, someone knocked on his door and offered to help. This person then invited Mark and his wife, Deb, to a party where they were surrounded by people who are very involved with the arts in Orlando. Within a few months Mark had joined a choir, the Board of Orlando Arts, and because that group is known and trusted by Barry Manilow, Mark and his wife were invited on-stage to be a part of the show. And, a similar scenario played out for Mark a few years earlier when he moved to Washington, D.C. And it was there that he first sang backup for Barry Manilow.

Like Mark, I also speak to people wherever I go. At Starbucks, on the metro, in the elevator, and at conferences. Because I project a friendly attitude, people often say hello to me first. In fact, I met one of my best friends, Elise, while riding the metro in Washington, DC.

Here's Mark explaining his practice of saying hello.

Practice 10: TALK TO YOURSELF!

Practice ten is TALK TO YOURSELF! As I interviewed my guests, all of whom I perceive to be self-confident and successful, I found that they work at projecting confidence. A common practice is using affirmations or self-talk. Cheryl Wood, my guest on episode 010, talks to herself to get pumped up before delivering a keynote speech and even founded a highly successful conference as an outcome of talking to herself.

She has a practice of saying "OK Cheryl, play time is over, let's get to work! And that habit led her to create the highly successful Play Time is Over Women in Business Conference.

Here's Cheryl describing how she cheers herself on!

After speaking with Cheryl, I realized that I do something similar. I subscribe to Seth Godin's inspiring daily blog posts and often read them out loud to motivate myself. Here's one of my favorites:

The only way to become the writer who has written a book is to write one.

The only way to become the runner who has just finished a run is to go running.

You might dread the writing or the running or the leading, but it's the key step on the road to becoming.

If it's easier, remind yourself what you're about to be.

- Seth Godin

What are you going to say to yourself today and what will you do for the rest of this day, or tomorrow, or next week? Whatever it is, make sure it will take you at least one step closer to being what you want to be.

Keep getting ever better and I'll talk to you soon!

Lisa

P.S. For a limited time, I'm giving away a copy of my eBook, Ever Better, Five Resources for Continuous Improvement in a format you can print or read online. Sign-up here.

Throughout his life, Doug Hensch has helped people to be more resilient, happier, and to achieve greater levels of success. His journey began with coaching football at University of Chicago, progressed to organizational development for telecom companies like Sprint Nextel, and evolved to creating online resources for increasing happiness. He was co-founder of Happier.com, a web site that launched in 2008 that helped thousands increase their happiness and resilience. And now, he's an executive coach and writing a book on resilience, due to be published in early 2017.

We discuss:

• Career stepping stones including coaching youth baseball
• Achieving success by following what interests you rather than pursuing the expected career path. In Doug's case this meant pursuing a job applying positive psychology rather than website product development.
• Being in the right place, at the right time, with the right attitude
• Benefits of talking to people wherever you are - at Starbucks, a taxi cab, an airplane...
• Making a role your own
• Meditating
• The evolution of Doug's book deal
• Resilience practices
• Perceptions of luck
• Three addictions in life (as defined by Peter Worrell): 1) Carbohydrates 2) Heroin 3) A Paycheck

Doug's Recommended Resources

Books

Love 2.0, by Barbara Frederickson, Ph.D.

Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life, by Martin Seligman

Made to Stick, Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

The Upside of Your Dark Side, by Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener

Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age, by Sherry Turkle

Free Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children, by Lenore Skenazy

Connect With Doug

DRH Group

LinkedIn

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.

Cheryl Wood is a corporate keynote speaker, leadership coach, author and creator of the Play Time is Over Women In Business Conference.

Seven years ago, Cheryl took her first entrepreneurial steps. She was working long hours as a legal secretary and felt disconnected from her husband, children and community. And she was determined to change her life.

Cheryl began by putting positive, inspiring messages into the world through t-shirts celebrating women and moms. 18 months later she was asked to speak at a conference. and found her true calling as a speaker and coach. Cheryl is now a sought after motivational speaker and full-time entrepreneur helping women to become beacons of inspiration for each other through boldly sharing their stories and their truth.

We discuss:

• The importance of "staying on the grind" and bringing your "A-game" to every situation
• Cheering yourself on through positive affirmations
• Battling self doubt and walking through fear
• Increasing your reach through developing skills, expertise and your network
• Connecting and empowering women through the Play Time Is Over Conference
• Being guided and strengthened by God
• Raising children as entrepreneurs
• Getting started before things are perfect

Cheryl's favorite quote:

"Find the thing you love doing, and do it so well, that people can't take their eyes off of you."

- Maya Angelou

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.

Mark Neidig builds community everywhere he goes! He's an energetic cancer research advocate, fundraiser, performer, and motivator. Mark shares "what makes him tick" along with the life journey that has taken him and his family from Plymouth, Indiana to The Gambia, to Washington, D.C., to Erie, Pennsylvania, and now to Orlando, Florida.

We discuss:

• Making decisions through following your heart
• Leaving Indiana to work at a medical facility in The Gambia
• Living an "It Takes A Village" philosophy
• Connecting donors with causes they are passionate about
• Being guided by his Christian faith
• The state of cancer treatments and cancer research including his work at Kanzius Foundation (see video below)
• Finding joy through helping others

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.

Laura Zam is a writer, performer and speaker who shares lessons of gaining confidence. Laura describes what she learned from her larger-than-life mother who was a Holocaust survivor as well as her lifelong journey to heal from sexual assault. Laura's work helps others understand that confidence often follows courage. We discuss:

• Playing up to 28 characters in her one-woman shows
• Her healing journey from sexual assault
• Lessons from Laura's mother, a Holocaust survivor
• The power of asking "how can I?"
• Teaching women that confidence often follows courage
• Organizing the day based on canonical hours
• Rituals vs. routines

Thanks for listening!

Learn more about Ever Better at http://www.EverBetterU.com.

Join the Ever Better Facebook Community or follow us on Twitter @EverBetterU.