Failing Forward

As the director of corporate communications and media relations for Kroger, Kristal Howard was busier than ever at the start of the pandemic. When managing stress from her job and the open-ended health crisis reached a breaking point, she made a pivotal realization: She had her dream job but not her dream life.

On episode 121, Kristal tells us about giving herself permission to make bold changes in her life. She initiated a breakup, and this May, left her job to focus on play, travel, and making space for the unexpected. Kristal explains what deciding to go felt like and what’s next.

Show Notes:

- Read "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-big-leap-gay-hendricks?variant=32205677625378

Daniella Dayoub has had a love-hate relationship with her body. Her struggles with disordered eating began when she was a kid, but in her twenties, a personal trainer told her she needed to fuel her body well if she wanted to have energy to build muscle. Now, Daniella helps other people through her health coaching business, D Fit Life.

On episode 120, the certified personal trainer tells us about the tipping point that finally led to her changing her habits around eating. As a health coach, Daniella impresses upon her clients that eating quality, nutrient-rich food is much more important than how much you eat. And don’t miss the two tips she shares at the end of the episode about practices that can helps us all get more in touch with our body.

Show Notes:

- Learn more about Daniella’s health coaching business, D Fit Life: https://www.dfitlife.com/

- If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, help is available. The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is available Monday through Friday at 800-931-2237 and online: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ Text "NEDA" to 741741 to reach the crisis text line.

Danyetta Najoli grew up in Harlem—when it wasn’t the one of desirable New York City neighborhoods to live in. She remembers priceless memories with her friends’ families and dance lessons at her godmother’s studio, but in the background, her family was learning to thrive in the face of loss.

On episode 118, Danyetta shares one of her coaching programs that she has used in her own life and with her clients. The four-step process is: release, allow, attract, and act. She explains each step on this episode, and you can learn more about them in her new book “Micro Shift: Small Mindset Changes for Big Results.”

Show Notes:

- Learn more about Danyetta’s work: https://www.danyetta.com/

- Read Danyetta’s book, Micro Shift: https://www.danyetta.com/product-page/signed-copy-of-micro-shift-small-changes-for-big-results

When Kendra Ramirez started getting calls from other sales people asking for a tutorial on how to use LinkedIn effectively, a business idea was born. She shared her idea with three business coaches who all said it would fail because LinkedIn was a fad. Kendra started her agency anyway.

On episode 118, Kendra talks about listening to her intuition and building confidence as a business owner. In February, she released her book “Micro Shift: Small Mindset Changes for Big Results.” One of the key ideas from the book is a practice Kendra calls looking for the wobble. The feeling of being off balance is an opportunity to ask yourself what’s not being fulfilled in your life.

Show Notes:

- Learn more about Kendra Ramirez Digital Agency: https://www.kendraramirez.com/

- Read Kendra’s book, Micro Shift: https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Shift-Mindset-Changes-Results/dp/B09SY39N8X

One rule in Myron Rivers’ life is to question everything. His independent thinking is the lynchpin of his entrepreneurial spirit, and today, he is the CEO of Lerch, a concierge app. But growing up, he faced serious hardship.

On episode 117, Myron shares how he overcame the traumas of his childhood and talks about breaking the cycle of violence. His pride in being a Black man informs his approach to parenting. And he reflects on how his time in the U.S. Air Force influenced his diversity and inclusion work.

Show Notes:

- Learn more about Lerch on its website: https://asklerch.com/

- If you or someone you know is a victim of abuse, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available to help 24/7. Call the confidential hotline at 800-799-7233.

Robyn Johnson hated selling as a kid and became a youth minister, which she dubs the least capitalistic profession possible. But out of necessity, she started reselling garage sale finds on eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist. Success brought opportunity and a new passion: helping other entrepreneurs sell online.

On episode 116, Robyn shares her entrepreneurial journey from garage sales to her current consulting agency, Marketplace Blueprint. Her thyroid cancer diagnosis caused her to take a step back, and despite her fears, she watched the business grow under her team’s stewardship. Now a cancer survivor, her outlook on the business and life was changed for the better.

Show Notes:

- Learn more about Marketplace Blueprint on its website: https://marketplaceblueprint.com/

- Read Think and Grow Rich for Women by Sharon Lechter: https://sharonlechter.com/women/

- Read The Source by Tara Swart: https://www.taraswart.com/the-source/

In 2005, Nick Marckwald dreamt of opening a fine dining restaurant called Hen of the Woods. After years of being a chef and a brief stint in property management, Nick was determined to make it happen until a new, even brighter opportunity—to create a pototo chip and snack company—appeared.

On episode 115, Nick discusses the evolution of his dream and how he and his co-founders started Hen of the Woods snacks. They knew next to nothing about running a consumer packaged goods company, but their hard work and determination have made it work. Along the way, Nick harnessed the positive side of FOMO and has embraced the ever-changing nature of his company’s namesake, the mushroom.

Show Notes:

- Check out Hen of Woods on its website: https://www.henofthewoodsotr.com/

After 19 years with the Cincinnati Bengals, Jeff Berding left his executive-level position to bring a new sports team to the Queen City: FC Cincinnati. Early on, Jeff faced skepticism about the new venture, but he saw a bright future that he’s still helping to build.

On episode 114, the soccer club’s CEO tells us about his inspiration for the club, gets real about FCC’s disappointing MLS seasons, and explains why it’s crucial to decide whose support means the most to you. Although he had some soccer experience prior to FCC, Jeff embodies what it means to have a growth mindset.

Growing up in small town Ohio, Kristin Shrimplin was different. In high school, she was silenced by relentless bullies. Later on, she thought having power and being in control would protect her, but her journey to empowerment—and sobriety—actually involved acknowledging she was powerless.

On episode 113, Kristin explains the liberation of being powerless, the importance of language, and how she approaches serving others. Today, Kristin is the president and CEO of Women Helping Women, a gender-based violence prevention and crisis intervention center. Despite the challenges she’s faced, she brings a positivity to her relationships and work that is worth emulating.

Show Notes:

- Learn more about Women Helping Women: https://www.womenhelpingwomen.org/

- If you or someone you know is struggling with gender-based violence, help is available. Call or text Women Helping Women’s 24-hour hotline at 513-381-5610. For support outside the Cincinnati area, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

When Brady Duncan and Kenny McNutt founded MadTree Brewing Co. in 2013, the craft beer boom was just getting started. A few years later, MadTree was one of the biggest craft breweries in Ohio, but Brady started to feel like it was just like any of the other thousands of operations across the country.

On episode 112, Brady tells us about his resetting process, how to create a values-led organization, and discusses the hardest part of any job: the people. Like every business, MadTree has been thrown some curveballs by the pandemic, but it’s poised to grow in new ways in 2022, including the opening of Alcove.

Show Notes:

- Learn more about MadTree's Alcove bar and restaurant: https://www.madtreebrewing.com/news/madtree-alcove