Finding The Upside

Finding The Upside

By Maria DeLorenzis ReyesBusinessEntrepreneurship
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Finding The Upside episodes

  • #84: CREATING LEADERS: Cultivating Possibility with Sal Rametta

    NEW SERIES on Finding the Upside! My brand new series “Creating Leaders” is a series where I interview those that are shaping the next wave of leaders.  It’s a task that those who are called to this purpose thrive at, redefining how people lead, and changing the old model of leadership that is so flawed. In today’s episode of Finding the Upside, I interview my friend and colleague, Sal Rametta. Sal and I are super aligned with the vision of creating leaders today; from a perspective that shapes what is possible without limitations. Sal shares his unique journey from entrepreneurship to influencing leadership at The PSBLTY Co. Today’s conversation unpacks the challenges of traditional corporate leadership and proposes a model where vulnerability, understanding, and support pave the way for a healthier, more productive work environment. Tune in to hear how we walk the walk and truly inspire others to impact their teams by being genuine, promoting growth, and allowing the human spirit to thrive in every interaction. 


    Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

    • [0:25] : Sal’s Leadership Journey 

    • [13:24]: The Definition of Leadership

    • [30:03] : Crafting the “Perfect” Culture

    • [42:58] : Pressure in Leadership

    • [49:15] : How Do We Create Leaders? 

    • Sal Rametta | Instagram 

      Sal Rametta | Facebook 

      Sal Rametta | Website

      Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

      Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

      Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

      Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

      Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

      Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 

      Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

      1 hr 8 min
    • #83: My BEST Career Advice In The 2024 Job Market

      In today’s special episode of Finding the Upside, we are turning the tables. Normally I'm the one interviewing the guests. And today I have my trusted advisor and right-hand, Liyana Munoz here and she will be interviewing me! She is well aware that today’s market has changed and she wants to know what someone like me, who has done the corporate path and transitioned to entrepreneurship, thinks about how to navigate the reality of today’s conditions.  I am giving it to her straight and sharing my perspectives on how to plan your career and succeed, no matter what. This interview unveils invaluable advice for anyone starting out their career or standing at the career crossroads, highlighting the indispensable skills of adaptability and effective communication in today's dynamic job market. Tune in as I reflect on pivotal moments that shaped my  journey, the unforeseen challenges that spurred my growth, and how these experiences can guide professionals on their career path or journey to working for themselves. This episode will definitely give you great insights to help you create a career plan that endures so you can thrive amidst continuous change. 

      Show Notes: 

      Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

      • [0:41] Key Moments That Contributed to My Career Growth

      • [4:31] The Most Important Skills for Someone Looking to Advance Their Career

      • [12:31] Continuous Learning in Today’s Changing Job Market

      • [19:44] The Attitude in Corporate America Today

      • [24:34] How To Approach Setbacks in Your Career Journey

      • Episode Show Notes 

        Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

        Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

        Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

        Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

        Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

        Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now!


        42 min
      • #82: CREATING LEADERS: Rebel Leaders: Why Being Non-Traditional Works Best

        NEW SERIES premiering soon on Finding the Upside! We are working on our brand new series “Creating Leaders” where I will be interviewing those that are shaping the next wave of leaders.  It’s a task that those who are called to this purpose thrive at, redefining how people lead, and changing the old model of leadership that is flawed.  As a precursor to our first episode premiering in a few weeks, here is an early episode where I discuss how to apply a non-traditional leadership style with Sam Manon! 

        On today's episode of Finding the Upside, I am talking with Sam Manon about why being a Rebel Leader and breaking away from traditional leadership is most effective.  I have always upheld a "doing it different" approach to leadership because I found that it worked better.  And this was not the norm and counter to "corporate think" so it proved tricky at times to operate that way.  Sam and I have shared a close friendship spanning over 30 years, and co-led together in senior management at my last corporate position. In this episode, we discuss our unique approach to leadership during a time when traditional leadership styles were the norm. Join us as we dive into our personal experiences and recount the challenges we faced while applying a non-traditional leadership style to show how being a Rebel Leader is the new norm.  Listen now!                                                                                                                     

        Here’s a quick look at today’s episode…

        • [9:37]   Real-life story: How to get an employee’s to see eye-to-eye after a disagreement

        • [12:53] Why perception is reality and how to manage the optics of a situation

        • [27:34] View on how leadership has changed over the years

        • [38:25] The most difficult decision she has ever had to made as a leader

        • [55:21] Advice for those who want to lead their team in a non-traditional way 

        • Episode Show Notes 

          Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

          Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

          Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

          Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

          Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

          Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 

          Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

          1 hr 2 min
        • #81: Being Too Confident In What You KNOW Can Block A Better Way

          Have you ever got so locked in on your own thoughts that you don't entertain that there could be something you don't know?  That can happen in our life, in our business, and as a leader as well. In today’s episode of Finding the Upside, I dive into the danger of holding onto what we think we know too tightly.  Highlighting the consequences of ignoring new insights and how it applies to our businesses, careers, and lives. Through a GPS analogy, I explore the profound lessons in how holding onto what we know can rob us of a new route that actually might work better!  Be very careful of what you are certain of in business, work and life. Tune in for this shorty episode that might just shift your mindset and change your approach! 

          Show Notes: 

          Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

          • [0:48] The Speaker Who Inspired This Episode

          • [1:20] Always Striving to Factor New Information 

          • [1:56] The GPS Analogy 

          • [6:39] The Blind Spot for Business Owners

          • Episode Show Notes 

            Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

            Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

            Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

            Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

            Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

            Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 

            Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page. 

            10 min
          • #80: Understanding Yourself: How Assessments Help Us

            I LOVE assessments! I do, I’m not going to lie to you. Today, I’m talking about how assessments can help us understand ourselves in all different aspects. I am diving into the world of assessments, beyond just the typical personality quizzes. Assessments including  Myers-Briggs, DISC, and Strengths Finder can illuminate your strengths, communication style, and leadership approach. I am also discussing my own corporate journey, showcasing how assessments helped transform my own leadership style and personal development. It’s important to understand that learning more about your specific strengths not only enhances your own performance but also improves team dynamics and productivity! Listen to the whole episode to learn more about a SPECIAL upcoming episode which will include a live assessment breakdown by an expert, offering actionable insights for personal growth. Tune in now! 

            Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

            • [1:44] My Experience with Assessments 

            • [6:07] This is What  I Advocate for in Business

            • [9:07] The Sports Team Analogy 

            • [12:19] Planting the Seed For You

            • [16:19]An Exciting SURPRISE For Listeners! 

            • Here are my favorite assessments: 

              DISC, Values, Clifton Strengths, Enneagram(iEQ9), Love Languages, 16 Personalities KOLBE,

              Get access to all of these AND a free profile at Understand.me: https://understand.me/

              DISC, Values, Clifton Strengths, Enneagram, Love Languages, 16 Personalities

              Episode Show Notes 

              Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

              Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

              Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

              Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

              Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

              Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 


              Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

              19 min
            • #79: ONE TOUGH CHICK: Flipping Your Mindset - Interview with Stacey Uhrig

              SERIES UPDATE: ONE TOUGH CHICK is BACK! We are getting ready to start production on the next season of this special interview series with powerful women leaders that have bossed up BIG in business and in life!  The series features inspiring women that founded their own company, became leaders in their communities or navigated challenges in life and through our interview they share their journey. With questions that reveal how they did it, barriers they faced, whether they had support from their family or partner, etc. they are asked to share the lessons they learned. To preview the next episodes starting in the next months, we are sharing the FIRST EVER One Tough Chick -- get ready for this tough chick!

              In this episode, I welcome Stacey Uhrig, The Mindset Flipper. Stacey has had an amazing bossing up journey - starting her own company with her husband and family, then closing that business and pivoting to create a whole new career with her true gifts of intuition, compassion and personal strength. Known as The Mindset Flipper, Stacey brings emotional strength, resilience, and post-traumatic wisdom to her clients as a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach. She helps people identify patterns and limiting core beliefs developed in childhood and teaches them the tips, tricks, and tools on how to FLIP them as adults leading to more joy and connection. As a practitioner who utilizes modalities like Hypnosis and Rapid Transformational Therapy, Stacey helps her clients gain clarity and empower themselves to look at their life challenges through a different lens, Flip their Mindset, and find greater purpose and more importantly PEACE in life.


              Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

              • [2:55] Stacey’s Path to Becoming the ‘Mindset Flipper’

              • [11:59] A Really Common Experience for Business Owners

              • [18:06] “It was the worst thing we ever went through and yet the greatest gift we ever received.”

              • [30:21] Know Your Truth and Trust Your Knowing

              • [48:44] The Growing Pains of a Business

              • Episode Show Notes 

                Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

                Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

                Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

                Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

                Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

                Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 
                Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

                59 min
              • #78: CREATING LEADERS: The Problem with Leadership Today

                NEW SERIES premiering soon on Finding the Upside! We are working on our brand new series “Creating Leaders” where I will be interviewing those that are shaping the next wave of leaders.  It’s a task that those who are called to this purpose thrive at, redefining how people lead, and changing the old model of leadership that is flawed.  As a precursor to our first episode premiering in a few weeks, here is an early episode where I discuss that flawed model and reveal the reasons why many “leaders” are failing and ways to change that..

                Have you ever thought about how leaders get into leadership?  Most are promoted into a managerial role or leadership role because they were good at their job, not because they had the skills or experience.  Isn't that crazy how any other field requires some experience or qualification at the entry point? The most important skills for the job are overlooked and sadly, many times not even a focus to be developed.  The result?  Negative outcomes that impact businesses everyday.  In this episode, Maria discusses the cause and impact of this problem in leadership and how to escape it.  Leaders that recognize their need to gain the skills and experience are the ones that have the best outcomes, for themselves, the business and their people. 


                Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

                • [0:34] The Issue of How People Become Leaders 

                • [2:57] To Be An Effective Leader, You Have to… 

                • [5:55] Insight from Stephen Covey’s ‘Trust and Inspired’

                • [11:43] So The Secret Is… 

                • [16:45] Why Becoming a Student of Leadership is Important

                • Episode Show Notes 

                  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

                  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

                  Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website


                  Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

                  Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

                  Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 
                  Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

                  20 min
                • #77: Making Time for Creativity: Why Traditional Corporate/Business Structure Doesn’t Support This

                  I don’t think anyone would disagree that in our work, pushing back from the desk and taking time to think, reflect and process would be a welcomed practice…but do we actually do it?  If not, WHY? In our  crazy, insane society and culture today we don't do this and there isn’t a place for it in traditional corporate business structure.  The truth is creativity is limited and not encouraged enough because leaders are actually modeling a structure that doesn’t support it.  In today’s episode, I am talking about  the necessity of making time for creativity. I share insights into creating a workplace environment that encourages reflection and ideation, fostering a culture where the best ideas can thrive.  I give my best actionable strategies for implementing this practice into your company that balances this need and maintaining productivity.. Tune in to this shorty episode to discover what making time for creativity will do for you and business.


                  Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

                  • [0:31] Making the Time for Creativity In Our Crazy Work Days

                  • [2:47] ‘Corporate Think’ Doesn’t Allow For Creativity 

                  • [7:51] Awareness in your Corporate Structure  

                  • [13:43] Why Leaders May FEAR Giving Permission to be Creative 

                  • [17:04] My Advice on How to Support a Creative Workplace 

                  • Episode Show Notes 

                    Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

                    Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

                    Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

                    Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

                    Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

                    Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 

                    Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page. 

                    22 min
                  • #76: The Last Straw: Why I Left Corporate and Started a Business

                    There are so many people that have left the corporate game to start their own business - and I am one of them.  I find that the story of how that happens widely varies and there are so many off ramps or entry points that lead to owning a business. At the same time, college grads are still being counseled on how to land that amazing corporate job and others who have worked in corporate for years feel like they can’t do anything else. In developing topics for the podcast, one of my team members listed a bunch of ideas and he started with some questions.  He said “Wouldn't it be interesting to ask other people that, you know, that have started a business why they started a business and what was the last straw?” The thought was that people want to hear how to navigate their career journey successfully in the current climate. In today’s episode of Finding the Upside, I reflect on my 20-year corporate journey and share my own personal story behind starting a business and the pivotal moments that led me to make that decision.  I share insights into why more and more individuals are drawn to entrepreneurship in today's climate of autonomy and flexibility. I am giving strategies and tips on how to craft a phased career plan that includes gaining corporate experience, building a side hustle while working a 9 to 5, and ultimately transitioning to entrepreneurship. Start listening now as I give it to you straight!


                    Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

                    • [3:00] Answering the Question: What Was the Last Straw? 

                    • [4:25] Stepping Away from the “Corporate Think” 

                    • [8:34] My Best Advice is… 

                    • [11:06] I Wanted the Autonomy 

                    • [23:31] Map Out the First 10 Years AND Your Next Phase

                    • Episode Show Notes 

                      Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

                      Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

                      Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

                      Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

                      Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

                      Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 


                      Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page.

                      30 min
                    • #75: Forget Balance: How to Achieve Work-Life Integration

                      Work Life Balance is a term that has been historically used referring to a healthy balance between personal and professional life.  While many have strived to achieve this, and corporate leaders have attempted to make changes to their structure to support that concept, it remained elusive.  Today it is often termed the double win, where you can succeed at work and in life. It marks a tipping point where many have realized that balance is not what we should be seeking, but instead integration of the two. 

                       In today’s shorty episode of "Finding the Upside," I am diving into the concept of work life integration. Departing from the traditional notion of work-life balance, I explore how integrating work and personal life can lead to greater satisfaction, lower stress levels, and overall well-being whether you are an entrepreneur or work in a company. I highlight how this approach yields benefits for both groups. Highlighting studies and research findings, I talk about ways to use this approach with examples of how others have achieved positive results and why companies who migrate to support this will see improvements as well.  Tune in now to get the insights I’m sharing to help you achieve a more fulfilling and sustainable approach to work and life.


                      Here’s a quick look at what you can expect from today’s episode…

                      • [1:19] Explaining the Term ‘Double Win’ 

                      • [3:21] How Entrepreneurs Create a Job for Themselves

                      • [4:29] Research on Work Life Integration

                      • [11:53] Being Flexible with Schedules and Work

                      • [17:32] Steps to Achieve Work Life Integration

                      • Episode Show Notes 

                        Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Instagram 

                        Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Facebook⁠  

                        Maria DeLorenzis Reyes | Website

                        Want to scale your business to the next level? GET SCORED NOW  My Scale Factor Formula™ Scorecard takes just 5 minutes and will give you a custom scorecard for your business. Get your Business Scale Ready Score HERE. 

                        Thanks for tuning into Finding The Upside! If you enjoy listening to our podcast, we would greatly appreciate it if you could take a moment to leave us a rating and review HERE. Your feedback is important to us and will help us improve our content and reach more listeners like you. Post a screenshot of you listening on Instagram & tag us @themariadr so we can thank you personally!

                        Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the Finding The Upside podcast! Don’t miss out on future interviews with special guests plus bonus episodes! Follow now! 

                        Never miss a show…get the goods delivered directly to your inbox!  CLICK HERE and find “Email Me New Episodes” at the Bottom of the page. 

                        19 min

                      About Finding The Upside

                      From the publisher's feed

                      In business and in life there is always an upside…finding it is often the challenge. Having a mindset that looks for it and embraces problems as opportunities is the key to thriving. Successful…