Jessica Stone is a Washington-based news correspondent and author of Crossing the Divide:  20 Lessons to Help You Thrive in Cross-Cultural Environments.  Jessica has reported for USA Today, the Washington Times, Fox News, CBS News and the South China Morning Post.  

In this episode, Jessica shares stories from 20 years covering the intersection of business and politics - from her time in Afghanistan to covering Western issues for Chinese media outlets.  

Jessica shares practical tips from her book aimed at helping us better understand each other and work better in collaborative teams.  Jessica reflects on her time in the White House Foreign Press Corps, her experiences covering Obama and Trump and why the truth must still be absolute.

Takeaways

• Cultural understanding and cross-cultural communication are crucial in an increasingly globalized world.  
• Cultural proficiency is as important in small companies as in large, global ones.
• Journalists play a vital role in holding those in power accountable and seeking the truth.
• Taking risks and staying in one place can be just as adventurous as traveling to different locations.
• It's important to embrace life and seize every opportunity, both personally and professionally.

Connect with Jessica
Website
Book
LinkedIn
Instagram
X
Online Course

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers
Website
LinkedIn

Tricia Mumby is a storyteller, entrepreneur and mentor to early-stage startups.  Tricia is honest and vulnerable as she shares tough lessons from co-founding Mabel’s Labels with three best friends in a basement to selling it to the largest label company in the world.  

Tricia shares her take on celebrating failure, keeping your innovative spirit alive as your business grows, being shameless, and how she’s worked to overcome imposter syndrome.  Tricia shares first-hand experiences of entrepreneurs finally finding their tribes and how that’s propelled their businesses forward through viral marketing.  Tricia and Bob also explore the power of community in engaging with customers - and how to maintain that elusive human connection as you grow.  

Takeaways

• Starting a business requires being shameless in pursuing opportunities.
• Big companies should create innovation departments and foster a culture that embraces risk-taking and celebrates failures.
• Mentors play a crucial role in providing guidance and support for entrepreneurs.
• Reflecting on past experiences and skills can help individuals realize their uniqueness and true potential. 
• Creativity plays a significant role in business success, and finding inspiration from others can fuel innovation.
• Engaging with customers and building a loyal community can lead to long-term success.
• The human element is essential in both B2B and B2C interactions, and businesses should focus on connecting with individuals.

Connect with Tricia

Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
X

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers
Website
LinkedIn

Kasey Jones coaches business leaders on the transformative process of building a personal brand.  If you’re not sure what a personal brand is or why you need one, you’re not alone.  Kasey makes the case that by embracing your quirkiness, you’ll stand out and be known for the rockstar that you are.

Kasey is a story-teller at heart.  She shares practical tips on being vulnerable without over-sharing and overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there.  

Bob and Kasey explore the downside of following “experts” on LinkedIn and how you can find your voice while experimenting and building your digital confidence.   Finally, Kasey shares her love of Rick Rubin’s philosophy on finding your creativity and how it’s changed how she approaches her work.

Takeaways

• Authenticity is key in serving your audience and connecting with the people you need to reach.
• Personal branding is essential for individuals and businesses to grow and connect with their audience.
• Finding the right business model for you is crucial to building a business that aligns with your strengths and passions.
• Best practices from “experts” are rarely right for you and your unique circumstances.
• Creating unique content and differentiating yourself is essential to standing out in a crowded market.
• Artistry and creativity should be at the core of personal branding, focusing on creating content that resonates with the creator and their audience.

Connect with Kasey
Website
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok

Resources:

The Creative Act: A Way of Being, Rick Rubin
Steal like an Artist, Austin Kleon
Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered,  Austin Kleon

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers
Website
LinkedIn

Rob Carli is a multi-award-winning musician, producer and composer for film and television.  Rob has had a storied career in music, from his early days touring the country in an Econoline van to most recently co-founding the Awesome Music Project, a not-for-profit dedicated to delivering practical solutions to mental health through the transformative power of music.  

In this episode, Rob shares how people can find their creativity in the most unlikely of places and how staying curious can help carve out new paths you’d never have imagined for yourself.  Rob believes it is our fear of judgment that holds us back from putting ourselves out there and that overcoming this is the key to reinventing yourself as your career evolves.  

Rob also makes the case that as technology plays a larger role in our lives, we’ve lost intimacy with each other through simple rituals like cooking and sharing live music. Let’s get it back.

Takeaways

• Creativity can be sparked by finding a state of mind where you are free from judgment and self-consciousness.
• Work should be seen as a journey rather than a destination.  You have never “made it”.
• The narrative of careers is changing, and people are embracing multiple careers and diversifying their skills. Diversification and curiosity can lead to personal and professional growth.
• Music can be a powerful tool for healing and improving mental health.
• Rituals play a crucial role in creating a sense of purpose and connection.

For more information about Rob or to connect with him, check out these links:

Rob Carli’s Website
The Awesome Music Project
Instagram: Awesome Music Project
X

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers
Website
LinkedIn

Hi, I'm Bob Mathers and welcome to the Growth Mixtape, a podcast where I talk to the most interesting people you may not have come across yet. I find that these conversations give me new insights and perspectives about topics I didn’t know existed.

Please join me for stories from engaging leaders in business, the sciences, academia and the arts. It is these unexpected collisions that I’m excited to explore in this new podcast; the further from our comfort zone, the better. 

My goal in every episode is to provide you with a surprising insight that you can apply right now to get unstuck and start building the business and the life you've always wanted.

These conversations might not seem to have a lot in common at first. But just like songs on a mixtape, they create something memorable and emotional. So, let's press play and see what we learn about ourselves.

What did you think of today's episode? We want to hear from you!

Thank you for listening today. Please take a moment to rate and subscribe to our podcast. Here is how you can connect with us at the Growth Mixtape podcast.

Connect with Bob Mathers
Website
LinkedIn