Influential SHE Podcast

Hang onto your plates as Deanna tips “diet” on it’s head, delightfully sharing how color can change our lives, influence us, affect our feelings and alter our behavior.   Her wisdom of  “We need to expand the definition of nutrient to mean not just something in the diet that we’re eating, but it’s in the diet of what we’re feeling, it’s in the diet of what we’re thinking and reflecting,”  is spot on in how we treat ourselves to have energy to pursue our passions.  It’s time for all of us to “Think in color, eat in color, live in color!”

Dr. Deanna MInich is an internationally-recognized teacher, author, scientist, speaker, and artist.  She has more than 20 years of diverse, well-rounded experience in the fields of nutrition and functional medicine, including clinical practice, research, product formulation, writing and education.

Deanna’s Ph.D. research focused on essential fatty acid absorption and metabolism, and her Master of Science degree (M.S.) allowed her to explore the health benefits of the colorful, plant-based carotenoids.  She has authored six books on health and wellness, including Eat the Rainbow, and over forty scientific publications.  Currently she is faculty for the Institute for Functional Medicine and the University of Western States.  She has developed an online certification program for health professionals so they can apply the color-coded 7 Systems of Full-Spectrum Health in their practice.  Her lectures are heard by patients and practitioners throughout the world.  

Dr. Minich’s passion is teaching a whole-self approach to nourishment and bridging the gaps between science, spirituality, and art in medicine.  She can be found at deannaminich.com

As a girl Lisa struggled mightily in school, until late middle school when she found something she loved and was really good at - theatre.  Sharing “I learned more about me pretending to be someone else”, Lisa talks about uncovering her true values and translating into living a juicy life with dreams for the kids of the world.  This delightful podcast is about claiming - and living - authentically.  Or as Lisa says  “We’re often told to improve things we’re bad at.  And there’s value in that, as continuous improvement is always healthy.  But there’s nothing wrong with finding the thing you’re good at and doing that!”

 Lisa Mitchell, PhD, is the Director of Education and Audience Engagement at Disney Theatrical Group, where she engages students, teachers, and audiences through Broadway performance and student-driven productions. Current and past field positions include: the Audience Engagement Committee (the Broadway League), the Roger Rees Awards advisory board, the New York City Arts in Education Roundtable board, and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education board. 

 Lisa holds a Doctoral degree in entrepreneurial leadership in education from Johns Hopkins University, an M.S. in educational theater from the City College of New York, and a B.A. in theater from Arizona State University. Her research focuses on developing enduring theater programs in under-resourced schools. She lives with her husband, daughter, and dog in New York and enjoys teaching in higher education and spending time outdoors.

The High Leverage Practice of Story is more than just words - it’s about developing a common understanding and empathy through shared experience.  And wow, are we ever ready to move beyond virtual relationships and get back together to write some new kickass stories!  Deb and Mel share some incredible thoughts from our Story podcast guests to get us started, and announce a new groovy live event (yes virtual, sigh) happening that combines some of our favorite things - books and wine!

Influential women everywhere - time to chatter!  Now more than ever, in this unprecedented time, women need to raise their words and voices. This episode spotlights the High Leverage Practice of Voice and how important it is for women to speak, speak, speak!  Studies and surveys are chockfull of results that reveal women, as different from men, have a higher percentage in holding back the sharing of their thoughts, questions and opinions in public forums.  Deb shares her own vulnerability in this arena with being terrified of public speaking in her 30’s and what she had to do to face the fear.  And in this crazy time in history, our world needs a balance in the voices coming to the fore.  Let’s link arms and be the voice not the echo!

From being a singer and songwriter in big cities to falling in love with a man and the land in rural America, Eliza’s story reveals one possibility after another.  She epitomizes being a “possibilist” always asking “What can we do if this is where we want to get?  How could we do a version of what could be?”  Eliza brings sparkle to this podcast through her engaging story-telling about “listening to the small voice inside that says something has to change” and knowing that is a clue to your authentic self and how possibilities will find you.  And for Eliza, living in a place where there are 3 people per square mile, that has even included making music with a famous ex-rocker!

Eliza Blue is a shepherd, writer and folk-singer.  In addition to her weekly column “Little Pasture on the Prairie,”  which is carried by twelve different publications, she is a regular contributor to South Dakota Public Radio and Prairie Public Radio with her monthly series:  Postcards from the Prairie.

Her first book, Accidental Rancher, a collection of essays about her transition from urbanite to ranch hand, came out in 2020.  Other writing credits include a recent New York Times Op/Ed about ranch life.  Her New television show for SDPB, Wish You Were Here, a traveling concert series celebrating  rural life, debuted in January 2021.  Her creative work and story can be found at www.elizablue.net

Eliza, her rancher husband and two children live in rural northwest South Dakota along with the lambs, chickens and a donkey.

Holidays can wreak havoc with the High Leverage Practice of Bio You.  Typical “tis the season” brings both joy and stress.  Psychology experts tell us that 69% of people are stressed over the holidays, which is especially true for women when marketing messages entice perfection.  And stress can really mess with your brain and gut.  Deb and Mel offer a little 10 minute gift so you can take a breath and listen to your body in the hustle and bustle.

This episode highlights the real need for all of us to step up and accelerate the High Leverage Practice of Connection.  Alarmed by the 2020 Women in the Workplace Study by McKinsey & Co., Deb and Mel dig into the revelation that 1 in 4 women are considering downshifting or leaving their careers.  it’s been a hell of a year for women being more likely to be laid off or furloughed.  Combine that with the reality of raising a family in a now virtual world, and we’re at a crossroads of unprecedented talent drain.  Now more than ever women need to be connected with other women in meaningful ways - to have them know how truly badass they are at what they do and how much they are appreciated.  Practicing amplification is a way we can all do just that, highlight smart ideas and give credit where credit is more than due.

In this episode Deb and Mel rap about the High Leverage Practice of What Is, sharing personal stories about being a fighter and a pleaser.  They talk about how a good truth-slapping helped them see their growing up “what is” in a new light and move beyond it.  Stopping to take a good hard look at what is truly going on is a powerful influential practice of recognition, reflection and reaction. 

A podcast of raw vulnerability, Sara recounts a journey of alcohol addiction, controlling relationships with one culminating in an “intent to kill” assault.  With details that may be difficult to hear, she describes the assault, the outcome of her injuries and putting a “stake in the ground” to reclaim her voice and true self.  This podcast is a story of growth and triumph, where Sara now uses the power of her voice to inspire others to find their own.

Sara Kindvall is a mom, speaker, domestic violence advocate and currently pursuing certification as an accredited life coach.  From the day she woke up from unconsciousness after being beaten only to find her chest bleeding, Sara has fought for her future and for the lives of her two daughters.  With a passion to help others, she speaks out to let others know that they are not alone in their struggles and that a better life is possible.

With daughters as her priority, Sara strives to show them how to thrive in a world of injustices.  Through her strong faith and perspective of gratitude, she now lives as if anything is possible.  Having fought for herself and escaped a terrifying fight that was not physically in her favor, she now believes there is a profound reason for her to carry on.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of I She in Ten, where in 10 minutes Deb and Mel deliver nuggets of wisdom to help you accelerate your influence! In this episode we share how a powerful authentic story can propel you into the “I am having a blast” zone and tap into your best influential self.