Inspiration With Val | Your Daily Dose of Inspiration | Get Inspired * Get Un-stuck * Get Happy

 In this podcast episode:

• Josh Driver described incorporating philanthropy into entrepreneurship
• Josh tells us a shocking fact about the new "religious freedom restoration act" that is being passed on Indiana.
• Josh talks about his time on hardball with Chris Matthews and what it has been like being in the middle of an international media frenzy!

Background:

Chad L. Coe, CWS, is an internationally recognized expert in wealth management strategies. He founded Coe Financial Group, Inc. in 1998 and is known for his values-based approach and focus on both personal well being and financial security. Chad specializes in structuring programs based on personal values, objectives, and risk tolerance. Another dimension of services offered at Coe Financial is the customization and management of portfolios for estate preservation as well as optimization in times of transition.

Chad is also a highly respected business coach and connector of business people. He encourages and motivates others to assert themselves positively in the world and, ultimately, to give back. He presides over several influential networking groups and is the author of “The Power of Peopletizing: Networking Your Way To Financial Freedom.” Chad is an international speaker whose keen insight into human interaction and ability to make quality business connections to be effective in today’s “Relationship Economy.”

In this Episode Chad talked about:

• How to inspire others and improve your leadership skills
• How to challenge yourself and believe in true inspiration
• At Mastermind connections, he will inspire us the power of personal initiative
• Know the principles of success

Links:

http://www.mastermindconnections.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadcoe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chadcoe

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chadcoe

So many of my clients tell me that they would feel incredibly regretful and frustrated if they found themselves in the same place next year where they are now.  But, unfortunately that's exactly what happens to 95% of us.

Don't let another year go by with regrets - take action today to create an action plan that will allow YOU to achieve all of your goals and dreams this year.

Sign up for a free coaching call to learn more about how you can make that happen at http://www.meetme.so/ValerieGroth.

www.InspirationWithVal.com

In this episode, Val dives deep into the importance of establishing a morning routine to set up your day for success and productivity.  Stay tuned for specific action steps on how you can make your own morning power routine!

Listen to more Inspiration With Val Podcast episodes at www.InspirationWithVal.com.

Sign up for my email newletter and receive a FREE pdf guide "10 Top Tips to Finding Your Passion, Overcoming Fear, and Living a Love That You Love!" by texting VAL to 38470 {no spam, just inspiration!}

PODCAST EPISODE 101 WITH MARY DAVID:

SUMMARY:

Mary David, J.D. is an advocate for victims of trauma and  an internationally recognized human trafficking expert. Formerly the United Nations Advisor on women and children for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, Mary is currently a freelance writer and motivational speaker. She helped to draft some of the first laws in Maryland against human trafficking and was named one of the Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders in the World by the Diplomatic Courier. Mary speaks regularly at conferences, universities, and on radio and television programs. She is the former Deputy Chair of Public Awareness on the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force and recently moderated an American Bar Association panel on domestic violence in Asia. She is a member of the South Asian and Foreign Affairs Association. Mary is a graduate of The George Washington University Law School, where she specialized in international human rights law. She works to unite different sectors of society against human trafficking in policy, fashion, film, and the arts.

People strive to be their best. 7:09

Mary believes that it is important to have people around you who are in your core network to really encourage and support you to be your best self.  Mary also added that a lot of times adversity can really bring out the best changes in us and that we are capable of rising to the challenge.

About her experiences.  9:48

Mary shared an experience from her trip in Cyprus a few years ago. She was there to study abroad and she became interested in learning about new cultures and new people.  But she found that there was a huge population of lower class domestic workers who experienced a great deal of discrimination.  Many individuals thought that Mary, based on her skin tone, was one of those individuals, and she faced much discrimination as a result.  She began to reach out to the workers about their experiences and they told their stories to her.  While it was difficult to see people hurting so much, they also become a source of her strength.  Mary wasn’t yet aware of the extent of human trafficking yet, and she began to piece together that the women and girls on the street corners, and the intimidating men keeping close tabs on them, were in fact slaves.  She decided to come back home to the US and do everything she could to help them.

Her definition of Human Trafficking. 15:25

Human trafficking, according to Mary David, is” someone being tricked or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation.” Human trafficking is kind of a misnomer because it implies that people are being moved but in actuality they may live in one place. Mary said the key aspect is the fact that they are being exploited.

Myths of Human Trafficking 16:36

Some people think that boys are not being trafficked for sex but they are, and the average of entry for boys in the sex industry is between 11 and 13 years old. The numbers on human trafficking statistics reveals are not always accurate, and many people don't want to come forward even when when they have been taken out of that situation because of all of the stigma tied to it.  

The idea of beauty related to Human Trafficking. 34:35

Many people don’t realize that the beauty industry is very heavily tied to human trafficking.  Often, traffickers target women and girls who they think could be potential victims, will tell that they they are beautiful, and those individuals will get lured into human trafficking.  In many ways this ties in to the beauty industry as well as the concepts of self confidence, which play a big role.

Great advice from Mary David: 45:22

Mary advises investing time in building relationships with good mentors: finding people who are doing something you want to do and having them help you get to where you want to be .

Links:

www.facebook.com/public.figure.marydavid

Twitter @MissMaryDavid

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-david/

http://www.diplomaticourier.com/lists/top-99-under-33/2013/1762-mary-david

http://inspiher.me/everyday-sheroes-mary-david/

Learn more about the Inspiration With Val Podcast and about Val's coaching packages at www.InspirationWithVal.com.

Podcast Episode: with Andrew Bennett

Transform your life with magic. "Appear, Disappear, Restore"

Summary:

No one's journey is easy. Everyone is handed adversity in life. Adversity can keep us from achieving our goals and finding our happiness. So when adversity strikes us, how do we overcome it? If you cultivate the right attitude and take actions to get what you want and deserve overcoming adversity is fast and easy.

Andrew Bennett is an author, speaker, Ross Perot’s personal assistant, and has been a magician for 45 years. He talks about how adversities have shaped his life for the better. He shares his stories and how his experiences convert itself into an opportunity to exhibit excellence. There is something special about the ability for  magic to help us overcome adversities. If you want to be on your way to the life you've dreamed of, Andrew’s powerful advice will work magic in your life.

Life story of Andrew Bennett: (1:13)

At 3 years old Andrew lost his mother and sister when they were  killed by a drunk driver. When his father met someone he was left behind to stay with his grandparents, while his father took his older brother with him when he left. So, at 4 years old, Andrew lost both of his parents and his siblings. However, being raised by his grandparents was the highlight of his life.It was his grandfather who introduced him to magic and he idolized his grandfather. Unfortunately,  when Andrew was 17,, his grandfather committed suicide.

How he thought of success before (3:15)

Andrew used to think  that success meant putting out a suit, going to the office, and being in a white collar environment.  His grandfather started out as a janitor in a bank in a small town where he grew up. And by the time his grandfather retired he was the president of the bank.

Misfortunes of his life (4:22)

Andrew Bennett was a magician his entire life and was also a businessman. He owned a company when he was 12 years old where he did some magic shows . While he was doing that, he put himself through college. When he graduated he wanted to go into business. When he was 40 years old, he built his dreamhouse and the house was infested with molds. He ended up losing the home, all he invested, and he went bankrupt. In the next apartment that he moved into, the lightning struck the roof above the bedroom, a fire started and the roof collapsed.  He lost everything financially and everything materially. Internally, Andrew suffered from depression and bitterness.

Surviving the tragic in his life: 8:00

Andrew credits being raised in a joyful childhood for being the foundation that was able to keep him going, even in the face of tragedy.  He also felt extremely devastated by his grandfather’s suicide, and he promised himself that he would never give up no matter how hard it got.

The transformation of his life: (11:05)

After Andrew  was spurred by a mid-life crisis, a near-death experiences, and a painful loss, he accepted  the situation and took actions towards the life that he wants. He harnessed the power of intention and resolved the conflict by himself. He used his skills and did magic concept as a strategy to start a new life “Appear, Disappear and Restore”. The obstacles that stood his way has made him very successful today.

Coping with tragedies. (14:52)

When Andrew went to think about what happened to his life, he was reflecting for a while, and eventually he was able to overcome the emotional effects of the situation and get back with his life. He said, “Don't be afraid to show how you're really feeling with it, you may be injured at the moment and it may be shocking at first but it will pass away. Just breath and remember to stay positive. Accept yourself that you are already in the situation and focus on how happy you are to be alive and well.”

The Story of Elm tree 18:25

Andrew grew up on a cherry tree farm near Traverse City, MI. On that farm is an old elm tree unlike any other elm tree in the area. The prior owners of the farm, he recounts, raised livestock and kept their bull chained to the tree. It was a heavy iron chain, wrapped around the trunk of the tree and connected to the bull’s collar. The restless bull would walk in a circle around the tree for hours, wearing a path in the ground while the chain was wearing a groove in the tree’s trunk.

When the prior owners sold the farm, they cut the chain and took the bull, leaving a section of chain around the tree trunk. Several years later, the chain had tightened and settled into the groove because the tree has grown. Several more years later, the bark has begun to grow over the chain. Several more years later, the chain has been absorbed into the trunk. Today, a scar is all that remains, but as a child Bennett remembers links of the chain still being visible.

What makes the tree even more unique is that it is one of the few remaining elm trees in Michigan. Approximately 90% of the elm trees in Michigan were wiped out by Dutch elm disease. So how did this particular tree survive? Scientists from Michigan State University have visited Bennett’s farm several times in search of an answer. They believe that the iron absorbed into the tree’s system gave it the strength to resist the disease.

The farm holds mixed memories for Andrew whose grandfather committed suicide in the barn next to the elm tree. During a return visit, Andrew Bennett was staring at the scar on the tree when it suddenly dawned on him – from the tree’s scar came from its strength. Andrew then realized that his own emotional scars from his grandfather’s suicide could become his source of strength. He didn’t have to feel guilt and sadness. His memories of his grandfather, many of them about how his grandfather nurtured his interest in magic, could be leveraged into determination. That determination, in large part, is what drove him to become a successful speaker and magician.

The powerful concept of magic. (34:52)

Andrew began to look at his life as an art and science of transformation.  

He started a leadership and organizational culture consulting and training firm. He uses magic in a powerful way to engage people to  open their minds and stimulate powerful learning.

The Core of magic. (40:20)

At the core of Andrew’s Transformation Frame are three primary acts required  for transformation – Appear,  Disappear  and Restore. If you want to transform  your organization or your life, think about what things you need to make appear, what things you want to go away, and  what things that need to be healed and restored. What are these things for you?

What does it mean by the word"ABRACADABRA". (43:37)

“Abracadabra” has Aramaic roots."What I speak, is what I create". What you speak to others is what you create in your life.

Being skeptical. (48:48)

Andrew learned that there is some dissonance that is created in our human brains when we see something impossible becoming possible.

Transform your life like magic! Learn more at Andrew’s website.

{Find more podcasts like this, inspirational blog posts, and more at www.InspirationWithVal. Sign up for the Carpe Diem Daily 12 Month Challenge by texting VAL to 38470 - no spam, just inspiration!}

PODCAST EPISODE 99 WITH SEAN OGLE

About Sean Ogle: 3:56

Sean Ogle had a traditional life like anyone else. He went to high school and college and before he graduated college from Oregon State University in 2007 with a degree in finance, he had already gotten a job as a financial analyst.  He had a fantastic time during his  4 years in school, but Sean couldn’t help but feel that he wasn’t prepared for his real life and he wanted to learn more tangible skills that he thought he needed to be successful after graduation. This led him to a job as a financial analyst that he quickly found wasn’t for him.  He had no free time. He was working 50 hours a week, wearing a suit and tie, and not having any of the flexibility to do the things that excites him.

Sean Ogle said that it all began on a trip to Brazil in 2009. He’d saved up all of his vacation time to head down to Rio for Carnival with one of his best friends.  It was the last day of his trip and he was walking down Copacabana Beach with a coconut in his hand and all he could think was “I should be able to do this whenever I want.” Over the next 6 months Sean started Location 180, sold his car, left his job, started a business and then in January of the following year he moved to Thailand. Location 180 is all about doing the stuff you really want to be doing in life. He specifically talks a lot about travel and entrepreneurship, and how it can be a great vehicle for reaching your goals. Sean’s primary business is his community Location Rebel – but he has a half a dozen other small businesses built around various interests of his.

Location 180 and Location Rebel. 3:46

Sean noticed there really wasn’t a good community for people looking to build a location independent business. So he created Location Rebel with the idea that he wanted a premium offering, where if someone was willing to invest in themselves and work hard – there would be no reason why they wouldn’t be able to build a successful business. Nearly 3 years later Sean has over 600 members, and a large chunk of them have left their jobs and are doing things on their own terms.

One of the biggest surprises about this process has been just how diverse the group of people they have is. It’s comprised of pepole from 20 year old college students who don’t want to go into the corporate world, to 45 year old single moms, and 63 year old retirees. Sean says that anyone can build this type of business, if the desire to do it is there.

Fear of Uncertainty. 10:32

Sean said after he lost his job he was uncertain of what will happen next to his life. He was uncertain how to pay his rent and his bills, and he was also uncertain if he could still get a good job. But he realized that the uncertainty that he had was also his motivation to make certain things happen. And that is the mindset the entrepreneur has to have in order to be successful.

The Secret of his success: 15:01

Sean gives tutorials to people who went through his situation. He helped people figure out how to make this lifestyle work for themselves. He also gives inspiration to people on how to do different things to build their business. He said the most important points to consider in order to succeed is how to build community online. Sean has helped dozens of people quit their jobs and build successful online businesses over the past year.

Sean’s greatest success is the fact that he built a business that allows him to do what he wants, when he wants. He still have to pinch himself on a regular basis!  There are the more superficial successes like building a 6-figure business, or a big email list. But frankly, it’s the fact that Sean built something that has helped both himself and hundreds of other people achieve a life that they’re actually excited about, that I think is the most important.

Walking through his book Location Rebel 16:11

Sean Ogle said that everyone is different, but they usually have variations of the same problem: they aren’t happy doing what they’re doing and want to change.

The most successful people he work with have without fail have followed the 3 step process:

1) Build relevant skills – WordPress, SEO, Copywriting, Social media. Start a blog and get familiar with all of these things.

2) Freelance one of these skills – This builds income and confidence. Once you have those two things, it gets much easier to start a business that’s a bit sexier like e-commerce, apps, info products, etc.

3) Apply these skills to your own projects: Most people start with this step, and that’s why the fail – they don’t have the proper groundwork laid out to be successful.

Best Advice: 43:43

Sean said, “Start a blog and find a group that has the same interests with you. Even if you’re working on your own, you’ll be facing an uphill battle if you don’t have a few people to turn to for support. “

Links:

Sean Ogle’s Books:

Location 180

Location Rebel

Official Website: http://www.seanogle.com/

Twitter: Sean Ogle

LinkedIn: Sean Ogle

www.InspirationwithVal.com

Podcast Episode 98 with Rachael Markarian:

Summary:

Rachael Markarian is an actress & dancer training throughout Boston, New York City, and Los Angeles. Despite being told she would never be a dancer based on a physical disability she was born with, Rachael immersed herself in the performing arts at a very young age. She fine tuned her skills while pursuing her dream to become a triple threat and now is an acclaimed actress and model in Hollywood.

About how Rachael Markarian started her life as a dancer: 6:10

Rachael is the youngest in the family with her two elder brothers and was very shy as a child.  She used to hide in her mother’s skirt because she was so shy! Her mother took her to dance classes so that she would learn to feel more comfortable with other people.  Even though she was born with legs and hips that were completed inverted and needed to wear braces, she attended class - and hated it at first.   It was hard, painful, and she had to work harder at it than the rest of the kids.  When Rachael was 12 years old, she finally realized that she loved to dance.  

The power of positive thinking: 11:04

Rachael could have easily chosen not to pursue dancing because of her disability, but she challenged herself to work hard and rise about the situation.  She used the power of positive thinking and never took failure as a finality, but always as an opportunity to do things better the next time.

Rachael’s professional career 21:11

While Rachael worked as a model for awhile, she is not transitioning into her career as an actress.  Rachael swears that one’s mentality sets them apart from others, and that it’s all about confidence and the vision you have for yourself.  It’s so important to believe in yourself that you are doing what you are meant to do.

Getting used of the rejection in the entertainment industry. 30:43

Rachael’s way of dealing rejection is by using redirection. Rachael’s perspective at tough auditions was to do her best, have fun with it, and take the opportunity to do what she loved and showcase her talent.

Rachael’s gained respect and success: 42:19

Rachael now works as a professional dancer, touring and dancing alongside artists such as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Pink, Kanye West and Justin Timberlake to name a few. In addition, she's had much success as an actress in Film, TV and Commercials, allowing her to work with some of the industries top directors & producers. Rachael trained with Stella Adler's protégé, Arthur Mendoza at The Actors Circle Theatre in Hollywood for many years, fine tuning her skills and perfecting her technique. She now studies with Cameron Thor at Carter Thor Studios, and with Candy Kaniecki. Knowing there's an advantage to being a multifaceted entertainer, Rachael brings a lot to the table as an artist. You can see her in 2013 in Steven Soderbergh's new film with Michael Douglas, Behind The Candelabra, also the film Lucky Stiff, starring Jason Alexander, as well as Fuse TV's new show The Hustle.

Rachael’s Greatest Advice:  49:05

“Find out what your heart beats for, what gets you excited, and then do that whether it’s a profession or hobby, and have a sense of excitement and gratitude!”

Links:

Twitter: @RachelMarkarian

{Learn more at www.InspirationWithVal.com}

Podcast Episode 97 with Jon Acuff:

SUMMARY:

If you are ready to be in-charge of your own destiny,  and your current job is making you uncomfortable then there is absolutely no reason you should continue putting up with it. When you leave your job, you have to make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons. If you don't try to solve the problems at your day job to the best of your ability, then you may face the same problems at your new job. If you want to know how to quit your day job in a way that minimizes damage and maintains a positive relationship then this episode will be of great interest to you!

Jon Acuff is an author who has written numerous best selling books, a speaker, and a blogger who talks about how to quit your day job, what to do, what not to do, and also talks about his best selling book entitled “Start:  How to punch fear in the face, escape average, and do work that matters”.

About Jon Acuff. (2:25)

Jon was a copywriter major who worked in journalism for about 16 years.  He worked for advertising clients and corporations. About  7 years ago, his friend recommended that he should start a blog and so Jon started to create a blog. Out of that, he wrote a book.  Seven months ago, he Jon decided to got off on his own and has currently written four books and is working on a new one. Jon speaks and works as a consultant.   He has been married for almost 13 years now and got 2 daughters.

Great jobs don’t just happened, you have  to make them happen. [00:03:37]

Jon said that many people don’t have the right approach to quit their job.    To do it smartly Jon said keep the conversation concise and positive. It is not a time to air all of the personal and unprofessional issues you had with your job.   When planning to quit, make sure to put in your due diligence on your side hustle.  If you can get up half an  hour early and do work, then there is way to find extra time. If you aren’t willing to get up half an  hour early and if your dream isn’t worth half an hour sleep, then you don’t have the right dream.

About his book, How to punch fear in the face: [00:13:20]

In this book, Jon reveals the steps to getting unstuck and back onto the path of being awesome. Over the last 100 years, the road to success for most people has been divided into predictable stages. But three things have changed the path to success: Boomers are realizing that a lot of the things they were promised aren't going to materialize, and as a result they have started second and third careers. Technology has given access to an unprecedented number of people who are building online empires and changing their lives and changing their lives that would have been impossible years ago. The days of "success first, significance later," have ended. While none of the stages can be skipped, they can be shortened and accelerated. There are only two paths in life: average and awesome. The average path is easy because all you have to do is nothing. The awesome path is more challenging, because things like fear only bother you when you do work that matters. The good news is Jon’s book Start gives readers practical, actionable insights to be more awesome, more often.

Actions leads intention moving forward is hard [00:18:45]

Jon said the thing that holds us back is often that we think it has to be perfect. That is the thing  that ruins our dreams - thinking that you have to have the perfect one before you begin. Nobody knows the things are going to be successful like any leaders can attest.   Lean in to the action, the story goes where it needs to go and it is the same with your life. Things happen when you lease expect it.

Jon’s Social Media Management Skills:  [00:23:15]

Jon is a social media expert with blogs that have been read by 4 million people and more than 215,000 twitter followers. In 2010 he used his influence with his tribe to build two kindergartens in Vietnam.  He advised the listeners  to have fun with social media sites and do some experiments such as to go where your audiences are.   Jon said that you don’t need to sign up for all of the social media platforms, but rather that it’s good to have one or more platform where you excel and to focus your time there.

Inspirations in his life.[00:25:58]

Jon says his inspirations are his family members.. His father has become his great influence in terms of public speaking. Seeing his dad communicate with people in the church where he worked was a good learning experience for Jon. That influence he took from his father has inspired him to write for a living, and now he writes business books and loves is.  

Daily habits of Jon Acuff. [00:31:07]

When Jon is writing a book, he writes like a maniac, but he makes it a point to find a balance with his career and family life.   Jon writes better when he gets to exercise.

Pulling  towards the opportunity versus pushing your way towards opportunity[00:34:49] Anything great takes time and it takes real hard work and effort to make good things happen in your life.

Jon’s legacy [00:36:28]

Jon’s legacy are his children. He wants his kids to be so filled with love so that when obstacles come their way they can deal with the obstacles without having their self esteem take a hit.   And the love of his wife and serving people are also part of his legacy.

Jon’s advice for the listener. (38:48)  

Jon said, practice what you want to do and find ways to practice in small ways. Give yourself some grace and then cut the goal in half. F orgive yourself. Do not form relationships only with people who can help you your business, but who also provide real friendship.

Links:

Acuff.me

Twitter: @JonAcuff

The Inspiration With Val website:  www.InspirationWithVal.com

Learning more about Valliant Coaching:  http://www.inspirationwithval.com/packages/

Text VAL to 38470 to sign up for the Carpe Diem Daily 12 Month Challenge - no spam, just inspiration!

This interview with business coach Simon Granner gets into the nitty gritty of the factors that set a thriving business apart from one that flounders.  However, his advice appeals to all areas of life - not just for entrepreneurs.  Simon has had a plethora of unique life experiences ranging from living in Australia to starting a surfing company in college even though he had no idea how to surf.  He also talks about why you should NOT "niche down", offering systems tips to help you reach success in all areas of your life, and talks a great deal about the mindset of a champion.

SUMMARY:

Simon Granner is a business coach and the host of the top-ranked business podcast, The Simon Granner Show where his mission is to educate, entertain and motivate his listeners through interviews with today’s most inspiring entrepreneurs.

Traveling 6:00

Simon starts off the interview by sharing some of his thoughts about living in Chicago. He loves to travel. He lived for about 2 months in Australia to study. He also traveled around  Europe. And he would love to eventually travel to every continent.

Growing up 13:10

At a young age, Simon considered himself as an entrepreneur. He would go to his local newspaper to ask for paper routes and even mowed his neighbors lawns. In high school, he knew he like investing and financing and how money works. So in college he studied finance and marketing.

Getting to the right path 26:30

Simon never really had a clear path towards anything but he knew he needed to learn some foundational business skills.  So he took the opportunity to work for his uncle, who was a successful business man. Then he got fully licenced as a financial adviser.

Where to get good advice 30:35  

Simon also talked about where he got advice on how to succeed in the business world.

Links:

Simon Granner's website

Simon on Twitter:@simongranner