It's Not All Bad

I'm grateful to listeners of my podcast.  A couple of you have asked why I and my guests have not discussed the hot button issue of race.  Indeed, I wanted to have discussions about people, successes, organizational excellence, leadership, and empowerment.  When race becomes the topic we all know that it's a minefield if not discussed thoughtfully and without rancor or accusations.  This subject often evokes sentiments of anger, guilt, resentment, and even hopelessness.  The feelings of hopelessness is because even as our society has made serious progress in racial discourse and tolerance, there are still demonstrably racist actions that desires to negate such positive movement.

Well, I've listened to you and on this this solo episode, I will touch somewhat lightly but significantly about race, especially discourse between Black people and White people.  I do hope you listen not in judgment of the other, but in understanding the justifiable disappointment Black people often feel when our nation stumbles to live up to its promise, which it often does just as there is demonstrable progress.  Also, it's important for Black people to acknowledge and appreciate that not all White people are practitioners of racism or oppression.

And for all races and ethnicities, both of these perceived overall identities are social constructs that are not based in DNA or facts, but have been accepted as truth to the detriment of our society and those of other nations.  Is it possible to acknowledge and accept differences in colors, genders, nationalities, and even religions?  Yes, of course.  Unfortunately, when the lights of those possibilities actual shine through our prejudices and bring hope, there always appears to be someone, some group,  some demographic, or even a political movement to dim the hopes with racist intent, tropes, and actions.  May we continue to resist the worst of our learned negative social constructs.

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

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International commerce is complicated, especially when considering environmental concerns, societal impact, sourcing, international trade pacts, intellectual property rights, differing business ethics, local political systems of government, and complex legal issues.  So, who or what entities help commercial companies navigate these issues of international commerce to help ensure businesses receive accurate information concerning their ventures overseas?  

To help answer this question is my guest, Veracity Worldwide CEO Daniel "Dan" Crocker.  Dan is a former US Diplomat, international commerce expert, and holds advance degrees from University of Virginia, MIT, and Princeton.  My conversation with Dan helped peel away some of the complexities of international commerce during which he also explained how he and Veracity assist companies with commerce information associated with the respective countries.  Indeed, Veracity Worldwide's reach is extensive with offices in New York, London, Tokyo, and Melbourne.  

As our conversation progressed, I was drawn into the depth of his knowledge and also his commitment to corporate and personal social responsibility.  True to this commitment, Dan is a board member of the "Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington."

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

Guest's company affiliation:  https://veracityworldwide.com/ 

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own. and not affiliated with any government entity.**

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

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It appears that so much of human relations are based on generational perceptions.  To this point, there are letters assigned to each generation grouping to further define everyone.  Yes.  Much of the findings about generational specific behaviors are confirmed by rigorous research, analysis, and via various studies.  However, these generational alphabet associations have at times caused a generational divide instead of increased understanding.

To help us sift through some of the nomenclatures, perceptions, and facts is my special guest today - Summer Shaffer.  Summer is a highly sought after speaker and consultation in helping audiences, companies, and other organizations understand and increase understanding of this important topic.  Summer is the co-founder of Moxis LLC (https://moxis-co.com/), along with company co-founder Deborah Meyer, which seeks to bridge the generational divide.  As an aide to better understanding our generational unity instead of division, here's the link to Summer and Moxis LLC's helpful and free resource guide for additional thought and consideration:  http://tinyurl.com/559sn4kj

Indeed, this chat with Summer provided much needed enlightenment on this subject.  I hope you have come away with a similar understanding that different generations, well, they are not all bad (sorry for the play on words)!

You can follow Moxis on social media:  Instagram - @moxis_llc   | LinkedIn: Moxis-LLC

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

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There are quite a few challenges faces us over the last two years, and many have remained in 2021.  What challenges you ask?  COVID-19 pandemic, income inequality, domestic violence, an epidemic of loneliness, increased unemployment, the high costs of healthcare, and the continued erosion of productive political discourse just to name a few.  I realize discussing such depressing issues doesn't appear to mesh with the title of my podcast, "It's Not All Bad."  But it's good for any society to acknowledge its challenges in proper discourse, absent the rancor, as a way to develop and agree on solutions to serious problems.

My guest co-host for this episode is Michael Ma.  Indeed, my very first episode included interviewing Mike as a guest during which we chatted about the current state of affairs with political discourse in the United States.  Mike is a Naval Academy graduate, former Naval Officer, former US Diplomat, and previously served in the White House during the George W. Bush Administration and previously served as Executive Assistant to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.  

Maybe similar to you, Mike and I don't have solutions to any of these problems.  Still, we imagine you may be having similar conversations with family, friends, and colleagues.  Well, Mike and I are doing the same on this episode.  

NOTE:  The comments of this Podcast's host, guests, and guest co-hosts are their own and not affiliated with any group, organization, or past or present individual.

Thank you for listening.  If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

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I'm still amazed at the complications, endless love, and often some work/professional sacrifices women put forth as stay at home moms.  Indeed, many husbands and partners who are also stay at home dads also face similar joy and challenges.  I decided to invite a guest to chat about this very issue.  His name is Lou Moree who is a stay at home dad.  In fact, Lou is the only person of whom I know that's a stay at home dad.  

Lou and his wife have two children in middle school and they keep him quite busy.  Over the years since his son and daughter were born, Lou and I have chatted about what was and is it like for him to transition from a banking and finance professional, especially in the dot.com era of his time with startups that are now multimillion dollar companies, to now being a stay at home Dad while his wife continues her professional career.

Well, I do hope you listen to this episode to gain Lou's perspective that I hope you will find interesting and even somewhat enlightening.

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

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In this episode, we will take a break from the more serious topics discussed in most of my podcast episodes.  As with many of us, it's good to step back and enjoy a conversation, even when it's about nothing special in particular, interlaced with humor.  This is just such a time, right!  Although not always, there are times when we ponder an action, a result, a state of being, and so many other things with a simple utterance or thought of, "Hmm."  During this episode, Dylan Mansa, joins me in exploring some of the things that may even caused you to think or say, "Hmm."  It's simple chatting and humor.  By the way, if you're into canine dog mania stuff, you can even skip to time mark 14:37 for some chuckles!

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

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I find discussions with young adults interesting and often enlightening in many ways.  It's clear they view their future in ways filled with fun, laughter, career progression, and, yes, even making money along the way at some point.  If you're similar to me, your conversations with young adults are often replied with some apprehension, but usually with a lot of optimism.  

With this episode's guest - Wael Khalifa - a young professional, we talk about his path of being a world traveler, public service in state and city governments, and now as a Community Development Manager in a tech company.  Oh, and did I mention Wael is also an American who happens to be of the Muslim faith.  Super!  Starting at time mark 25.46 Wael brings his intriguing and encouraging thoughts about religious tolorance. There's a wonderful journey that Wael and I unpack doing this episode.  Come along and join us!

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

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Thank you for listening to this episode about leadership. I’m solo with this episode chatting about my thoughts and quotes of others about leadership.

No. Leadership isn’t about how to lead by the numbers, by the alphabet, or by reading the latest leadership guides. Indeed, it’s a combination of those and so much more. You don’t need a PhD in leadership psychology, attend the latest big name university or school to learn much of what we already really know, but often may be reluctant or too timid put into practice.

Indeed, we have all been impressed with leadership quotes and thoughts of media-worthy industry, government, and social leaders. However, even with our own work organizations and groups, there are truly thoughtful, compassionate, and uplifting people who demonstrate the special compatibility between individual progress and organizational objectives. Some people in leadership roles practice “no employee/colleague” left behind as a standard instead of the exception. Yes. I acknowledge the concepts are easy to absorb but often can be complicated to put into practice. We have to acknowledge the individual capabilities, desires, deficiencies; and some organizational bottom lines complicate the concept of the “rising tide lifts all boats.” Still, thoughtful leadership characteristics and setting positive examples for all to follow must be individual professional objectives.

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

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Corporate America is undergoing a positive trend in the number of women in the workforce over the past decades of course.  Yes.  There's even an increase in women in corporate executive positions.  A recent study by Silicon Valley Bank found just 56 percent of startups have at least one woman in an executive position, and only 40 percent have at least one woman on the board of directors.  The study also found that 59 percent of startups have some type of program in place designed to increase the number of women in leadership — and that the founding team’s gender often determines which executive roles women hold at startups.  Quite interesting to say the least.

For this episode, I'm speaking with my special guest, corporate executive Megan Cornish.  Megan is the Vice President of Government, Marketing, and Promise Virtual Reality (VR) at Moth+Flame.  M+F is a provider of immersive learning experiences for enterprise scale customers across a range of verticals.  We've learned about VR and artificial intelligence (AI) combined to make learning a truly interactive experience.  Plus, Megan explains her path from working in the US congress, entering the business world, serving on various companies' board of directors, and her thoughts on girls and women who aspire to enter the corporate world and eventually into a "C-Suite" executive position.

*******Thank you for listening to my weekly podcast. If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

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*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

Isn't it interesting to hear stories or even telling your own stories about various travels.  You know, the kinds of travels that take you across town, ro another, across the country, or even to a different country.  Well, my special guest today is Serina Hull.  She is a twenty something young woman who dared to make the big leap to go east.  We're talking about to the Far East to Beijing, China!  She received her undergraduate degree from a university in Florida in business and Chinese language.  

Was it an adventure?  Absolutely, yes!  Adjusting to the culture, the food, the working environment, and even the night life.  Thank you for joining  me as I chat with Serina about her adventure in receiving her graduate degree and her employment in Beijing, and now back to the U.S.  

Please consider sharing this episode with friends and colleagues, but especially young people who are considering learning and working abroad.

By the way, Serina's blog is interesting too:  https://qiosity.com/ 

*******Thank you for listening to my weekly podcast.  I hope you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting.  If so, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guests and guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.  Indeed, every day people just like you and me.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

**LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own, and not affiliated with any commercial or government entity**

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/its-not-all-bad

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*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7