Journeys to Belonging

Nick DeForest, who is originally from Ontario, Canada has been in Vienna Austria since 2000 and works at the American International School Vienna. Nick has his BA in History from Brock University and his Master's in Athletic Administration and Coaching from Western Kentucky University. He has also obtained his Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) title from the NIAAA. Nick founded the Globetrottin'ADs before the onset of the pandemic and has continued to bring the international school community together with his podcast and online conferences ever since. His book, A Global Playbook: How Every International School Can Raise Its Game, focuses on six key elements that all schools need to excel in to raise the game of their entire school; Core, Commitment, Care, Culture, Competition, and Communication.  Podcast: https://www.globetrottinads.com/podcastWebsite: https://www.globetrottinads.com/Twitter: @nick_GTADS

Anji is an internationally board-certified Master NLP life coach and clinical hypnotherapist dedicated to guiding women toward recognizing their self-worth and breaking free from toxic relationship patterns. With over 15 years of experience in the mind-body connection, Anji's coaching is inclusive and trauma-informed, catering to individuals of all backgrounds. She uses powerful subconscious techniques like EFT, NLP, and hypnosis to help her clients achieve their best lives.  

As a second-generation Filipina, Anji's coaching style explores the intersections of culture, spirituality, and healing. Her coaching framework, The Mahal Method, combines mindset mastery, manifestation, integrative health, and ancestral healing to offer her clients a unique and transformative experience. Anji is passionate about helping women rise above past traumas to develop better relationships in all areas of their lives.  

Connect with Anji on IG: @iamanjigray and find resources and all about her work on her website: www.thenewclassicwoman.com

This week's episode features Jim Thompson, teacher, administrator, and video instructional coach.  He is first and foremost grandfather to James Joseph and co-author of A Quick Guide to Video Coaching. In 1993, he was names New York State's Elementary Principal of the Year and 1994 Distinguished Principal. Jim shares his years of experiences and wit and wisdom that comes from it with our listeners.

In this episode, Ilene describes what her #oneword2023 Bittersweet signifies for her this year. 

On this episode of Journeys to Belonging, Ilene reflects on her experience of going through family memorabilia on the first day of 2023.

In this episode, Ilene reflects on the past year and looks forward to 2023. She also shares what she's been doing instead of recording guests for her podcast. 

Tu Vuong is an educator who has worked in a number of capacities including consultant, teacher and advocate for newcomer families and students. She has been a lead in projects with the Ontario Ministry of Education, Apple Education, and has contributed numerous educational content to various magazines, blogs and podcasts. She currently resides in Ottawa, Canada.

Website: https://www.cominghometuvuong.com

Twitter: tu_vuong

Book link: Coming Home

Link to blog mentioned during the podcast

Quote by Ocean Vuong: “When can I say your name and have it mean only your name and not what you left behind?”

Faye Lawand is known as New Zealand’s Trusted Internal Conflict Resolution Expert and coach for burnt-out (or nearly burnt-out) professionals. Her method brings back life’s ease and excitement for the professional who's had it (almost) burned out, by harnessing the magic of the subconscious mind and nervous system to banish chronic stress, anxiety and fatigue.

Faye was born into chaos and strife in the Middle East, burned out 3 times in a row, and battled with chronic conditions most of her life. But when the traditional solutions of prescription medication and Tall Therapy failed her, she sought out her own. After 15 years of research & training, she founded The Tiredness Solution™ - an integrative 9-step formula that’s helped her clients and students kick the tiredness and overwhelm and finally feel like themselves again, by dispelling the internal conflicts rooted in the nervous system and subconscious mind.

And now, her mission is to help burnt-out (or nearly burnt-out) professionals find wellbeing as well, because she firmly believes that when we’re all living the life we want, we can build a kinder, happier world.

Faye is proud to call New Zealand home where she lives with her husband. She is a global citizen who has lived in 13 countries, speaks 4 languages and is passionate about all aspects of health and wellbeing. When she’s not coaching or training, Faye enjoys cooking, yoga, and loves spending time in the beautiful outdoors in New Zealand.

Website: fayelawand.com

Facebook: @fayelawand

Facebook group: nervous system wellness tribe

LinkedIn: @FayeLawand

IG: @fayelawand

In this week's episode, Ilene shares her thoughts about Teacher Appreciation and how important it is to appreciate them all year long and not just one day or week per year. She also discusses systemic change that includes teacher voices and the need to look deeper at problems we need to solve and to do that as soon as possible. 

Sources for additional information:

The origin of American Teacher Appreciation Week

Washington Post article

World Teacher Day

Critical Race Theory (CRT)

A native of New Jersey, Donnie studied theater at Catholic University (“because being a nun was out of the question”) before transferring to Emory University in Atlanta, where she graduated with a degree in psychology. There her passion for drama evolved from repertory theater to commercials and voice-overs. After honing her skills in writing and producing advertising campaigns for clients throughout the Southeast, she then created award-winning projects for Discovery, The Smithsonian Institute, and Broderbund/Random House. 

A dynamic and in-demand speaker, Donnie is committed to preventing what she calls “the perfect storm,” the failed opportunity for our justice system to support challenged individuals in dire need of compassion and protection. She remains a dedicated champion for shifting our cultural paradigm and changing public misperceptions about marginalized individuals.

Donnie's Website

Amazon page for her books