Learning Life with Jon Tota

DJ Barry is an entrepreneur, artist and changemaker with a vision to bring the world a little closer together through random acts of kindness. Listen to this interview with DJ to learn how we're "all spots on the same cow" and what DJ is doing to spread that mission around Vermont, the US and now the world! Check out DJ's mission and gallery at https://www.worldcow.earth. 

Rachel Vandenberg grew up in her family's hotel business in Stowe, Vermont then traveled the world and worked in several industries before returning to Vermont to co-own and operate the Sun & Ski Inn and Suites with her husband, Mark. In this episode, she shares their Vermont origin story and discusses her latest industry endeavors.

With her expertise in leadership and organizational development, Rachel founded The Travel Leader to coach established leaders in travel and hospitality and provide valuable content and resources to the industry. She partners with her clients to strengthen self-leadership and outward facing leadership competencies so they can be more effective in their roles. Outside of her work, she is a mom of three and loves to be in the woods on a bike or skis.

Visit Sun & Ski Inn and Suites at: https://sunandskiinn.com

Learn about The Travel Leader at: https://thetravelleadercoach.com 

Listen to The Travel Leader Podcast here.

Emiliano Void is the Founder and CEO of nuwave Equity Corporation. He is responsible for the development and implementation of systemic solutions centered around the dismantlement of anti-Black and systemic racism through profitable and innovative approaches.

Emiliano grew up in Montreal, Canada and has spent the last decade living and working in the Burlington, Vermont area and serving in several positions for both Dealer.com and Cox Automotive. He visits Learning Life to discuss the challenges in achieving equity in Vermont and shares with us the inspiration behind some of nuwave's most impactful initiatives.

At nuwave, Emiliano and the team aspire to drive real, actionable, and sustainable change that creates more opportunities for Black and systemically excluded people, while helping organizations understand the profitability in equity.

Born and raised in Vermont, Ashley Reynolds is the President and Co-Founder of Elmore Mountain Therapeutics. Ashley and her husband Colin founded EMT 2017 after Ashley’s personal struggle with postpartum anxiety. Finding relief through the use of CBD, Ashley saw a need for cannabis advocation to all. With a deep understanding of the science behind it, she dispels misconceptions and educates others on the use of CBD for promoting moisture, reducing wrinkles, and brightening dark spots. Ashley believes in the power of stories to connect with others and is determined to bring CBD skincare into the mainstream.

People choose EMT over other CBD brands because it is more than product, it’s a way of life, it’s culture. Learn more about EMT at https://emtcbd.com and try it for yourself today!

This week, Jon speaks with C.J. Knudsen, Senior Vice President for the Vermont Lake Monsters.

C.J. graduated from Rice Memorial High School in 1992 and served as the Lake Monsters Assistant General Manager from 1997-1999 and the team's General Manager from 2000-2009.

C.J. returned to the Lake Monsters in 2021 as Senior Vice President and has helped the team navigate the transition from MLB's minor league system to the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

By all accounts, it's going well. In 2021, Knudsen was named Executive of the Year following the Lake Monsters' massively successful first season in the league, capped off with them winning the Futures League Championship.

The Lake Monsters are having tons of success on and off the field as they deliver a uniquely local Vermont sports experience right here in Burlington. Learn more from C.J. and catch a game at Centennial Field soon.

Visit the Lake Monsters online and get your tickets today: https://vermontlakemonsters.com 

In the previous episode, we delved into the fascinating world of Synchronicity with Dr. Tom Myers and Dr. Rob Williams. Now, in Part 2 of our series, we invite you to embark on a transformative journey through a profound meditation session led by Rob himself, the co-founder of Peak Flow.

Prepare yourself by finding a peaceful spot, turning off your devices, and allowing Dr. Rob to guide you into an awakened state, enabling you to discover the magic of Synchronicity in your life today.

To learn more about Tom and TriSync Impact, please visit https://trisyncimpact.com.

To learn more about Rob and Peak Flow, please visit https://thepeakflow.com.

Dr. Tom Myers is a Synchronicity Researcher, Educator, and Coach, dedicated to helping individuals and businesses discover the power of Synchronicity and implement it in their lives. Having had a distinguished career as a professor and faculty chair at Champlain College, Tom now focuses on assisting people in understanding the concept of Synchronicity, recognizing its occurrences, and learning how to activate and operate in synchronistic harmony with those around them. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of Synchronicity with Tom and Dr. Rob Williams, exploring how a breathwork practice can awaken our senses and guide us into a state of greater synchronicity.

After the discussion, we invite you to enjoy a 20-minute exclusive meditation session led by Dr. Rob Williams, Co-Founder of Peak Flow.

To learn more about Tom and TriSync Impact, visit https://trisyncimpact.com.

To learn more about Rob and Peak Flow, visit https://thepeakflow.com.

Doug Lewis is a 2-time Olympian, 8-year member of the US Ski Team, and in 1985 won the first ever World Championship medal for an American in downhill. And he grew up right here in the Green Mountains, cutting his teeth at Middlebury's Snow Bowl, then honing his skills at the GMVS Ski Academy at Sugarbush. After a great run on the US Ski Team, Doug returned to Vermont to attend UVM and to later co-found ELITEAM, a sports camp hosted at Killington Mountain School, that helps young athletes reach their highest potential. 

Listen to a great conversation with Doug on his journey through his excellent early career in ski racing, followed by decades of experience as an entrepreneur and performance coach teaching young athletes the value of grit, resilience and becoming a well-rounded competitor.

Learn more about Doug and how you can claim one of the last available spots at this summer's ELITEAM World Cup Camp here.

In this episode, Jon sits down with Alex Hernandez, President of Champlain College, who was recently inaugurated as just the 10th President in Champlain's long history.  Alex's vision for the college is centered on a theme of “readiness,” as he outlines plans to build a better future for students, the college, and Vermont. Jon talks with Alex about how education creates opportunity and what he thinks our institutions must do to get students ready for their future.  Learn more about Champlain College here: https://www.champlain.edu

In this episode, Jon sits down with Jason Lorber, the Founder and President of Aplomb Consulting, where they help people facilitate change in their lives and businesses. Based in Burlington, VT, Jason is also a standup comedian who served four terms in the Vermont state legislature. We talk about change, how comedy can help through the process, and why everyday citizens should get involved in politics now.

Learn more about Jason and Aplomb at http://aplomb.com/