Marriage & Miracles

In today's episode, we hear from Travis Robinson, Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at Spotify!

We'll answer questions such as:

You need to believe that you belong wherever you are and wherever you're going. Regardless of anyone (including society as a whole) who tells you that you don't belong. Be firm in knowing you that you DO.

Of course it's important to surround yourself with people and companies who are showing their inclusion and diversity, but you need to believe it for yourself so you aren't relying on others to tell you where you belong.

Joy is knowng who you are and being PROUD of what you're doing. Your purpose and your joy and not the same thing, however, they are very connect with one another.

Joy is long term and sticks with you because it is part of  your being. We define purpose as when you feel enriched and full with the things that bring you joy because they are intertwined with what your life's purpose is.

You've heard it before and you're hearing it again because this point is just SO important. You need to take care of yourself to take care of others. Process your life's trauma, take care of your mental and physical self, make sure your cup is being filled before you go full force into giving yourself to the needs of others.

The airplane analogy is always perfect for this topic. The flight attendants tell you to put on your oxygen mask before you help others in an emergency. Why do they say this? Because you can't help others if you're not taking care of your own needs first.

Make sure you check out this amazing read!

Our song and artist recommendations:

Travis L. Robinson is a people and brand evangelist, specializing in curating connections and experiences for diversity, equity and belonging.

Travis is Co-Founder and Chief Evangelist Officer of Zeal Culture, The 12th Avenue Agency, and Belonging. At Monday - a collective of brand development, thought leadership and talent engagement organizations focused on underrepresented communities.  In addition, he currently serves as Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging for Spotify.

Connect with Travis!

Twitter: @travislrobinson | instagram: @travis.l.robinson | website: www.travislinardrobinson.com

Have you ever thought about the social impact you have?

Today we hear from Community Engagement and CSR Program Manager at Amazon, Anna Derinova-Hartmann!

We'll answer questions such as:

Thinking about your social impact can be daunting. It's best to break it down especially when you're first beginning. One of the easiest ways to start contributing to your social impact is to share what you have an abundance of. Making sure you and your family have what you need first and foremost is important, but letting go of all the extras you have is a great way to make a positive impact. You could also start volunteering somewhere where there's a need.

Doing good and helping out the people in your community is amazing. However, sometimes we get so caught up in it that we end up feeling guilty if we aren't constantly putting effort towards others. Taking time to check in with yourself and focus on what you need is just as important as helping out others. Think of it like the classic "help yourself to help others."

Remember that you aren't saving the world alone. Everyone should be contributing to their social impact so when you need a break, it's perfectly fine. When there's a team of people working together, not everyone has to to 'the most' all the time.

Finding out your purpose will give you a life where you get to choose. When we aren't pursuing our purpose, we end up on a hamster wheel going in circles with no aim. Once you are aware of your purpose and what direction you want to go, you are capable of directing yourself in a way that will get you fulfilling your purpose.

Action item: Get your mental and physical ass off of your mental and physical couch and do something! Whether it be reading a book, cleaning out, asking 'why' questions, or talking to your partner, just do something. And make sure you're repetitive in what you do!

Don't forget to check out Zach Mercurio for some amazing reads on purpose!

Anna Derinova-Hartmann is a Community Engagement and CSR Program Manager at Amazon and lives in Munich, Germany. Anna is a Social Impact professional, challenging social inequality and institutional barriers by empowering vulnerable social groups.

She strongly believes in the power of connections, cooperation and partnership, working hard on building bridges between various business and socio-economic sectors.

Connect with Anna on LinkedIn.

When was the last time you felt stressed?

Today's podcast is a little bit different than usual because I am joined by my wonderful husband, Frankie Vignone, as well as our guest, Dylan Ali! Dylan is a professional speaker and loves helping others make positive changes in their lives.

We'll answer questions such as:

It can be hard to see the good things in life or the positive side of a tough situation. It's much easier to feel down on life than to make good out of a not so great situation. But one thing Dylan points out is that the happier he is, the more he finds in life to be happy about. When we have a negative outlook or attitude, it makes life murky. But when we are able to find things to be happy about, no matter how big or small, we are often lead to find more and more happiness.

What if I told you we are all already successful? Yes, even you! We ALL have success within us. It's just a matter of taking what you have inside and exposing it. The success is already there, you just need to learn how to put that success on display. So often we create avatars based on our insecurities and walk around as a shadowed version of ourself. In order to bring out the success within us, we first need to shed the insecurities we are carrying around that mask the success.

Commitment is great. But it's not what brings you to your goals. That's what discipline's job is. Discipline is what gets you through the hard parts and the times you feel like giving up. Discipline is what carries you through all of that and gives your commitment the ability to produce results.

Take the 14 day challenge!

Dylan Ali is a keynote speaker, transformational coach and sales executive.

With 20+ years in corp IT sales Dylan has been able to create a framework that is repeatable and scalable to all areas of life resulting in more love and less fear.  We operate from two sources at all times, love or fear. Dylan has been able to guide people in transmuting that fear into love, in turn acting from that space. We all have baggage, we all have emotional trauma. Many of us are taught to suppress those feelings in order to find success. That success comes at a heavy price. Dylan teaches you how to negotiate that price for a life worth living.

Connect with Dylan on LinkedIn- Dylan Ali.

It's time to kick perfectionism to the curb!

In today's episode, we hear from founder of The Helpful Academy, Kat Soper.

We'll answer questions such as:

"Progress over perfection."

Sometimes we believe that in order to progress in a skill/area of life/etc., we need to first perfect the stage we are in right now.  Well, that's not true! That mind set will actually hold you back from your progress. Perfection is impossible to achieve. So instead of making that your goal, try to create your goals based around the progress you want to make.

Much of the time, negative self talk goes hand in hand with perfectionism. When fighting the negativity, start first by recognizing which thoughts are negative. Then, from there you can start replacing the negative self talk with positive affirmations.

"Your 'why' needs to be deeper than your discomfort."

What is your 'why'?

Change is uncomfortable. It's human nature to like what is familiar and whether consciously or not, try to avoid change. However, when we are trying to get to the next level in our lives, change must occur. The key to actually reaching your goals and making noticeable progress, is to make your 'Why' bigger than your discomfort.

Sometimes we'll outgrow our 'why's' and have to reevaluate. That's okay too! Your why may be bigger than your discomfort for awhile but if it ever isn't, then just check in with yourself and figure out a deeper why.

"If you’re not green and growing, you’re ripe and rotting."

Most people consider being stagnant or maintaining to be a neutral state. That may be true for a short period of time, but if we are staying in the same place for too long, it starts becoming harmful. It's okay to reach a goal and take a breather. We all deserve breaks and relaxation. But don't let reaching your goal be an end all. There are always things to improve and work on no matter how big or small!

Don't forget to check out these awesome resources!

Kat Soper is an Entrepreneur and Free Spirit. She is the founder of The Helpful Academy, New Zealand's largest training centre for Small Businesses. Kat is also a wife and mother of two! (with many fur babies as well!)

Connect with Kat on IG @thehelpfulacademy or Facebook @thehelpfulacademy

Or head over to her website!

www.thehelpfulacademy.com

What areas of your life have you seen the most growth?

In today's episode, we hear from amazing author, podcast host, and L&D manager at Xactly, Jessica Smith!

We’ll answer questions such as:

So often we believe that in order to grow up and truly mature, we must leave behind "childish thing." Well, it's time to scrap that idea! Whether it's playing with chalk like Jessica, or coloring or anything else, we encourage you to go do the things you used to love doing as a kid!

So many changes occur in your twenties and will continue to shift and change. We are confronted with big life events and reality checks. Your life path will look different from everyone else's. But don't worry, there is no wrong way to grow up! Regardless of where you're at and what stage of life you're in, it is so important to ask yourself the question: how can I greater connect with my inner voice of wisdom?

You will constantly have outside influences from strangers, family, friends, social media, etc. But you need to focus on what's going on internally and check in with yourself to make sure it is in line with the choices you're making.

Sometimes it’s the fear of being alone or the fear of the unknown. It’s important to look for freedom in a relationship to know it’s a positive one. Freedom from these fears and the freedom that comes with loving one another for who you both are and not for any deeds done in the past is what keeps our relationships healthy.

Action item: cultivate tools to discover your inner voice of wisdom

Don't forget to check about Jessica's amazing work!

Jessica is the author of the YOUR TWENTIES book and self-discovery journal. She is also the host of the podcast: Career Coaching with Jessness and works in Tech as an L&D Manager for Xactly.

Connect with Jessica on IG @hellojessness (or @your.twenties for her amazing book!) or on LinkedIn @jessicasmith

Have you ever wanted to start something new or work towards a goal but felt held back?

Today, we we hear from Executive National Vice President with Arbonne, Hillary Duggin.

We'll answer questions such as:

You have two options when working your way towards your goals. It's normal to experience plateaus and steps back. When these things happen, you can either increase your activity or shrink your goal. The decision you make is what can either get you to your goal or keep you from it. Don't let a seemingly daunting goal convince you to shrink what you want. Get after it!

Sometimes starting can be the most difficult part of reaching your goal. When should I start? How should I start? So many questions could be swirling around your head as you try to find the "perfect" time to begin. But here's the secret: you won't ever find a perfect time to start. If you keep waiting for the right moment, it may never happen. We encourage you to start before you're ready. Obviously, it's great to be prepared, so don't neglect preparation. However, if you find yourself routinely putting off the start of obtaining your goal, then it's time to just jump right in.

I didn't have enough time. I'm too young/old. I don't have the right finances. I'm not educated enough. I'll never be successful. -- These are some of the most common excuses stopping you from reaching your goals. Don't get me wrong, life can get CRAZY and that means sometimes we need to prioritize. Moving towards your goal may not be on the top of that list. However, understanding that everything we do in life is a choice - what to spend our time, energy, money, etc on.

Making choices in favor of our goals is what gets us to reach it. If it's not a goal you're passionate about then you might find yourself making more excuses. At that point it's important to reevaluate why you're trying to reach your goal.

Action Item: write out your 10 year vision! What would your highest and best version of yourself look like and be doing? Then write out your 10 dreams that get you towards your highest and best self. Finally, write down 1 goal that will get you towards your 10 year vision (make it small and obtainable!).

Hillary Duggin is an Independent consultant and Executive National Vice President with Arbonne.

Married to her high school sweetheart, and a Mom of two boys.

Connect with Hillary on IG @hillaryduggin

Today we hear from Tinika Wyatt, healthcare professional and pastor, about how true justice and a celebration of diversity is necessary for each person to be able to freely be themselves.

We'll answer questions such as:

To freely be who you are, you cannot rely on others for your fulfillment. Whether it's God or another higher power, having yourself rooted in something outside of yourself is crucial to be able to be who you are.

Ask yourself, when you fail, who can you reach out to that is unfailing? It's not going to be your friends or family. As much as they are there to support you, they all have their limitations too. Once you're able to answer that question, you no longer need to expect people to make you happy or give you your worth because you already are happy and already know your worth.

Supremacy is causing division. We often see large-scale forms of supremacy on the news, but we mustn't forget to bring attention to the supremacy we practice in our own lives. It could look like passing by a homeless person and thinking you're better than them. Or maybe it's between you and a sibling or a coworker. This idea that "I'm better than that person" no matter the reason, has got to go. The matter of the fact is that we are all valuable. We all have something to contribute to the world and acting as though  some people are "lesser" than others is completely inaccurate and harmful.

We seem to forget how much beauty there is in diversity. We are missing out if we aren't including the marginalized. Justice says we look a little further into what people need and we give them what is right, what is just. We need to find out what people need and meet those needs as much as possible. We have to see how we can help them flourish and truly offer all that they have.

Action item: task a risk step outside yourself and introduce yourself to someone you is the furthest from your culturally,.spark up a friendship and be intentional.

Tinika Wyatt is a healthcare professional, marriage and family pastor, equity inclusion & diversity advocate, a singer and songwriter, but most importantly a wife, mother and daughter of the King.

Connect with Tinika on IG @tinidubb

Check out her amazing music at www.tinikawyattmusic.com

In today's episode, we hear from Kendall Sparkman, a first year teacher and past Next Level Confident client!

We'll answer questions such as:

We all know at least one person who is seemingly always full of joy. What's the secret? Meet your own needs first! It's hard (if not impossible) to fill others up when our own cup is depleted. For Kendall and I, our faith plays a huge role in how we "fill our cups." Whether you are a religious person or not, it is important to figure out what thing(s) fill you up, and then regularly incorporate them into your daily life.

Self care goes hand in hand with filling yourself up. Just like when you're in an airplane and they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first and then help others if there is an emergency, you need to take care of yourself to take care of others.

Self care might not look the same for everyone but it is necessary for everyone. Whether you have 10 minutes or an entire day, intentionally setting aside time to tune into yourself and relax is so important.

How do you know if your significant other is truly compatible with you if you don't live together before marriage? Do all of the boring tasks together! Go grocery shopping together, do laundry together, cook meals together, etc. Sometimes we get so caught up with the fancy/fun dates and "glamorous" aspects of a relationship that we completely forget about the everyday tasks to living (which are obviously important if you're planning on marriage).

Don't forget to check out these amazing mentionables!

Kendall Sparkman is in her first year teaching DURING A PANDEMIC- what a crazy year to start as a teacher!! She teaches high school art and yearbook at Rainier Christian High School. In August 2020, she moved to Auburn, Washington from Greeley, Colorado.

Recently she started a blog called The Teacher Travel Guide to give teachers tips on how to care for themselves, travel around, be more efficient in their classroom, and enjoy the career they love!

Connect with Kendall on IG @kenspark

In Today's episode, we hear from Account Manager at Cisco, Kelsey Kramer!

We'll answer questions such as:

“It’s amazing what you’ll find when you just start looking around and talking to people.”

Before you can put yourself out there, you need to know what "out there" is. Stepping outside your comfort zone is, well... uncomfortable! Knowing what kind of new territory you're stepping into makes taking that first step much more intentional and productive.  So explore a little bit before you get out there full force and learn what paths are available for you to take.

“You can have it all as a woman.”

This one is for all the ladies out there! You can have it all as a woman. So often we are told that we need to make a decision, do you want to get married and start a family or do you want to succeed at work? You can do both and more! Don't let anyone else's insecurities and self-doubt project onto you.

Just speaking within your occupation, you can have everything you see you male coworkers receiving. Don't think you have to settle for a mediocre position or pay because "as a woman you should be lucky to have what you already have." Go after your highest goals and dreams because YOU CAN!

“You have got to get involved.”

You need a support group in your life whether it comes from family, friends, sponsors, mentors, coaches, or a mix of it all.  Surround yourself with people who you know will support you. It's important to make sure you have support in your work life and your home/social life. Don't forget how many layers your life has!

Go to the social events even if they feel unproductive. You can make them productive by finding someone for your personal support group. Sign up for a sports team or a book club or for a hobby you're interested in. One great connection resource to check out are the  Junior Boards in your area!

Don't forget to check out The Secrets We Kept by Laura Prescott and NLC Podcast Episode 46: 10 Remedies to Try if You’re Feeling Depressed with Janelle Lynnae

Take away: Be your authentic self! Don’t be afraid of labels (rbf, bossy, etc). Your true self is best thing you can bring to work.

Kelsey Kramer is a woman in tech and an Account Manager at Cisco. She is also the Connected Women’s lead, which is an employee resource group and diversity initiative that promotes women in the workplace.

Women of Impact and Girls in Tech are the two main events that are used to promote women in the workplace. Kelsey currently resides in Chicago but Michigan will always be home.

Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn!

Download the 2021 Goal Setting worksheet here.

We'll answer questions like:

"Who are you becoming?"

When setting goals, we often put most, if not all, of the emphasis on the thing we want to accomplish. When making habits, it's important to think more about who you are becoming than hitting your goal. Ask yourself what habits do you need to build in order to become the person you need to be to achieve your goal.

Remember that to get from point A (setting your goal) to point B (achieving your goal), there's a process. It doesn't just happen in an instance. There's a lot of personal growth involved and it's important to make sure you know who you're becoming in the process.

"What are you holding onto that you should be stepping away from?"

We all have things that we are afraid to let go of, even when we know that our lives would be better off without them. Whether it's a harmful habit, toxic person, or job you hate, it's important to leave it behind!

When setting goals, if you already have something holding you back from personal growth or even achieving your goal entirely, reaching your goals will be so much harder.

"I am loving the process because I'm becoming a better version of myself."

You won't achieve your goals if you don't love the process! Or you will but it'll leave you feeling MISERABLE, and no one wants that! The process of achieving your goals probably won't be easy and you're going to need to put in a lot of work. But find gratitude in the process and all of its challenges because of who you're becoming as a result.

Action Item: Complete the 2021 Goal Setting worksheet here!

Don't forget to check out ToastMasters!

Frankie Vignone is a Strategic Account Executive at People.ai and the Co-Founder of Professionals on Purpose. Frankie is an enthusiast for personal development and has a passion for helping people reach their highest potential.

In his free time, Frankie loves being outdoors spending time with his wife (that's me!). From surfing, to hiking, to snowboarding, he loves it all and everything in between!

Connect with Frankie on LinkedIn and IG @frankievignone