Mavens Do It Better

Episode 27 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Troy Swanson. Troy is a philanthropist, social entrepreneur, global nomad, community builder, global technology business developer, transformational traveler and author. Troy is the Founder and Executive Director of the AlphaBet Club. ABC is an international not-for-profit organization helping children in need to break the cycle of poverty through education. ABC funds new school projects (11 to date in India, Nepal, Haiti, Cambodia & Laos) with schools providing nutrition programs (500,000+ free meals served) that would otherwise be out of reach for many children living in underserved communities and slums. Operating in the Netherlands, and Spain; ABC is funded by donations, sponsorships and proceeds from fundraising events.

Troy and Heather worked together at Microsoft and figured out that they went to high school together at Wheaton Central High School, Wheaton IL during a 2004 European SharePoint Roadshow and have been friends and colleagues ever since.

Troy and Heather caught up in person from Bangalore, India on a visit to The AlphaBet Club’s many schools and library projects there.

Listen in as Heather talks with Troy about:

Education impact projects in India & developing countries. Lessons learned and the value of strong partner ecosystems to bring quality education & nutrition to underserved children, families & communities. Transformational Bridge School & Libraries 4 Schools Programs & how donating birthdays online are impacting lives.

Growing up in Wheaton, DuPage County, Illinois and a life of travel and cultural immersion.

A sneak peek into Troy's forthcoming book, 'The 3 Knocks Rule', a simple tool to start recognizing and saying 'Yes' to growth experiences to transform your life and overall well-being.

Troy Swanson Facebook |Instagram | Website | LinkedIn

Check out Troy’s Burner Podcast – Episode 68: Breakfast at Troyfanny’s

The Alphabet Club | Facebook | Twitter | Website

Episode 26 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Jesse Case. Jesse has served as musical director for four revues with Second City, most recently “A Red Line Runs Through It” on the ETC stage. Other projects with the building include “The Second City Guide to the Opera” with Lyric Opera of Chicago (composer/co-writer). He’s made music and sound for a wide variety of short films, pilots, theatrical productions, web series, and documentaries, and his production credits include a bloated, overindulgent rap album by T.J. Miller for Comedy Central Records. He is also the composer of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast theme music, voiceover by Julia Francis.

Jesse and Heather caught up virtually from Alhambra, Illinois and Marina Del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Heather talks with Jesse about:

How he has made music for decades and how he collaborates with people

Working as the Musical Director for Chicago’s famous, Second City

Collaborating and making music and opening a studio in Alhambra, Il.

Jesse Case | Website |Twitter | Instagram

Transcript available at www.mavensdoitbetter.com

Episode 25 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Alicia Dara. Alicia is a nationally recognized voice teacher (singing and public speaking) based in Seattle. She has helped thousands of people break through blocks, find their voice, and put it to work. Her most popular group training is "Public Speaking Bootcamp for Women", which helps women strengthen their voices, clarify their messaging, and push back against workplace sexism.

Alicia and Heather caught up virtually from Seattle, WA, and Marina Del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Heather talks with Alicia about:

How to step into one’s voice and power as a public speaker

The use of the word “badass” to describe women and the evolution of how and what words matter

Her history as a feminist activist and what sparked her toward becoming a public speaking and voice teacher

Alicia Dara | Website | Twitter | Instagram

Transcript available on www.mavensdoitbetter.com

Episode 24 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Tracy* Talley, mystic, numerologist, astrologist, tarot reader and owner of The Mystical Life. Tracy was given her first Astrology book as a girl by her grandmother, Adelaide. Since then, she’s come to understand that divine knowledge has many complimentary expressions. Tracy’s services energize people with mystical tools to better navigate their lives. Sessions with Tracy are inspirational, intense and empowering.

Tracy* and Heather caught up virtually from Portland, OR and Marina Del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Heather talks with Tracy about:

What numerology is and how it can be applied

A look into astrology, numerology and tarot and how they influence each other

Pattern recognition in one’s life and how the mystical can be a fun way to connect and learn about one’s self

Tracy* has generously given all of our Mavens Do It Better listeners a code for 30% off of her Numerology readings until March 1, 2019. To check out her wonderful offerings – see her website - https://www.themystical.life/numerology/

At check out use the code mavensdoitbetter

Tracy Talley | The Mystical Life

Episode 23 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Kristen Visbal sculptor and creator of the iconic “Fearless Girl” statue. Fearless Girl was commissioned by State Street Global Advisors via McCann New York. The statue was originally installed on March 7, 2017, at Bowling Green in the Financial District of Manhattan, New York City. The statue traveled to Los Angeles for display during the Women’s March Los Angeles on January 19, 2019.

Kristen and Heather caught up at the 2019 Women’s March Los Angeles.

Listen in as Heather talks with Kristen about how the “Fearless Girl” statue came to be.

Kristen Visbal | Instagram | Website

Episode 22 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Edith Young, IT Supervisor, Public Defender's Office at Hennepin County, Minnesota and Beautycounter Consultant.

Edith and Heather caught up virtually from Minnesota and Marina Del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Heather talks with Edith about:

Working with SharePoint and being the IT supervisor for the largest county in Minnesota

Her side hustle working as a Beautycounter consultant and illuminating cleaner beauty and safer skin care

And another side hustle working, supporting and on the board of The Wildcat Sanctuary who gives and provide homes to wildcats after individuals have tried to captive them

Working as part of the organizing committee of SharePoint Saturday Twin Cities, the largest event in the circuit with the best Mongolian grill speaker dinner

Edith Young | Twitter | Instagram

Episode 21 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Julia White, Corporate Vice President, Azure, Microsoft Corp.

Julia and Heather caught up in their offices virtually from Redmond, WA and Marina Del Rey, Ca.

Listen in as Heather talks with Julia about:

Julia’s background and start in IT

Where she finds inspiration outside of tech

What it means to be a CVP at Microsoft and the path to get there

Balancing parenthood and a discussion on Microsoft’s commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

To follow Julia:

Julia White | Twitter

Julia leads the marketing team for Microsoft Azure, and is focused on how Microsoft presents its Applications, Infrastructure, Data and Intelligence capabilities to customers and partners. In addition to the primary focus on Azure, the team are also responsible for Microsoft’s hybrid cloud assets; including SQL Server, Windows Server, Developer tools and management capabilities. Across this portfolio, Julia is responsible for the value proposition, global go to market strategy, and industry engagement. She also works in partnership with engineering leadership to chart the product roadmaps.

Julia joined Microsoft in 2001 as a product manager in the Enterprise Server team. In 2005, she moved to Microsoft’s US sales organization to run channel marketing and sales incentives. In 2007, she returned to product leadership, taking on Exchange Server product marketing. Over the course of the next 8 years, she was instrumental in leading the product’s evolution from an on-premises server technology to establishing Office 365 as the leader in cloud productivity services.

Julia has a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s in business administration from Harvard Business School.

Episode 20 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Zoe Nicholson, activist, lecturer, teacher, fighter for the Equal Rights Amendment, LGBTQ Rights, Alice Paul Scholar and tour de force in the world of non-violent protest. Zoe is a living legacy with a wealth of knowledge.

In honor of Alice Paul’s, Equal Rights Amendment writer and champion, 134th birthday, Zoe and Heather caught up virtually from Long Beach, CA and Marina Del Rey, CA.

Listen in as Heather Newman talks with Zoe about:

The implications of the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment, which needs one more state to ratify

Thoughts on the upcoming Women’s March activities around the world

Why Alice Paul and her suffrage tactics and methodologies are an important study for all today.

Her segment on PBS’ We’ll Meet Again with Ann Curry that aired on January 8, 2019.

Follow Zoe Nicholson at:

Instagram| Facebook | Twitter

www.zoenicholson.com

Episode 19 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Logan Avant, CEO & Founder – COBO Bottle and WildSwell.org.

Logan and Heather caught up in their offices over the airwaves.

Listen in as Heather talks with Logan about:

Catching up on COBO Bottle and WildSwell after their first meeting at the Oceanside Thursday Farmers Market a year ago

Running two businesses and funding projects and programs in ocean conservation and education

Being an entrepreneur and how he finds work life balance

Logan Avant Twitter | Instagram

COBO Bottle Twitter | Instagram | COBO Bottle Website

Episode 19 of the Mavens Do It Better Podcast features Matthew McDermott. Matthew is the Office 365 technical guy on the marketing team for Spanning Cloud Apps. A 13-time Microsoft Office Apps and Services MVP, he spends his professional time working to build best of breed solutions for Office 365 and Azure. Matthew is a speaker, content author, blogger, and specialist in SharePoint, Office 365, and Azure technologies. An accomplished photographer, cook, and bartender in his spare time, Matt spends as much time with his wife as his dog will allow.

Matthew and Heather caught up in their home offices over the airwaves.

Listen in as Heather talks with Matthew about:

What it means to be and what is a Microsoft MVP

What it means to be a consultant in technology

Living in Austin, traveling and connecting with people all over the world

Follow Matthew McDermott at:

Twitter | Instagram

Spanning Cloud