More Than Work

This week’s guest is Chef Dennis, the founder of the food blog, Ask Chef Dennis. Incidentally, he is also a chef!

Dennis was always a fan of food. He gained early inspiration was Graham Kerr, an Australian television chef who showed him how great you could make people feel by cooking for them.

Professionally, he started out as a prep cook, carefully observing the chefs with the aspiration of moving into that role. After a chef at the restaurant he was working in was injured during a busy weekend, Dennis got his big break.

Later, following a bout with carpal tunnel, Dennis moved into business dining for a time and then on to a school where he revamped the dining program and also stared educating students on cooking. His blogging stared as an output of what he was teaching at the school and eventually grew to have a worldwide following!

Some key points we hit:

• Dennis’ path of trying to do a lot of things and finding out what he wanted to do
• Introducing change to an organization
• How people can get satisfaction from cooking for themselves

In addition to cooking personally, Dennis enjoys reading and music. He also became a travel blogger almost by accident and enjoys trying the cuisine in all different places and telling people about it.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

It was so funny when Chef Dennis mentioned Graham Kerr because I too watched his show but not to the same end. He was wild! And it was a lot of fun to watch his cooking show. I am not someone who ever watched the Food Network but I have been entertained by some chefs. What I like about Chef Dennis is that he always ends up going back to what he loves, which is food, no matter how is is lead to it. 

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Find Chef Dennis

Website: https://www.askchefdennis.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AskChefDennis/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askchefdennis/ 

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/askchefdennis/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/askchefdennis/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/askchefdennis 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Patrick Alcoke, marketing entrepreneur and co-founder of Find Your Steady. We chatted via SquadCast from his living room in Maryland and mine in London, UK. 

Patrick’s career started out with him pursuing music after college. He moved to California and was touring the country in a band. Eventually though, he put that dream aside to pursue a different career path. We discuss his relationship with music today which is a lot different than it was from ages 15 - 27.

Patrick co-founded Find Your Steady, a mindful candle company, with his friend Brian. The two played in a band together at Virginia Tech. During the pandemic, while keeping their own respective mental health in check with their routines, they ended up combining Patrick’s meditation with Brian’s candle-making to produce their line of candle gifts complete with a web app of de-stressing tools and a journal.

Key points we hit:

• How Patrick manages stress of parenting, entrepreneur and person
• Why he set out to help people manage their stress
• Prioritising his company’s mission above other distractions
• Patrick’s mindfulness and health practices
• The pursuit of what you are passionate about and what that means for your passion

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

I have met with a few of my former classmates and colleagues and every time the chats are so rewarding. I find it a privilege to get to see what people have been up to years after we first met or even had contact in some cases and that’s how it was with Patrick. “Drink water” is something we say a few times during the chat and that has struck me. I have even formed a new, healthy habit since we chatted. It’s drinking more water! 

I left the podcast light and didn’t do a spoken intro because when I tried it was a rant. I want to state very clearly here that I stand with my Jewish friends and and the Jewish people. Kanye West’s disgusting anti-semitism is only the tip of the iceberg of what hate is expressed and if my putting this in writing offends someone then I hope they get help, get knowledge and change. Adidas finally cut his contract but that won’t stop what is happening to people all over. I may do an intro next week but this week, it was important to put it in writing.

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Find Patrick

Find Your Steady site: https://findyoursteady.com/ 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Johann Hari, https://stolenfocusbook.com/

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Sacred Walker, founder at Kuumba Health International Coaching Institute based out of New York. She is also a mental health and mind, body, and soul health enthusiast.

At Kuumba, Sacred and her team work with ambitious leaders focusing on their mental, emotional and mind-body health often focusing on addressing issues in their past so that they are empowered to move forward from a place of strength.  

We chat about:

• Framing experiences as moving from “pain to superpower” and what this means for Sacred
• Her approach of LOVE Medicine Coaching. Find out what the acronym of LOVE means
• Meeting someone where they are in terms of readiness to seek professional help

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Sacred and I had two wonderful conversations. In the first, I was on her podcast which you can checkout online. The result of the second is this episode of More Than Work. We ended up meeting in person later on as well and she was as genuine and kind then as she was in our remote conversations. I felt empowered after our encounters and think you will feel empowered too after listening!

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Find Sacred

Website: https://sacredwalker.net/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asksacred 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asksacred 

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sacredwalker 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Octavia Butler: https://www.octaviabutler.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Bob Burg, author and speaker. You may know him from the book series he co-wrote with John David Mann, The Go-Giver.

The Go-Giver is a business parable that illustrates shifting your focus from getting to giving. In it, there are five laws of stratospheric success that are presented through characters. The laws are value, compensation, influence, authenticity and receptivity.

In this brief episode, we chat about the book and all five values including which value is hardest for people to fulfil. The chat provided great insight for those who have read The Go-Giver and those who haven’t yet. 

Bob also shares what took him from his work in sales to becoming an author. His first book was Endless Referrals. When he isn’t speaking and writing, Bob fosters animals, working to bring about awareness on the treatment of animals and works with Furry Friends.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

When Bob agreed to sit down and chat with me, I was truly chuffed! The Go-Giver is a book I read after it was recommended to me a few times, once by someone who said I seemed to be living the values. That was a high compliment. In this chat, Bob redefined charitable giving for me and changed how I’ll talk about giving in the future. The perspective we came to on receptivity was enlightening as well. It is a short episode with a lot of ah-ha moments packed in so enjoy!

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Find Bob

Bob’s website: https://burg.com/

The Go-Giver Community: https://thegogivercommunity.com/  

The Go-Giver Book: https://amzn.to/3SlB1pK 

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Mentioned in this episode:

John David Mann: https://johndavidmann.com/ 

Randy Gage: https://www.randygage.com/

Sharon Lechter: https://sharonlechter.com/

Ken Honda: https://kenhonda.com/ 

Furry Friends: https://furryfriendsadoption.org/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Paul de Gregorio, Digital Mobilisation Strategist and Founder at Rally.

Paul works with organisations to help them come up come up with ways to bring together all of the public-facing elements to drive actions such as fundraising or advocacy. He started out in political fundraising with the Labour Party and has worked with political and social organisations since.

The areas he’s chosen to focus on are borne out of Paul’s own background being the son of Italian immigrants and being aware of how is family was treated but also the impact of witnessing activism in his teens and living through specific events in the 1980s in England and seeing people fighting against injustice.

Paul’s story of discovering he could have a career in what he doest today is one to hear. He started out in the mail room of an agency that focused on charity and political organisations and progressed through positions from there until he was Client Services Director. 

Paul founded Rally when he saw the same things happen over and over and truly believed in the approach of digital mobilisation which wasn’t a total fit within agencies. In founding his own agency, he can empower organisations with that focus. Through the Rally network, he can bring together others in various areas of expertise to work with him and each other when they are needed. 

We chat extensively about causes Paul supports and the impact each individual can have. Listen up for all of that plus what Paul does to disconnect and the invaluable advice he gives.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Paul de Gregorio is a legend. I’m using the term in the way I’ve heard it used since living in the UK. He’s someone who is constantly speaking up and working to positively impact others and embodies More Than Work. I was chuffed when he agreed to spend some time chatting with me and in listening back while editing became re-energized. 

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Find Paul

Paul’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/pauldegregorio

Paul’s Newsletter https://tinyletter.com/pauldegregorio

Paul’s Rant: https://medium.com/@pauldegregorio/some-new-rules-f8380d5b6ccf 

Rally’s Website: https://www.wearerally.co.uk/ 

Rally’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/LifeAtRally

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Mentioned in this episode:

Stonewall: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/ 

Mermaids: https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/ 

AOC: https://ocasio-cortez.house.gov/

VEEP https://twitter.com/veephbo 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Larry Sprung, founder and wealth advisor.

Larry is the founder of Mitlin Financial and the story of the naming of the firm is a sweet one. His reasons for going into wealth management are a reflection of the values shared in his family and the result of his upbringing. It is his way of serving others through the work he does.

Larry also created the Mitlin Money Mindset podcast. After publishing a blog but wanting to say more in a different way, the podcast was started as an opportunity to share content in a different way. Guests talk about getting into the success mindset and more.

Until recently, Larry served on the national board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. His involvement with the organization began after facing the loss of his wife’s brother. He started out by doing a golf fundraiser and now along with is wife, partners with romance authors for a book fundraiser every May. Through all of the efforts, they have raised over $1.7 million dollars for AFPA.

Peconic Hockey Foundation is another place Larry gives his time and effort. They are bringing hockey and awareness of the sport on the East end of Lang Island with the ultimate goal of building a facility so more families have access to the sport.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Listening back during editing, I remembered that was having a major hay fever bout during this episode! Don’t worry, I cut out the coughing fit! This episode coincidentally is being posted during Suicide Prevention Week. The work that the guest Larry and his wife have taken up for this cause is extraordinary. They turned tragedy into action and if you’ve been listening to the podcast for a while you’ll know that this is something I hold dear after my own losses around other circumstances and with regard to my own mental health. I’ve made a modest donation to the Keith Milano Memorial Fund to thank Larry for sharing his story and encourage you to do the same!

TW: mention of suicide

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Find Larry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawrencesprung 

Mitlin Financial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitlinfinancial 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larry_sprung  

MitlinFinancial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitlinfinancial/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lawrencesprung/ 

Mitlin Financial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitlinfinancial/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lawrence_Sprung 

Mitlin Financial Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitlinFinancial

Podcast: mitlinmoneymindset.com

Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitlinMoney 

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Mentioned in this episode:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/ 

Keith Milano Memorial Fund: https://keithmilano.org/ 

To Write Love on Her Arms: https://twloha.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Martina Carello, founder of the Colour Alchemist Canada.

In her business, she has sought to help others avoid mistakes that impede fashion business growth and success. Martina is also developing two clothing lines of her own including one that focuses on Gen X women and focuses not only on their bodies but also the stories the women have to tell. 

Martina’s love of clothes started early on and she was given her first sewing machine when she was eight. Though she started out in a liberal arts program when she first went to college, she ended up going to fashion college after reckoning with the passing of her grandmother who had been designer. She earned her degree in Fashion Design Marketing and even worked professionally during school.

We talk about her purpose and also about the way times have changed. Our chat takes place on the eve of Martina’s 50th birthday which makes it a reflective and reverent time to talk about life and career.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

It was fun talking to Martina, especially in the moments about nostalgia. We grew up at a similar time where our kind of play led to scraped knees and learning lessons about how to interact with friends IRL. She is making an impact while working in an area she loves. She shares an important lesson on how we can make am impact anywhere if that’s what we want to do.

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Find Martina

Colour Alchemist: https://www.colouralchemist.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colouralchemistcanada/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MartinaCarello

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinacarello/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colouralchemistcanada/ 

Myka Soula: https://www.mykasoula.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Sara Deacon, Life Balance Coach for Better Adulting, and podcaster.

Sara was working in postpartum care but once the pandemic hit, she began coaching full time when things went virtual. Her work became focused on young adults and teenagers. She works with them on decisions, understanding how to live in their core values and how to cope with different situations.

After her eldest son started learning karate, Sara decided to take on that challenge too and now she teaches martial arts part time. We chat about the lessons learned in practicing martial arts and starting such an activity as an adult. 

Martial Arts & Crafts podcast where she talks about creativity and discipline, and freedom and structure. Throughout, we also chat about the importance of positive self-talk which is something Sara is passionate about. 

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

I change things up for this week and am going to stop recording an intro to the podcast unless I feel like it’ll add to the episodes. This should save listeners 2-5 minutes and me quite a bit of editing time so I can keep bringing you More Than Work. This episode with Sara is an easy listen and made me think more about what words I choose to talk about myself, in a perfect week for that to happen. I’m off to Edinburgh for Edinburgh Fringe tomorrow! Enjoy the show.

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Find Sara

Website: saradeacon.com 

Podcast: https://pod.link/1535514321 

Facebook (Coaching): https://www.facebook.com/saradeaconcoach 

Instagram (Coaching): https://www.instagram.com/saradeaconcoach 

Twitter (Coaching): https://www.twitter.com/saradeaconcoach 

Facebook (Podcast): https://facebook.com/mymartialartsncrafts

Instagram (Podcast): https://instagram.com/mymartialartsncrafts

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Aunia Kahn, multimedia artist and creative entrepreneur. She founded both Rise Visible (formerly Light Owl Design) and Create for Healing which we discuss.

Rise Visible is a full-service branding, design and marketing agency. She started her career in web and graphic design just by chance when she was a musician and wanted to design her own album cover. The story is a good one so listen for that in the first 5 minutes of the episode. We talk about the benefits and challenges of having your own business.

Aunia is also open about living with a chronic illness and what that entails. She has has EDS, a disorder of the body’s connective tissue and explains this more as well as PoTS. Reality of living with a chronic illness and the ups and downs. 

Create for Healing is an educational platform that combines healing with fun and creativity. Aunia, a renowned artist, used healing and art in her own life and this platform is her gift to others, providing affordable art and programs to help people with their own healing and creativity. 

Listen for all this and how Aunia has become her own advocate and has taken a really realistic and grounded approach to everything!

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Those who live with a chronic illness have an understanding of others in the same position, even when the illnesses are different. I had not heard of EDS before meeting with Aunia but we understood some common issues we have as she lives with EDS and I live with Multiple Sclerosis. As the reader, you are facing your own challenges too. This chat felt like a talk with a friend who had done a lot of work and was meeting me at the level where I feel like I’m gotten to and that is a compliment. I hope you feel the same as you listen or it helps get you there!

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Find Aunia

Website: https://auniakahn.com/ 

Rise Visible: https://risevisible.com/ 

Create for Healing: https://createforhealing.com/ 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Jencey Keaton Episode: https://www.rabiahsaid.com/podcast/s5e8-jencey-keeton 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Joey Held, writer and podcaster.

Joey resides in Austin, TX but just before we chatted had attended the LA Times Festival of books in support of his book “Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life's Relationships”. He even had an encounter with a star of the New Girl who people have said the book reminds them of!

During lockdown, Joey started a newsletter called Crisp Bounce Pass that looks at the intersection of basketball and pop culture. It’s still going. We chat about that, his very first book and also his work at a creative agency. Oh, and he is also in a band.

His podcast, Good People, Cool Things is what you’ll want to tune into after hearing this interview. Come along now and learn about Joey. He might turn your frown upside down! 

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

This episode was recorded a couple of months ago and ironically I mention the weather is never warm in London. This week we had the biggest heat wave in years! It was a lot of fun talking about communication styles and learning about Joey and his work. I have a feeling that after listening he’s the kind of person you’ll want as a colleague and a friend. See what you think!

PS: there could have been many titles but this statement from Joey makes me laugh over and over again!

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Find Joey

Website: joeyheld.com

Crisp Bounce Pass: https://crispbouncepass.com/ 

The Burning Years: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4otyX8oeBPD3UENd0VyY9r 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/josephcurrency 

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Mentioned in this episode:

LA Times Festival of Books: https://events.latimes.com/festivalofbooks/ 

Max Greenfield: https://twitter.com/iamgreenfield 

Wattpad - https://www.wattpad.com/ 

David Shabani: http://www.ifeelgoodrightnow.com/ 

KLOVE Austin: https://listen.klove.com/ 

Nate Bargatze: https://natebargatze.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!