Today's podcast guest is Meredith Wolff, a corporate events leader and professional, who has worked to provide exceptional experiences for groups in the Asset Management world for years.  She brings innovative event strategies to satisfy the needs of her internal partners and an openness to collaborate with her providers.

We discuss:

-Growing up as an artist and using creativity now for events

-Understanding both spectrums as a supplier and a buyer to be more a more effective leader

-Doing homework all the time to understand the needs of her internal partners

-Suggestions for suppliers to make communication quick, easy, and timely

-Encouragement for asking questions to understand the true needs

-"Doing" what "Most People Don't" out of kindness and superior internal drive for success

Connect with Meredith here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-wolff-cmp-0265205/

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

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www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's podcast guest is James McDonald.  He is a Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader, an author, an Empowerment Speaker, and a People Transformer.  He works with AvalonBay Communities and inspires and teaches his colleagues to make a difference, for each other and for their residents.  James is also the CEO of The InspireME group, which helps to encourage those needing the power to be heard. 

He is passionate about WORDS and Language and uses vocabulary to help others change their lives. "Think it, say it, do it".  Words have changed his life and has allowed him to rise out of dark moments to have clarity and vision.

We discuss:

-Chickens don't soar with Eagles

-Using words to get to where he needs to be

-Being selfless

-Not knowing it all

-Understanding that nothing should remain the same

More about his books and his philosophy can be found at https://iamjrmcdonald.com or by contacting him at [email protected]. 

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

I met Richie at the bottom of a mountain in Aspen.  He was quietly celebrating something quite remarkable, and he asked me to take a photo to capture his moment. It has been 18 years to the day of him not having a single seizure after experiencing over 3,000 of them before his surgical procedure that removed 3 inches of his brain. It was magical that I met this man on such a special day.

He shared more of his story with me and it resonated so intensely that I felt compelled to share it on this podcast. 

Richie Shane lives with the mantra, "Why Not Me?".  Not from a pity perspective, but rather from "I'm strong enough to handle anything, why not me."  He has used his medical situation to help others, to show people how they can handle epilepsy, and how they can "win".  Someone has to win, why not YOU!

He uses the same approach as the founder of The World's Greatest Vacations (https://www.theworldsgreatestvacations.com/) where he is able to GUARANTEE RESULTS for his customers, because no one can GUARANTEE a healthy life.  He has control of his thoughts and how he makes others feel. 

More About Richie Shane:

Viewed as an expert in luxury marketing, a career started with strategic planning for American Express, Trans World Airlines, the yachting industry and leading Madison Avenue ad agencies, lead to the launch of Treasure Chest Themed Value Mail, Inc in 1991. Initially serving as direct marketing for the yachting industry, Richard Shane expanded into international snow sports and ultimately manifested into The World’s Greatest Vacations, travels largest circulation multi-channel media exclusively for….the world’s leading vacations.

Shane is also a valued consultant in creative ways to maximize a marketing budget. Creating win-win relationships for yacht shows and luxury travel brands, for example. Cross promotional relationships and of course, ensuring communications is laser targeted with maximum impact.

The World’s Greatest Vacations is a team of the world’s greatest digital and traditional marketers, graphic designers, CRM and database experts. Most importantly, we are passionate, nice and like to be helpful. Our offices are NYC, Los Angeles, Europe, South Florida and someplace we’ve not yet been but will be soon.

Richard Shane boasts, “accountability and pride is why we guarantee to surpass both marketing and sales objectives. If we fail to exceed expectations, tell me and a make good will be provided”.

His greatest passions are skiing, boating, marathon running and helping epilepsy related charities. After 22 years and 3,000 seizures Shane is one of the first and few people to be cured of epilepsy as a result of surgery at NYU Langone Hospital. His story was profiled and voted the year’s most inspirational by the New York Press Club.

Feel free to connect with him on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-shane-75882225/

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's special guest is Scott Wiseman, Senior Vice President & General Manager at Apple Leisure Group.  He is a dear friend from our Penn State days together and we have remained connected.  

He has had massive career acceleration by accepting every "double dog dare" challenge and achieving the impossible.  An incredible strategic business leader that has already accomplished so much!

We discuss:

-Having a passion for work

-Listening more than talking

-Not needing to treat everyone the same to be fair

-Working hard to find the balance

More about Scott:  

He is a lifelong hospitality executive whose career has spanned both hotel and travel sectors of the industry. He is fortunate to leverage a uniquely balanced background in sales, marketing, finance, analytics and operations for his current responsibilities as Senior Vice President & General Manager of Apple Leisure Group Vacations where he is responsible for oversight of six of Apple Leisure Group's brands.

(1) Scott Wiseman | LinkedIn

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's podcast guest is Jami Stapelmann, Executive Director with Estee Lauder Companies.  She can write the playbook for leadership and mentoring.  Growing up in rural Wisconsin, she quickly learned about hard work and independence.  She spent time in retail and the airlines industry before accelerating her career with Estee Lauder. 

We discuss:

-Hiring for character and teaching for the position 

-Moving transactions to value creation opportunities

-How she uses Focus and Discipline to get things DONE

-Mentoring others and not allowing any "passive memberships"

-Who you are is not what you are

-Embracing her roots and realizing the ability of making others "feel" a certain way in her leadership roles

More about Jami:

Jami Stapelmann brings knowledge and experience in strategic planning, project management and innovation concentrated in the travel/hospitality sector.  Ms. Stapelmann began her career as a buyer for Macy’s department stores and has held various management and leadership positions.  Her current role at Estee Lauder Companies, is Executive Director Global Travel and Meeting Services. She was recently named one of the Top 25 Influencers in the Meetings Industry by Successful Meetings and was selected as one of the Top 25 Women in the Meetings Industry by Meetings and Conventions Magazine. Jami holds a B.S. from the University of Wisconsin and GLP designation from the Wharton School.

Connect with her at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jami-stapelmann-b3186b5/

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's podcast guest is Siddhali Shree.  I first met her when we were both in New York City preparing to deliver our TEDx Talks.  When I saw her arrive into the building, I immediate sensed a "glow of peace" radiate from her.  Initially I didn't know if she was an instructor, a guest, or a presenter but I was drawn to her spirit.  Although we had only met moments before I took to the stage, I saw her supporting me from the front row and she offered me encouragement with her engagement and approvals. 

Since that initial encounter, we are connected and are partnering on several initiatives to help people together.  

We discuss:

-The importance of LOVING yourself, being kind to yourself, and forgiving yourself

-Ways to view your mind and body as instruments for your soul

-Trusting yourself to be able to flow with life

-Knowing that you are not your education, title, money, or job... You are more than how other people perceive you or how you were taught to think about yourself. 

Sadhvi Siddhali Shree is the first North American Jain female-monk, a US Army Iraq veteran, international speaker, author, documentarian, and an activist for social justice.

Driven by her deep-seated devotion to humanity, she uses her talents and skills to raise awareness about violence in the world and ways to change it.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from California State University, Long Beach and a background in web development, marketing,  video production, and book publishing, she has helped spread the teachings of her spiritual mentor, Acharya Shree Yogeesh, which has touched and transformed millions of lives.

She serves as the Spiritual Director of Siddhayatan Tirth and International Society of Human Unity’s Director. She’s passionate about social movements that focus on non-violence, human rights, gender equality, trafficking, and the youth. 

Her latest works are the STOPPING TRAFFIC & SURVIVING SEX TRAFFICKING films. Available on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/Surviving-Sex-Trafficking-Angela-Williams/dp/B09P9FGJPX

More about Siddhali can be found on these sites: https://siddhalishree.com/ and https://siddhayatan.org/

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's podcast guest is Cameron Lee.  A viral influencer with MILLIONS OF LIKES.  He has had the unusual ability, even from a young age, to know himself and the environment required to be in for maximum success and happiness.  As a child moving to the US from Taiwan and not knowing English, he told his parents, "I need to be in the class that challenges me in order to learn quicker."  

He continues with this self knowledge as an entrepreneur creating his own luxury travel marketing/public relations brand. He helps travel destinations and services through his brand partnerships. 

We discuss:

-Creating an influencer business when other brand partners weren't delivering, with a focus on the customer.  He delivers what his clients need, not what he wants to share.

-Doing what "Most People Don't" by reaching out during his internship to marketing executives sharing his ideas, instead of being satisfied with getting coffee and donuts for the staff.

-His efforts to help increase awareness for Asian actors.

-Providing ideas for aspirational travelers and to encourage everyone to follow their dreams

Cameron has been profiled by The Washington Post as “One of the travel influencers changing the way we see the world.”  As a creator, he has spoken on a panel hosted by Facebook on the state of travel and diversity in travel advertising. He is a frequency speaker at Pepperdine Business School and has been a keynote speaker at Pinterest on how to leverage social media as a branding tool for individuals and brands.

Prior to becoming a content creator, Cameron worked in PR/Marketing for over 10 years in fashion, entertainment, and hospitality.

Cameron combined his passion for travel with his professional background and launched his social media platform. Focused on luxury lifestyle and travel, Cameron creates visual stories taking his audience on a visual journey of the best in life and travel.

He has been interviewed by Business Insider, Parade Magazine, Out Traveler, and his photos have been featured by CNN Travel, Forbes Travel Guide and many other travel platforms. 

More can be found at: https://outwithcameron.com

https://www.instagram.com/thecameronlee/

TikTok: @thecameronlee

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

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Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's podcast guest is Bill Hopkins, Musician, Producer, and Creator of The Bill Hopkins Rock'n Orchestra.  His is a wildly talented person that has created an Entertainment Empire for performing, producing, and arranging music for his customers.  Because of his authentic approach and "white glove service", he has created loyalty beyond reason not only for his clients but also for his bandmates.  

He shares that his life started over when he pursued his passion full time after literally being "knocked over the head" while riding in a salt truck in the dead of winter in New Hampshire.  Bill knew something needed to change so used the $50 bus ticket to anywhere to head to California where he made his dreams come true.

We discuss:

-Doing his business better and differently to make an impact

-How difficult it is to remain relevant in the entertainment world and "making it for a moment" doesn't create a lifetime of success

-His focus on customer service, follow up, follow up, and more follow up

-Selling experiences over promoting entertainment

-The value of authenticity with a special shout out to Tee Nuchai (his wife, business partner, and driver of ideas)

More can be found about Bill, his band, and his other service offerings at:  https://www.billhopkinsevents.com and https://hoprock.com

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's guest is Jeffrey Brenner, Director of Special Markets/Military Seiko Watch of America LLC.  To me he embodies the ultimate relationship driven sales person whose interests in helping others and connecting people isn't self serving.  We met at a conference last year when I was presenting and he continues to be a friend and massive industry supporter.

What was initially intriguing to me was Jeffrey's approach to "doing" and always going "above and beyond" to satisfy and support others.

He travels extensively but manages to maintain integration with his personal life to remain fulfilled.

We discuss:

-Growing up and adoring his families small business in Alabama

-The value of giving and the meaning behind a gift

-When gifts represents more than a physical item and rather signifies the value it holds to the recipient (measured in time and experiences)

-The value of asking the right questions, more important than just selling something

-Building trust through creating the unexpected

-Doing not just the basics, but above and beyond the basics

Jeffrey has a diverse background in sales, marketing and business development in B2B, B2C and D2C channels. Previous companies include Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ashford.com, Hartmann Luggage and Steuben Crystal. Currently, Director Special Markets and Military divisions at Seiko Watch of America LLC. Past President of the Incentive Manufacturers and Representatives Alliance (IMRA) and a member of the Executive Committee for the Incentive Marketing Association (IMA).

Connect with him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-brenner-cpim-2502a07/

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]

Today's guest is Koleen Roach, a dear friend, a giving person, and an incredibly strategic and socially considerate human being!  She shares the best originating advice she received from a mentor was to remain "unflappable".  Be strong, solid, and flexible to be able to serve as a leader for others.  

Recently I experienced this first hand as she planned and executed an event for over 1000 people.  Her approach was content, joyous, and present.  She not only knew her participants but also their family members.  She offered extra gestures to ensure everyone was comfortable.  Even when things didn't go as hoped, she remained UNFLAPPABLE. 

We discuss:

-Growing up shy and realizing that not talking to people did not provide benefit to anyone

-While learning from books, she also approaches learning from life similarly... don't make the same mistake twice, learn from experiences, and then turn the page.  There is so much more to learn from future situations and future chapters.

-Taking risks, lacking fear, having confidence, and course correcting

-Accepting and listening to others to help them become better and grow

-Learning to deal with the hard stuff, the conflict, the challenges, and THEN LEARNING HOW TO MOVE FORWARD

Koleen Roach is the Director of Meetings and Conference Management at St. Paul-based Securian Financial Group. More about Koleen can be found at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/koleen-roach-4730769/

Most People Don't | Resources

Learn additional key take-aways by listening to more of Bart Berkey's conversations with successful leaders on his weekly podcast.

Please subscribe, like & share to help others find these words of wisdom.

www.mostpeopledont.com

Any KEYNOTE SPEAKING OR LEADERSHIP TRAINING REQUESTS can be directed to [email protected]