Play Your Position

In today's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with branding and storytelling expert Emma Donovan of Dapper. As we launch a new year, the ideas Emma shares about choosing online platforms, owning your story in an authentic way, and driving the narrative about yourself and your brand are timely -- and timeless.

Emma Donovan is a seasoned entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience in brand strategy and professional profiling. As co-founder of Dapper, she excels in creating innovative products and collaborating with brilliant minds. Emma's superpower lies in injecting enthusiasm and vibrancy into any situation. Currently, Emma's focus is on sustainable ways to approach personal brand development for entrepreneurs and leadership teams, in a way that's authentic and creates space to build their brands with intention.

Connect with Emma Donovan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmadonovan-dapper/

On her website: https://becomedapper.com/

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Your Legacy Your Life Program is open now for registration! Space is limited. Early bird pricing available until the end of the month.

Details for Your Legacy Your Life here: https://maryloukayser.com/legacy24/

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Happy New Year, Part 2! In today's episode you will hear 23 remarkable voices of the men who appeared on the Play Your Position Podcast in 2023. Below you will find a list of these men in alphabetical order by first name along with a way to connect with them. I encourage you to follow and reach out to the ones who resonate with you and your passions and goals.

From financial literacy to resonating stories of resilience and the power of community, these speakers underscore the multidimensionality of leadership. Together, they harmonize to redefine the essence of leadership in our era. It's a truly inspirational listen. Enjoy!

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Resources from Today's Show

What did you enjoy about this episode? Text me your feedback! Keep it kind, please :-) 503-567-8730

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The Men in Alphabetical Order

Andy Hite https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-hite/

Bryce Henson https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbrycehenson/

Chris Larsen https://www.linkedin.com/in/nextlevelincome/

Dr. Taylor Hartman https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-hartman-29b37a1/

Gordon Graham https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-graham-57385319a/

James Cluskey https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-cluskey-5bb8376a/

Jason Shen https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonshen/

John Gumas https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gumas-08046/

John Ovrom https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnovrom/

Josh Greene https://www.linkedin.com/in/greenejoshua/

Kevin Maney https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmaney/

Luis Scott https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-scott-bader-law/

Mark Brodinsky https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbrodinsky/

Mark Yegge https://www.linkedin.com/in/markyegge/

Mario Lanzarotti https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanzarottimario/

Owen McGab https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenmcgabenaohwo/

Patrick Woods https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickjwoods/

Paul Jackson https://grow.method.me/pyp/

Richard Newman https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardnewmanspeaks/

Rob Commodari https://www.linkedin.com/in/robcommodari/

Tim Yurek https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-yurek/

Tony Castillo https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-tony-castillo/

Zack Slingsby https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-slingsby-702461164/

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Every year, at the end of the year, I like to take the voices of the amazing leaders I had the privilege of speaking with over the past 12 months, and putting them together into one large file where we can listen to the amazing ideas and insights and inspiration they shared.

This year, I decided to do something different. I divided my guests into the women and the men. In this episode, you will hear the voices of the 13 incredible women from 2023 who shared their unique leadership journey with all of us here at PYP. Get ready to be inspired! = = = = =

Resources from Today's Show

What did you enjoy about this episode? Text me your feedback! Keep it kind, please :-) 503-567-8730 = = = = =

The Women in Alphabetical Order:

Alice Tang https://www.linkedin.com/in/askalicetang/

Amina Moreau https://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-moreau/

April Mitchell https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-mitchell-7132295b/

Barbara Turley https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-turley/

Catherine Tindall https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctindallcpa/

Dr. Brigitte Piniewski https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigittepiniewski/

Dr. Jean Oursler https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanoursler/

Lisa Seal https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-seal/

Marybeth Gregg https://www.linkedin.com/in/marybethgregg/

Melissa Hughes https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-lisa-hughes-mha-pmp-37147742/

MiMi Chau https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimichau/

Spencer Snakard https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencersnakard/

Stephanie Nivinskus https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanienivinskus/

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

As we come to the end of this year, it's a natural time to reflect. The holidays and the craziness leading up to Christmas are behind us now. This is a really fertile time to do some self-examination and put the past 12 months of your life under the microscope. What worked? What didn't? What do you wish you did more of? What unconventional adventures are calling you in the new year? Are you living a full life or are you playing it safe by someone else's rules?

All this and more in today's episode.

Resources mentioned in the show:

Get your free download of the year-end journal: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-131

Get Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Do you have an idea for a game, toy, or household product? Wondering what it takes to get your ideas into the marketplace? Ever fantasized about pitching a product to get a licensing deal?

Today's guest is April Mitchell, an expert and leader in the invention and licensing space. In our conversation, April shares her experiences inventing games and products, and getting deals from companies to have them made and distributed. She also discusses what happens when your idea isn't right for a company, and the question about patents almost everyone asks. You are going to love her energy and enthusiasm as you learn about turning your ideas into real games, toys, and products.

In April's own words: "I am a professional problem solver, creative thinker, idea machine, magic maker, dreamer, and What if-er , also known as an inventor and designer specializing in the toys, games, party, and housewares industries. A product licensing expert and designer for hire whom uses my background as an educator, military spouse, and the "Mom of 4 Factor" for developing and designing products in several industries with some help from my TEAM(family of 6). A 2x Patented inventor whom has designed, developed, and licensed concepts in several industries. Areas of expertise include: organizational and storage products, kitchen tools & gadgets, party supplies, preschool toys & games, family games, party games, adult games, strategy games, sports toys and games, and outdoor/yard games. These products inspired by life as a military family, teacher, and mom bring both function and fun to families' homes helping make life more enjoyable and convenient for everyone."

Connect with April on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-mitchell-7132295b/

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Are you ready for some awesome inspiration and laughs? Today's show features Andy Hite, a recognized leadership coach who supports entrepreneurs, executives, and their teams with energy and enthusiasm as they navigate the world of building businesses and lives filled with prosperity, meaning, & freedom.

Regardless of the setting—be it in front of an audience, within an intimate boardroom, or during individual client sessions—Andy's background in commercial theatre, as an actor and executive, lends a distinctive perspective to his coaching practice.

Committed to making an impact and facilitating transformative change, Andy empowers entrepreneurs and executives to unlock their full potential and thrive in their respective fields. Leading with heart, he creates a nurturing environment that fosters growth and paves the way for true authentic leadership.

With a wealth of personal and professional growth experience, Andy is passionate about helping his clients explore new possibilities, challenge their limits, and unlock their true potential. As an accomplished executive and entrepreneur coach, Andy has impacted countless lives and earned a reputation for excellence. He is a sought-after guest, inspiring audiences with insights on how to lead more powerfully, love more deeply, and live more fully.

Connect with Andy Hite on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-hite/

Take the assessment Andy mentioned here: https://scalingminds.com/pyp

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Today's guest is Jason Shen, a former national champion gymnast and an executive coach with a focus on resilience and reinvention. As CEO of Refactor Labs, he coaches entrepreneurs and teams through crucial transitions and writes about creative risk-taking in his weekly newsletter Cultivating Resilience. He has been published in TechCrunch, Fast Company, and Vox and a speaker at Grubhub, Procter & Gamble, and Pinterest.

After facing multiple setbacks including layoffs, lawsuits, company failure, and traumatic knee injuries, Jason sought to understand what it takes to adapt and overcome adversity. His skills based Resilience Rules framework has helped hundreds of founders, leaders, and professionals learn to respond, restore, rebuild and reflect in the face of change. Jason's next book is called The Path to Pivot—a playbook for entrepreneurs who want to reinvent their business—and will be released in Fall 2023.

Prior to Refactor Labs, Jason founded Ridejoy, a Y Combinator funded longdistance ridesharing marketplace, Headlight, a technical candidate assessment platform acquired by Woven, and Midgame, an AI gaming tools company acquired by Facebook (Meta). He holds the Guiness World Record for Aztec Pushups and two degrees from Stanford University. He lives in Brooklyn NY with his wife Amanda, a multidisciplinary artist.

Connect with Jason Shen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonshen/

Jason's website: https://www.jasonshen.com/

Get a copy of Jason's book: https://www.pathtopivot.com/

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Have you ever seen a performance that moved you at the soul level? I have many times and it just happened again the other night when I was watching the Country Music Awards. I don't have a long history with country music as I've been a rock n roll girl most of my life. However, several country artists are putting out music these days I'm drawn to which is part of the inspiration behind today's episode. We can learn a lot about playing our positions more effectively from watching and studying people who are at the top of their game including people like Chris Stapleton and what he symbolizes for all of us on a universal level.

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Watch Chris Stapleton perform at the CMA 2023:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLhs0jfVRB8

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Richard Newman is the Founder of Body Talk, a business that helps people improve their communication and impact. In the past 23 years his team has trained over 120,000 business leaders around the world. One client gained over $1 Billion in new business in just one year using Richard's techniques, winning 100% of their new business pitches.

When Richard was 18, he started his mission to discover the core principles of communication. As part of this mission, he lived in the foothills of the Himalayas with Tibetan monks who spoke no English. They had to communicate non-verbally to understand each other. He then worked as a professional actor before becoming a communication coach and keynote speaker.

Richard's research on non-verbal communication was published in the Journal of Psychology. His study proved that you can increase your leadership ratings by 44% and win 59% more votes in an election by changing a few simple behaviors. He has also won the coveted Cicero Grand Prize Award for Best Speechwriter of the Year. His new book 'Lift Your Impact' explores how you can transform your mindset, influence and future to elevate your work, team and life.

Connect with Richard on his website: https://ukbodytalk.com/

Get his book here: https://liftyourimpact.com/thebook

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

Have you ever felt like you're in a maze, searching for the elusive exit? I definitely have. Those times in my life when my vision and direction were muddy at best, I got so caught up in the whirlwind of life, I forgot the power of having a clear vision and direction. It's like having a treasure map without 'X' marking the spot. But here's the harsh and compelling truth: underestimating the influence of a vision can be akin to sailing without a compass—it leaves you wandering aimlessly in the vast ocean of opportunities.

In today's episode, I share my own experience with getting clear about the direction and vision of my life despite the chaos of the past two years that continues to impact where I'm going and why. I also share an excellent exercise you can do to get some clarity about the direction and vision of your life as we wind down one year and look ahead to a new one. It's really powerful and can give you peace of mind that might be missing from your life right now.

Let me know what you discover! Contact me here: https://maryloukayser.com/contact-mary-lou-kayser/

Listen to Episode 478: Alice Tang on Building a Powerful Professional Network

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My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here

Are we connected yet on social?

@maryloukayser (Instagram)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)