Power Your Platform

In today’s episode, my guest is Grief Literacy expert V. Ophelia Rigault.   

With more than 20 years of experience as a trainer, speaker and success empowerment coach, Ophelia specializes in emotional resiliency, grief literacy, assertiveness communication, mental-health wellness and mindfulness practices.   

In today’s interview, Ophelia and I get real about grief and the impact it has on the workplace and why it’s so important to address the different forms of grief.  What I love about Ophelia is her calm way of approach what for so many is a nearly impossible topic of conversation. 

So I hope you’ll get real with us for the next few minutes and explore your own understanding of what grief is and the important role it plays in our lives.   

Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s interview:   

1. Grief takes time. We may never fully get over some losses in our lives – and that’s OK. It just makes us human.   

2. We need to get REAL by embracing Resiliency, Equity and Authentic Leadership.   

3. We move through grief as grief moves through us.   

4. Organizations need to have a grief wellness plan.   

5. Women in leadership are ushering in a new era of Emotional Intelligence – and that’s a good thing.   

6. Grief needs to be a part of our everyday conversation, not avoided as some taboo topic.   

7. Different countries, cultures and races have different views on loss.   

8. We need to take a more inclusive approach to grief literacy.   

9. We don’t need to fix people’s grief; we just need to be there for them.   

10. Organizations can distinguish themselves as employers of choice by creating an inclusive work environment that invites employees to bring their whole self to work.   

Thanks so much for listening in to today! 

EPISODE LINKS: 

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe 

REAL Talk with V. Ophelia Rigault - https://www.vopheliarigault.com/

Hey there, Story Sister! In today’s episode, I’m going to share with you a story about discovering new doors and new ways of reaching your audience.  

My daughter recently started back to school for her second year at university. On her first day of class she told me she tracked down her classroom and showed up nice and early. Soon, other students began to arrive in the hallway outside the assigned classroom. But there was no teacher in sight. Someone tried the door. And it was locked. So the students kept waiting out in the hallway.  

Eventually it was time for class to start, but the door was still locked and there was still no teacher. And then – one of the students took a short walk to the end of the hallway and turned the corner – and – can you guess what they found? 

That’s right - there was a second door to the classroom. And half of the students had entered there, but the other half were waiting with my daughter at the locked door in the second hallway.  

The story ended well, with all the students eventually finding their way into the right space.  

But when my daughter told me this story, it made me think.  After all, how many of us are standing at locked doors waiting for someone to show up with a key and let us in.  

So here's my challenge to you today: always look for the SECOND door.  My experience has taught me that if one door is locked – there’s always another way in.  And today, I’m going to talk to you about that second door which you may have overlooked when it comes to marketing and promoting your program, your product or service.  

The first door you may already be using is called Owned Media.  Owned Media is what we call those channels or platforms where we essentially control the content. Examples would be our web site, our blog, our email list, our YouTube channel or podcast maybe an e-book and even our social media properties like Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. When it comes to Owned Media, we can pretty much control most of what happens in those spaces I mentioned.  On the other hand, Owned Media really relies on people already know about us and where we share our content. But it’s only one way into the room. It’s only the first door.  So today I want to encourage you to go down the hallway and peer around the corner. 

Because waiting for you there is the Second Door.  And that door is called Earned Media. Earned media refers to stories that are generated about you or your business that don’t come directly from you. You’ve earned the right to be talked about by doing the amazing things you’re doing. And that’s where media relations and third-party endorsement and testimonials come in. Earned media includes all of those things. It also includes important social proof like product or business reviews as well as invitations to be a guest on other people’s stages or podcasts or blogs or YouTube channels.  So why is Earned Media such an important doorway for you to be aware of? The impact of Earned Media can actually be more valuable than what you say about yourself on your Owned Media. We tend to believe more in a business when OTHER people are saying great things about it, am I right? Because it packs a powerful punch when someone ELSE highlights the amazing work you’re doing. PLUS while your Owned Media allow you to build relationships with your EXISTING audience, Earned Media introduces you to NEW audiences. And new audiences = growth.  

P.S. The third door I mention in this episode is PAID Media. And it’s helpful too, but mostly for Story Pros. 

Remember, when you're looking to grow your audience and expand your reach, you can't rely on only one door. Explore your options!

PowerHER Platform - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

In today’s bonus Thanksgiving episode, I’d like to share with you the 3 reasons why I believe we need to be grateful for the stories we’ve been given to carry through this life. 

Because not all of our stories are easy ones to live with or to share. But I’m a big believer that every single one of us has a story to share. And that our story is our superpower. Because no one else has the same story we do.

 So when we share our highs and our lows, someone else is able to benefit from our unique perspective and the lessons we’ve learned. 

I don’t know who it was who first made the observation that “Our mess is our message” but it certainly rings true. I’m a writer. I’ve always been a writer. And so I think I’ve always thought of life in terms of stories. 

And that means I see every day as a page and every season of life as a new chapter. And somehow, this image brings me comfort, especially during times of personal chaos or global disaster. So when we look back on our day or our week or even a chapter of our lives, it’s important to recognize the progress we’ve made along our journey. 

And when we do, I believe there are at least 3 reasons we can be grateful for the story path that’s led us to this moment in time. 

1. Owning our story is an act of self-love and acceptance. If we reject our own story, we’re actually rejecting a part of ourselves – the part we don’t want to own or we want to forget. But the experiences we’ve had in life and the emotions we’ve felt along the way become woven into the fabric of who we are somehow. In the poem “Ulysses” by Alfred Tennyson, there’s a line that says, “I am a part of all that I have met.” And I can relate to that. How about you? 

2. Our stories tie us to each other. Our stories connect us to our romantic partners, work colleagues, our neighbours, our family members, our friends. Some people we’re tied to with fragile strings that snap when put under even the smallest strain. But others are strong like nautical rope and they hold the ship steady even in the strongest storms. Those are the shared stories I’m most grateful for. Because they tell me that no matter what happens, those people will always be there for me. 

3. Our stories are the evidence of how far we’ve come. We have travelled smooth roads and we have travelled rocky paths. But we have travelled. And every road and every story has been a part of our human experience. After all, a part of being human is experiencing the full range of human emotions. As much as we’d like to be , we’re not just here for the joy or happiness or elation or peace. That’s not reality. Life is also about experiencing sadness and betrayal and loss and frustration and anger and despair. That’s real life. A life fully lived. This third reason to appreciate our stories reminds me of the inukshuks constructed by the Inuit in the far north. In case you’re not familiar with what an inukshuk is, it’s a handmade structure built of rocks, often in the form of a human figure. When I think about Inukshuks, I think of stories. Because like inukshuks, stories tell us someone has already passed by ahead of us. Maybe they’ve experienced a positive or a traumatic event, and the story they leave is a marker. It’s a way to find our way home. And in some ways, it’s a symbol of hope. 

By owning, accepting and appreciating our story, we’re empowering ourselves and the people around us. Because when we acknowledge our truth and share it with others, we’re no longer stuck in our story. We’re able to leave a marker that says, “yes, I was here, but now I’ve moved on. And I’m leaving behind this evidence to help others by making their journey a little bit easier”. 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

PowerHER Platform - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

Hey there, Story Sister – Welcome back to Episode 25 of the Power Your Platform Podcast! I for one can’t believe we’re already here at this 25-episode milestone! But that’s exactly why I wanted to focus on the topic today of Celebrating Everything and the Importance of Marking Your Story Milestones.   

Because let’s face it: most of us are moving through life at warp speed. I mean think back to your last birthday – raise your hand if were you double-counting the candles on your own cake because you couldn’t quite believe you were “that age” already? Yeah, me too!   

So today we’re going to spend some talking about celebrating our story milestones and learning how we can invite our audience on board to celebrate with us.   

Here are the 3 reasons to celebrate everything and mark your story milestones:   

1. Celebrating the small stuff helps us cultivate gratitude.  The bottom line is that celebrating the small stuff helps us notice the small stuff MORE – and the truth is, we’re surrounded by small stuff every day, aren’t we? Imagine how joyful our lives would be if we suddenly began to celebrate the stuff we take for granted like toilets that flush or flannel sheets or muddy paw prints on the kitchen floor. And when it comes to our personal or professional growth – well, there’s plenty of room to celebrate. Be sure to keep track of your progress in a journal or using some key metrics that matter to you – and then when you reach your goals or micro-goals, haul out the balloons and let the festivities begin!   

2. Celebrating the small stuff quiets our negative thoughts.   When we celebrate the milestones in our lives – whether big or small -- we’re telling those negative thoughts they’re straight-up out of touch. Because look at all the amazing progress we’re making. Even if we’ve taken a baby step every day for the past month – that’s a huge leap ahead in 30 days. In fact, I’m constantly impressed by how much progress my clients make when they’re committed to taking action and building their purpose-driven platform. It’s astounding what even one small action a day can amount to after a month or 6 months or a year! So when we keep track of where we started and how far we’ve come, there’s no denying that there’s cause for celebration. And when we celebrate our current position and the steps that led us here, we remind ourselves that the negative thoughts inside our head are just thoughts. They’re there because our human brains are designed to protect us against the unknown. But that’s where their power ends.   

3. Celebrating the small stuff gets us excited about what’s coming next!   Because life is a journey, and we’ve still got a long ways to go! But when we recognize what we’ve achieved so far, it should motivate us to realize that the possibilities ahead of us are endless. In fact, celebration can be the fuel that drives us to our next milestone. Olympic gold medalist and professional soccer player Mia Hamm once said, “Celebrate what you’ve accomplished, but raise the bar a little higher each time you succeed.” So you celebrate your success, look ahead and set new milestones. And then be sure to celebrate each one. Because life is so much richer and more joyful when we celebrate – don’t you agree? 

So until further notice – let’s celebrate everything! Are you with me? Alright then – could you please pass the cake?   

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

My guest on the podcast today is Theresa Bailey, the founder of Starfish Synergies which is the exclusive provider of wait for it… PLAY-DOH POWER SOLUTIONS corporate training.    

That’s right, she trains professional problem-solvers using one of the most iconic children's toys of all time. How much do you love that?   Theresa attributes her success to believing that real change happens when you tap into your intuition, get outside your comfort zone, and surround yourself with a trustworthy and talented team.    

In today’s interview, Theresa and I talk about unleashing the power of our own creativity and building teams that take a fresh approach to problem-solving.    

Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s interview:    

1. When we engage multiple senses in our problem-solving, we’re naturally more creative.   

 2. Rediscovering our Creative IQ is a big part of become innovators, both at work and in life.    

3. Flexing our creative muscle daily helps us deal with new challenges more effectively.    

4. All species who play as infant animals do better as adult problem-solvers.    

5. We’re never going to do thing differently until we start thinking differently.   

6. Trying new things can help us move past our creative blocks.    

7. Unlearning is sometimes a part of the creative process.    

8. You need to carve out time to be creative and spontaneous!    

9. Always stay open to new opportunities.    

10. Surround yourself with people who cheer you on in your personal growth and development.    

EPISODE LINKS:  

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807  

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/  

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe 

Starfish Synergies - https://starfishsynergies.com/ 

Today’s episode is all about getting your purpose-driven platform off the ground – but rather than just jumping in without a plan, I’m here to help you out.  Because a lot of the women I know are really overwhelmed about how to start and when to start and frankly, why they should even start in the first place.  

So today I’m going to introduce you to the C’s the Day Success Strategy – which is all about getting to know the 5 Cs that will move you from Conviction to Conversion. 

And it’s a great path to travel if you want to move towards launching a successful brand than not only gets you noticed, but also gets you paid.  

Here are the 5C's in the C's the Day Success Strategy: 

1. Conviction  Every great brand starts with a moment of conviction. And by that, I mean a glimpse of what you want the world to look like, and how you can play a role in bringing about that change. Your conviction should be the evidence we need to know we’re in the right place and that this is our time. And while you may feel like a huge imposter, your story is what qualifies you to take the next step.  

2. Commitment  Commitment is the differentiating factor that will position you for success when the others stop swimming. So even if you do nothing but keep waking up every morning and putting gone foot in front of the other, then you’re still going to be ahead of the person who gave up the first time things got hard. Because success isn’t a sprint – it’s a marathon. And commitment is the quality that sets the world’s best apart from the rest.  

3. Connection  Let me ask you this: are you plugged into a community of women who build you up? Brene Brown once said, “Connection is why we are here. We are hard-wired to connect with others.” And I really believe that. So as a part of your success journey, I want you to consider really plugging into this idea of connection. Once you’re convicted of the change you want to see in the world, and you’re committed to making an impact, you need to find a community of people who will support your efforts.  

4. Consistency  Entrepreneur and author Marie Foreleo has famously said, “Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.” So if you get nothing else out of today’s podcast, remember this: consistency will get you there. That means showing up every day and putting in the time you have available to move your dream forward.  

5. Conversion  A lot of women I know struggle with this last step. And the result is that they get stuck offering everything for free forever. But remember, if we’re offering our services for free indefinitely, that’s not a business. That’s a hobby. And if you’re looking for a hobby, there’s nothing wrong with that. But if you want a business, then you need to track your conversion rates. So once you’re convicted of your purpose and you commit to it, and you connect with your audience and show up consistently to offer them value, then conversion should be a natural next step. But only if you make the ask. And by that I mean, you need to state what your paid offer is and how they can get it. Keep in mind that there’s a buyer at every price point. If you’ve done your market research and you’ve settled on a fair price, then you don’t need to discount that price for no reason or make apologies for it.  

So which stage of the C’s the Day Strategy are you at today? And what action will it take for you to move to the next level? 

Looking for a great online community of women leaders, speakers and entrepreneurs? If so, join us inside the free Power Your Platform Facebook group today!

Today, I’m sharing 3 simple storytelling secrets that I came across recently when I revisited the age-old fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  

Storytelling Secret #1  - Structure Your Story.  “Once upon a time.” How many times have you heard that phrase before? For me, they’re comforting words. They tell me, someone’s about to tell a story. The words also provide structure – it signals the start of something. And if there’s one thing that we humans gravitate towards, it’s structure. It provides us with familiarity and comfort – especially during chaotic times like the ones we’re living through right now. Adopt a familiar style or set of words or a phrase that your audience will hear and know where you’re going with it.  Look for ways you can introduce structure into your messaging. Do you have a regular social media feature that your audience looks forward to, like a Tuesday Tips for Friday Fun Fact? What about the structure of your newsletter? Are there familiar elements that your audience starts to look forward to each time? If you have a blog or a YouTube channel or a podcast, do you use familiar intros and outros and musical interludes to provide your audience with a signal about what they can expect next? These are just a few ways to incorporate structure into YOUR storytelling, but even these simple approaches can make your messaging clearer and more consistent and memorable for your target audience.  

Storytelling Secret #2 - Use the Rule of 3.  Many fairy tales use the Rule of 3 storytelling approach. Besides Goldilocks and the 3 Bears, there’s the tale of The 3 Little Pigs and the story of The 3 Billy Goats Gruff. And there are plenty of other example inside traditional tales like Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella and Snow White that do things in sets of 3. And there’s a reason for this. It turns out, 3 is the smallest recognizable pattern, which helps make it more memorable for audiences. And since most traditional stories were told orally, early storytellers needed all the help they could get to remember their own stories and help their audiences remember them as well.  Just think of all the messages we get in 3s even as adults: Stop, drop and roll. Location, location, location. Reduce, reuse, recycle. We’re immersed in a culture that adheres to the Rule of 3 and as a result, we respond well when there are 3 examples given or there are 3 rules to follow or 3 parts of a solution. Now you can’t always provide your solution in 3 parts or provide 3 examples. But it’s something to keep in mind when you’re developing your story brand.  

Storytelling Secret #3 - Always Be Testing.  Do you remember the heart of the story when Goldilocks tries each of the three bowls of porridge? The first she finds is too hot. Th second one is too cold. And the third is just right. Similarly she sits in 3 chairs. The first is too big. The second is too small. And the third is just right. Finally, she tries out 3 beds. The first is too hard. The second is too soft. And the third is just right. And she falls right asleep! So what does this teach us. Well, it pays to keep on trying until we find exactly the right fit.  And I love that lesson when it’s applied to our messaging. We don’t always know which words or which call to action or even which product or service is going to land with our audience until we begin experimenting. And when we do, we’ll find some methods that aren’t a fit – but if we keep trying, we WILL find the right platform or approach that resonates not only with us, but with our audience as well. Don’t be afraid to fail once in a while. Because failure is not the opposite of success; it’s a part of success.  And they all lived, happily ever after!

PowerHER Platform - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

One of the biggest struggles I find women face when building a brand is getting really clear on who serve, the problem they solve and how.   So today I'm going to introduce you to what I call my 4M Focus Finder Solution.  

Let’s take a look at each of these focus finders one at a time, to help us get more clarity in our business and help us stay focused on what’s really important.   

Your Mission Statement - Without a mission, you’re really just wandering aimlessly, am I right? If we’re business today, we really need to get crystal clear on what the purpose is behind our messaging and the business we’re building around it. Your mission statement is a short phrase or sentence that tells the world what your brand purpose is and how you achieve that purpose. To create your mission statement, use a simple, fill-in-the-blank approach. First insert your business name followed by what you do and the reason you do it. For instance “At PowerHER Platform, we amplify the voices of women leaders, speakers and entrepreneurs because the world needs to hear more women’s stories.”   

Your Manifesto – Fun fact: manifestos were once considered the rallying cry of rebels and uprisers. Today, they’re a great tool to capture your core values and the essence of your brand. In a way, they’re still a rallying cry – only this time, you’re letting the world know what you’re all about. A manifesto is often a collection of “I believe” statements which clearly articulate to the reader or listener what’s at the heart of that person or company’s motivation and their intentions or point of view. I challenge you today to start by identifying 3-5 values that are at the heart of your own life and your business if you have one. After that, I encourage you to come up with 8-10 “I believe” statements that tell the world what you stand for. I promise it will be as much an eye-opener for you as it will for your audience.   

Your Motto - A motto is sometimes also called a slogan or tagline and it helps position your brand in the mind of your core customer. Our motto is “The world is waiting to hear your story.” It helps us focus by bringing us back to our core purpose. When creating your own motto, remember that the best ones are 3-8 words long. Make your motto clear and memorable. Just have fun with it and keep it simple.   

Your Mantra – While your motto is your external message, your mantra is internal. This is the core phrase you repeat to yourself (sometimes many times a day) to keep you focused on your main mission and your core customer. While a motto is an external motivating statement urging customers to take action, a mantra is an internal motivating statement meant to help keep you focused on your core customer and true purpose. One mantra I’ve used inside my own business is “Courage brings change”. It’s a simple but powerful reminder to myself that even when I’m trying something new, there can be no change without courage. Whatever your mantra is, keep it short so you can remember it and repeat it as many times as you need to throughout your day.  Your mantra could even be a single word that brings you back to your quiet centre when you get off-track, and helps you refocus on what really matters inside your business. 

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, I have the privilege of speaking with a young woman who was given a story she didn’t ask for at the age of 16 – but since then, she discovered it’s a story worth sharing.  

Ashley Clark is the founder of the Canadian MRKH Foundation which supports women with a medical condition known as MRKH Syndrome. MRKH affects 1 in 5000 women, and is a congenital disorder that affects the female reproductive system. 

The result is that women like Ashley are essentially born without a womb.  Ashley learned she had the condition when she was a teenager and understandably, it rocked her world. 

Today, she’s in her 20s and a passionate advocate and organizer of MRKH conferences and fundraising events in support of ongoing MRKH education and community building.  

In today’s interview, Ashley and I talk about what it takes to get comfortable talking about uncomfortable topics. We also discuss the power of community and how to share a story society tells us is taboo.  

Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from today’s interview:  

1. Owning and sharing our story can help us feel less alone.  

2. Sometimes we’re given a story we didn’t ask for. But it’s still worth sharing.  

3. It gets easier to tell your story the more you share it.  

4. When we share the uncomfortable parts of our lives with each other, we feel more empowered – and we also empower others to tell their uncomfortable stories.  

5. Don’t let society decide if your story is worth sharing; every story deserves to be heard.  

6. Put your story into motion today by taking small steps – but always be focused on a bigger future goal.  

7. Don’t get put off if someone reacts negatively to your story; that says more about them than it does about you. Keep going!  

8. When we own our story, we begin to experience greater empathy for others and the stories they carry with them.  

9. Be grateful for the little things; because it all matters.  

10. When we share our story, we never know who’s listening or who we’re inspiring. So keep on sharing! Thanks so much for listening in to today.  

EPISODE LINKS: 

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807 

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe 

MRKH Canada - https://www.canadianmrkhfoundation.com/

Today, we’re discussing one of the biggest fears human beings have on the planet: that age-old fear of getting up on stage and speaking in front of an audience. In order to amplify our message, we need to have the courage to speak out.  And one of the tools you can use to do just that is my 6-point Fear Formula.  

And hey, I’ll let you in on a secret ahead of time, there’s nothing magical about it; but I do guarantee that if you take each step to heart and practice it over time, then you’re going to see results.  

The experts at Psychology Today tell us that many people who suffer from the fear of public speaking believe they’re not qualified enough or well-practiced enough or talented enough to be onstage.  At the heart of this fear is that we’ll somehow be rejected or ridiculed when we offer our point of view. The difference between getting up on a stage and having a private conversation with one or two people, is the perception that we’re somehow being evaluated when we take our place at a podium. Interesting, right?  So if you struggle with speaking in public, here are 6 tactical steps to help you get out of your head and not only survive your next public speaking experience, but actually ENJOY it!  

Step 1 - Love Your Audience. At the heart of loving your experience onstage, is the fundamental shift in focus from seeing your audience as a group of people to be feared as opposed to a community of human beings who want and need to hear the message you have to share.  

Step 2 - Name Your Fear. And I mean that literally. There’s a technique I read about once and it really stuck with me. It was all about giving your fear a silly name and as a mom, that really resonated with me. Because how many times have we done the same thing for our kids. Imagine your fear of public speaking as a furry little monster. And give him or her a silly name. I call mine Gizmo. And the more see my fear as a furry, little monster rather than some dark overwhelming presence I was able to put things into perspective. 

Step 3 - Own Your Awesome. There are two parts to Step 3. First, stop apologizing for your awesomeness. And second, start taking stock of your awesomeness. Because only you can share the unique story you were meant to share with the world.  

Step 4 – Embrace Your Weird. This one’s a lot like step #3, but this time, I’m talking about the parts of you that make you cringe and wish you could change them to make you, well, more like everyone else. Except your weirdness is what sets you apart – and it’s actually the very thing that can convince your audience to choose you over another person who provides a similar product or services.  

Step 5 - Know Your Stuff. If you’re going to present to an audience or launch an online course or heck, start a podcast – you should know what you’re talking about. And remember, you don’t have to be the world’s #1 expert on your topic in order to be effective. But you do need to do you homework and research what your audience is looking for and pinpoint how you can help them. There’s an extra layer of confidence that comes with presenting when we’re crystal clear on what we want to say and why. The more experienced we become, we also learn to fit what we want to say within a particular timeframe. Practice helps a lot with that.  

Step 6 – Do It Scared. Most of us will probably NEVER be 100% in ourselves or our speaking ability. But, as I often tell my Story Coaching clients, if you can’t be confident in yourself, be confident in your message. And then do it anyway. 

EPISODE LINK: 

PowerHER Platform - https://www.powerherplatform.com/