ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James

This week didn't quite go as planned — and honestly, that became the episode.

A last-minute situation meant that two weeks of carefully planned content was no longer going to air, and I found myself navigating the emotional rollercoaster that comes with getting the wind knocked out of you unexpectedly. In this solo episode, I share what that experience was actually like, what I learned from it, and why sometimes the best thing you can do is stop trying to force a solution.

If you're in a season where things aren't going the way you hoped — a job search that's taking longer than expected, a role that doesn't quite fit, or just the feeling that you're not as far along as you thought you'd be — I hope this episode gives you a little encouragement to be where you are, lean on the people around you, and stay open to what might be coming your way.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Anjali Laddha is a student, founder, and inspiration to both peers and fellow entrepreneurs. She is a 4th year student of Nikki's at Northeastern University, but has taken a unique path to reach the point which she is at today, the founder of Degree2Destiny, an AI-powered startup focused on creating AI literacy for students across India. 

In this episode, Nikki and Anjali discuss Anjali's unique college experience. In this candid conversation, Anjali shares the highs and lows of creating a startup, while still in college. Ultimately, she is grateful for her journey and has gained an immense amount of wisdom to share. 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Juan Miguel Campos Ulate is a former soccer athlete turned workplace leader at Accenture. He has lived, worked, and played soccer in both Costa Rica and the United States and has reached great success in each of his endeavors. In this episode Juan Miguel and Nikki sit down to discuss the though lines in his journey—hard work and action over luck and opportunity. While his story didn't go the way he planned, he says he couldn't imagine anything better than the life he has now. Listen for honest advice related to accepting pivots, entering the workforce, and even navigating the infiltration of AI as a student or employee. 

To connect with Juan Miguel, check out his LinkedIn. 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Emily Snowberger is a marketer, friend, human-rights-advocate, and certified pickleballer. While she now leads marketing for the anti-human-trafficking non-profit A21, her path has led her across industries from fashion to higher education. She has also lived and worked across continents. 

In this episode, Nikki and returning guest Nora Shepard chat with Emily about how she's gotten to where she is today. Notably, Emily discusses how staying focused and taking calculated risks has helped her most in times of doubt, when even she wasn't quite sure what the bigger picture would look like. 

To learn more about Emily, connect with her on LinkedIn. Also, discover more about her nonprofit work and A21's mission of abolishing human trafficking by checking out their website at https://www.a21.org/.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Priya and Dylan are both Northeastern University alumni navigating a their early careers and making meaning along the way. Nikki sits down with the two of them to talk about how they got to where they are and some of the best lessons they would share with students who are just a few years behind them.

The episode highlights the importance of taking the career journey one step at a time and truly learning as you go. Plus, hear some fun anecdotes about their time together in South Africa. Connect with Dylan and Priya on either of their LinkedIn's to learn more about their stories. 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Loredana Padurean is an associate professor at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business, where she teaches and researches entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation alongside Nikki. She is also global public speaker whose path you will hear in today's episode. She embodies the themes she discusses like "confidence though competency," and her commitment to both authenticity and excellence has defined her success. 

To stay engaged with Loredana's work, follow her on Instagram and connect with her on LinkedIn. 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Julie Meyer is a founder, podcaster, mentor, and professor at Northeastern University in the Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship program with Nikki. Julie and Nikki sit down to chat about Julie’s path which has led her from Chicago, to Shanghai, to Boston. Julie discusses how taking advice from like minded individuals and noticing the green lights along her path has led her to some of her most fulfilling work yet. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn to follow along her teaching and entrepreneurial journey. 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Giselle Le'aupepe Bruce is a longtime friend of Nikki who is, like her, tri-continental and deeply involved in many communities. Even though Giselle has worked across hospitality, music, management, and ceramics, she remains true to her inner-compass which points to relating, connecting, and communicating.

In this episode, Nikki and Giselle discuss how they’ve each built up the courage to make bold decisions that have led them to such fulfilling lives. 

To connect with Giselle, follow her on Instagram or take a look at her website! 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

Tylea Herweynen is television presenter, mother, American expat living in Australia, and long-time friend of Nikki. In this episode Nikki and Tylea discuss the twists and turns of Tylea's journey, and how every "yes" led her down the path of becoming who she is today. The episode emphasizes embracing change, self-advocacy, and friendship amid life’s challenges.

To connect with Tylea check out her website, Instagram, connect with her on LinkedIn. 

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn. 

In this episode of the Responsable podcast, I dive deep into the second half of my captivating conversation with Mark Tipple, as we explore the evolution of our journeys from youthful uncertainty to the more refined paths we've crafted in our early 30s. Picking up from our previous discussion, we reflect on transformational experiences, starting with our memorable trip to Tanzania right around my 30th birthday. During this adventure, we aimed for impactful storytelling through visuals, realizing that our ambitions were continuously challenged by the unpredictable nature of life.

Our discussion leads us through a series of photographs that capture moments from our travels, including projects where our mutual involvement sparked significant change. Mark shares his poignant recollections from Tanzania, where he witnessed the resilience of children working hard to reclaim their education amidst adversity. This profound experience propelled him to rethink his career trajectory, ultimately influencing his decision to venture into education technology to push for broader accessibility in learning.

We delve into the emotional burden Mark felt when his vast body of work received little traction back home, sharing the raw vulnerability of wanting to honor the stories of those he captured through photography. This turning point ignited the idea of pursuing fine art prints to exhibit their experiences that would not only raise awareness but also generate funds for the organizations supporting these communities.

As the conversation progresses, we touch on various projects, including the inception of the Gallery for Justice, imagined through my encouragement during a time when Mark was grappling with self-doubt. We explore our individual philosophies, particularly how being a connector—someone who enables others to transform ideas into reality—has defined our roles professionally and personally. Mark recounts how he balances being a father while revisiting his creative pursuits, illustrating the beauty of adaptability in life stages.

The dialogue eloquently encapsulates the essence of mentorship, collaboration, and the understanding that professional shifts do not equate to being lost, but rather evolving with purpose. Mark emphasizes that each chapter we write in our lives does not erase the past but enriches the tapestry of our identities. Our candid reflections about support systems and community highlight the intrinsic value of human connection in an increasingly digitized world, suggesting that our shared experiences remind us of the importance of flexibility and perseverance.

As we wrap up this enthralling exchange, the narrative circles back to the central principle of finding one's community and committing to shared journeys. Through laughter and honesty, we draw insights for listeners who are navigating their own paths—encouraging an openness to seize opportunities, learn from varied experiences, and embrace the beautiful messiness of life. Ultimately, our hope is to inspire others to forge their own routes, reminding them that adaptability and connection are keys to thriving in an uncertain world.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.