Shock Your Potential

Building respect and resilience through oration is what our guest today is all about. Ricky Higby spent 26 years in the Air Force, and today his goal is to obliterate behaviors such as suicide, bullying, domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, self-harm, inequality, & discrimination while enabling individuals to be their best self, to #BeAsBuilt. 

In today’s episode Ricky talks about the privilege of selfless service in the military, the opportunities of traveling the world and having adventures such as hang gliding in the Swiss Alps, and the importance of being intentional in all that you do. Ricky also shares a deeply personal and tragic story of loss of his first wife to suicide and how that fuels his work today. But through it all he found unwavering community in the military and is honored to have served.

Ricky has 24 years of leadership experience with over 10 of those years consisting of teaching and writing on the art and science of leadership.  He is a John Maxwell Certified Speaker, Trainer and Coach, a Violence Prevention Educator, a Resilience Trainer and a Temperament Discovery Facilitator.  He has been speaking, teaching and training for over 15 years from Africa and Brazil to Germany and Japan as well as throughout the US.

Listen in!

 

You can follow Ricky on social media; 

www.linkedin.com/in/ricky-higby

https://www.facebook.com/BeAsBuilt/

https://www.facebook.com/rehigby/

https://twitter.com/rehigby 

www.instagram.com/rehigby/

http://beasbuilt.business.site/

https://beasbuilt.blogspot.com/

http://rehigby.wordpress.com

https://www.speakersbase.com/ricky-higby

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcxMV1gpUse4savXc2rw9w

 

She might not have known what the Coast Guard was when she met her future husband, but 16 years, 9 moves and 2 children later, she does now. Our guest today is Jessica Manfre, spouse to an active-duty Coast Guardsman.

In today’s episode Jessica shares the joys, stresses, and pride of being a military spouse, talking especially about how she keeps connected to friends around the globe no matter where she and her husband are stationed. She also gives us important insight the struggles of military spouses regarding unemployment and under-employment.

Jessica Manfre is an author and freelance writer for multiple publications, provides telehealth therapy for children and families for a small nonprofit, and is the co-founder and CFO of Inspire Up, a 501c3 nonprofit promoting global generosity and kindness through education, empowerment and community building.

Listen in:

Social media handles:

Facebook: @JessicaManfreLMSW

Instagram: @Jess_Manfre

Twitter: @JessicaManfre

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamanfre

http://www.inspireupfoundation.org

 

Bill Kurzeja began his career in the United States Army where he learned discipline and the importance of strict attention to detail. Over the next 8 years he made his way up the ranks to sergeant where he learned not only leadership, but also the importance of clear, effective communication in training. This made his next move as he transitioned out of the military in 2001 obvious; he would enter the retail automotive industry.

Beginning as a salesperson, Bill quickly rose through the ranks through finance, into sales manager, and finally into the GSM and GM positions.

Today Bill is the Owner and Founder of Professional Success South, a professional sales training and business consulting firm. Bill now follows his passion in training and coaching, specializing in the basics of communication and how paying attention to details will build a strong foundation. He is always working to bring knowledge to as many people as possible whether through his clients, on social media, or through his weekly Podcast, Get Focused with Bill K and Gina Faye.

Currently, Bill has begun training to become a triathlete and is on a mission to become the number one ranked member of his age group despite not knowing how to swim when he first began training!

Listen in as Bill talks about what he loved and learned in his military career as well as the challenges he and his family faced when he transitioned into civilian life. His open and honest discussion will strike a chord with listeners, reminding us about the important lessons in life that got us all to where we are today.

Find more about Bill:

Get In Touch With Bill:

Website: https://professionalsuccesssouth.com/

Phone: 310-213-5093

Email: [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-kurzeja/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/billk95

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bill.kurzeja.3

Would you give up 3 full-ride scholarships to pursue a career in the military? Demika Jackson did just that. When an Army recruiter came by to talk with a family member who wasn’t home yet, Demika talked to him instead, and ended up changing her life trajectory dramatically.The military had its tough times, especially being one of only 2 women in her unit while stationed in Kuwait, but it also afforded her many blessings, including the ability to raise her daughter and 3 sisters, and learning incredible skills like computer hacking!A US Army War Veteran and now Chief Executive Officer of ReInVentU, LLC, Demika assists veteran and nonprofit organizations with strategic planning, organizational development, professional and grant writing services to increase sustainability. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Armstrong Atlantic State University and currently pursuing her Masters in Business Administration and Masters in Psychology. She is a certified trainer within a variety of disciplines to include over 15+ years of experience within nonprofit, military operations, leadership development and training, sexual assault prevention, mental health and program development. Her background includes working within diverse populations to include the military and multicultural communities. She has experience in providing education as a Dean of Students, advocacy as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Department of Defense Mobile Training Consultant, mental health services as a Clinical Program Coordinator and additional programs to assist communities in thriving. She serves on several boards to include the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women, Mayor’s Hispanic American Advisory Board, The Mission Continues, the Annie Ruth Foundation to name a few and several veteran organizations.Learn More: https://reinventullc.org

Join us today as we kick off a month-long series honoring and learning from American Veterans and their families. We begin by speaking with long-term Shock Your Potential friend, Rob Lougee, Assistant National Employment Director for DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

 

Rob E. Lougee, a service-connected disabled veteran of the Persian Gulf War, was appointed Assistant National Employment Director for the more than 1 million-member DAV in March 21, 2016. From the DAV National Headquarters located in Cold Spring, Kentucky, Mr. Lougee manages special employment initiatives and works with private and public sector entities to develop and build partnerships to address joblessness and underemployment, as well as facilitate job fairs and lead efforts to connect veterans and transitioning service members to employers.

 

A Boston native, Mr. Lougee enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1983 and served until 1992 in the First Armored and First Calvary Divisions, attaining the rank of specialist. His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Southwest Asia Medal with three bronze stars and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Today we talk about the amazing 100 years of DAV, some of the milestones during those first 100 years, and the many resources this dedicated organization offers its members.

 

Learn More:

https://www.dav.org

Do you dream of being your own boss? If yes, then our guest today can help you find your perfect business. Lance Graulich is the founder & CEO of ION Franchising, an industry leading franchise consulting and development group, that represents over 500 franchise brands & business opportunities within 90 categories. Lance helps prospective entrepreneurs find their perfect franchise for FREE. He also assists independent business owners in creating a franchise system.

 

In today’s episode we learn about how he started his career on Wall Street, later helped grow a TGI Fridays franchise to more than a $225,000,000 organization, became a multi-unit, multi-state franchisee of Wingstop and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, founded the donut chain called Pinkbox in Las Vegas, has recently launched a bakery project with a Food Network star, and is now known as the industry-leading donut expert.

 

Listen in!

 

CONNECT WITH LANCE GRAULICH

702-682-7173

[email protected]

ionfranchising.com

 

Would you leave your home and everyone you know to travel across the world to pursue your dreams? Our guest today did just that! Connie Diforo is a self-taught designer based in Boston who learned to sew using her grandmother's Singer sewing machine in Botswana.

In today’s episode we learn about her life-long passion for fashion, her journey to America, and her current mission to help rebuild her church in Botswana. Her now 99-year-old grandmother sparks her desire to save the important historical church and brings back loving memories of getting “all dolled up” to go to church.

Connie’s designs are greatly inspired by her traditional life back in her home country. She loves to blend German print fabrics with modern ideas when creating her functional pieces. Her designs, have been featured in many fashion shows including Fashionably Late at the Liberty Hotel, Boston, Excessive Fashion, Boston Fashion Week and NY fashion week for EPN magazine. Diforo also hosts Fashion Tv in Boston for BNN.

 

Listen in!

 

Social media handles

https://www.facebook.com/connie.diforo

https://www.instagram.com/conniebosslady/

 

OR

https://www.facebook.com/Mesese-Designs-by-Diforo-1417053021848923/

Instagram: @mesese

Have you considered making the move to entrepreneurship? If so, our guest today may be able to help. Felicia Shanken is the CEO/Founder of the Philadelphia Women's Network Connection, LLC and PWNC Foundation Inc 501(c)(3). PWNC creates a friendly supportive community where business owners enjoy sharpening their entrepreneurial edge while nurturing valuable relationships that enrich career satisfaction.

In this episode we discuss how her for-profit company provides basic tools and resources for women (and men) who are trying to grow and scale their businesses, and how her non-profit helps individuals transition into entrepreneurship. We also talk about the importance of authenticity in running a successful business.

 

Felicia hosts her own weekly show on RVNTV, called "Power Up Your Passion", where she brings guest on to talk about their passion in life and how it lead to where they are now. Felicia was also recognized and honored by "Fun Times Magazine" in their March/ April 2020 magazine edition for being a, “2020 Philadelphia Who's Who Black Women of Influence".

 

Listen in!

Find out more here: https://www.philadelphiawomensnetworkingconnection.org

Facebook; https://web.facebook.com/groups/PhillyWNC/?_rdc=1&_rdr

Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/phillywnc/

LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/phillywnc/

YouTube; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFYhUdpogbPOANykxUx81CA

 

Do you know any Brilliant Jerks? Our guest today does, and she also knows how to help them.

Dr. Katrina Burrus, CEO/founder of Excellent Executive Coaching LLC, is known for fast-tracking leaders to the C-Suite and beyond and for "Transforming Brilliant Jerks into Inspiring Leaders." She is also the author of Managing Brilliant Jerks: How Organizations and Coaches Can Transform Difficult Leaders into Powerful Visionaries.   https://amzn.to/35zUOur

In today’s episode we talk about her passion for developing agile leaders to excel in all environments and helping them to understand the power of their words. She also shares the (not surprising) statistic that 74% of successful leaders say they have had at least one intolerable boss in their career.

Dr. Katrina Burrus has worked with Nestle, Novartis, the World Health Organization, the International Labor Organization, the United Nations, and many more and was most recently featured in Mexico, India, the U.S., Kazakhstan, and Russia. Dr. Burrus has 18 years of experience as the first Master Certified Coach and Founding Board Member from the (ICF)International Coaching Federation in Switzerland.

Listen in!

Follow Dr. Katrina on social media;

https://mkbconseil.ch

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MKBCoaching

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatrinaBurrus

Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/ExcellentExecutiveCoaching/

 

Could you reset the rhythm of your life and find a new career in the process? Our guest today says yes! Michelle Fortin is an award-winning broadcast journalist, speaker, comedian, and actress.

In today’s episode we learn about Michelle’s decision to take an entire year off from work, volunteering, personal and social engagements and more to save herself from burnout. And as a present to herself for her 40th birthday, she took an improve comedy class which, unbeknownst to her, would launch her next career.

Michelle routinely emcees events and conferences, and gives keynote addresses on motherhood, relationships, and faith. She's made numerous TV appearances on shows like Good Morning America, TODAY, The List, and Inside Edition, while also routinely appearing on local TV stations in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2019, PHOENIX Magazine named her among the "Great 48" - a list of the Valley's Most Influential People. As the brunette-half of the popular comedic duo, Leeann & Michelle, you may recognize Michelle from viral parodies and comedic sketches, which have accrued 40million views. 

 

Listen in!

 

Social handles: 

leeannandmichelle.com facebook.com/leeannandmichelle instagram.com/leeannandmichelle youtube.com/c/leeannmichellefunny