Step into the Pivot

Emerging from the depths of despair and the confines of a monastery, JR brings us a tale of raw human resilience that will leave you both moved and enlightened. His journey, marked by intense struggles with mental health and the daunting task of redefining his identity, unfolds in our latest episode, offering a rare glimpse into the transformative power of authenticity and vulnerability. As he recounts the life-altering dialogue with his mother, listeners will find themselves immersed in a story of immigration, the weight of societal expectations, and the silent battle with depression that many face alone.

This week, we're honored to journey alongside JR as we navigate the turbulent seas of mental health and personal growth. His experiences, from the initial stumbles of confronting mental health issues to the small, consistent steps towards healing, underscore an essential message: acknowledging pain is not a sign of weakness, but the first step to finding happiness. Through his narrative, we shine a light on the toxic tropes that often hinder progress and the profound lessons learned from his time as a monk. Join us for an episode that isn't just a conversation—it's a lifeline for anyone looking to emerge from the shadows and step into a life of purpose and peace.

GUEST BIO:

JR inspires people to make positive changes in their lives. He is a national speaker, trainer, and coach who inspires people to make positive changes in their lives. JR is the Executive Director of 1000 Cranes for Recovery. He is also the founder of CoffeeWithJR, a company that specializes in providing culturally competent mental health and diversity/inclusion training. 

As an immigrant who has struggled with the immigration system, JR is passionate about advocating for immigration reform and supporting immigrants in the United States. JR’s mental health journey as an immigrant is featured in a short documentary called “Coffee Talking Out of Mental Coffins,” and in the Harvard Kennedy School’s Asian American Policy Review.

In 2023, JR published his first research paper as one of the authors of “International Student Identities and Mental Well-Being,” a book that strives to provide valuable insights on international students’ mental well-being based on research, promising practices, and practitioners’ experiences.

To learn more about JR Kuo’s life story and achievements and watch “Coffee Talking Out of Mental Coffins,” please visit www.coffeewithjr.com/meet-jr

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Anna Maria Ponzi is the former owner and past president of Ponzi Vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley.  She helped plant its original vines, worked on the bottling line, hosted guests in the tasting room and has made countless national and international sales calls. Maria Ponzi has served the state’s wine industry in myriad ways, including serving as an early ambassador for Oregon wine both nationally and internationally while building Oregon wine country into a travel destination. 

After earning her degree in journalism from the University of Oregon, she worked in Boston’s publishing industry until returning to the rural family business in 1991. Soon after, she was joined by her winemaking sister and the two young women trailblazed the growing tide of female vintners. This ownership distinguished Ponzi Vineyards as the nation’s only winery solely owned and operated by second-generation sisters at the time. 

GUEST BIO:

Former owner, CEO, and past president of Ponzi Vineyards, Anna Maria Ponzi, takes audiences on a journey to better understand the importance of living intentionally. In The Four-Ounce Pour, Anna Maria presents her life in wine as a framework to inspire audiences to slow down and create more meaning in their daily lives. She illustrates how intentional actions can create longer, healthier, and more enriched lives.

Her family winery, Ponzi Vineyards, was an original producer, established in 1970. As winery President & CEO, she grew the business from a garage operation into a global brand and has been recognized as envisioning and setting into motion the transformation of the valley into a world-class wine destination. Her memoir, Pinot Girl, was published in 2020, and the following year she successfully negotiated the sale of the winery to the esteemed house of Bollinger Champagne, France.  She currently farms her 20-acre vineyard, Issimo, and continues to support the state’s wine industry through her ongoing service for multiple trade organizations, including her role as an Oregon Wine Board Director and Oregon Tourism Commissioner. Her firm, amponzi & company, curates rare and exceptional wine experiences and consults on wine brand experiences.

She is married to Brett Fogelstrom of Fogelstrom Design Build and is the mother of two adult children who live in Los Angeles. She is also co-founder of the non-profit Anthony’s Circle, which aims to increase the high school graduation rate of foster youth in Oregon and is active in protecting farmland.

Connect with Maria Ponzi:

Website: https://www.amponzi.com/ 

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/amponzico 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this episode, Theresa and Ivana discussed:

• Four research-backed strategies to prevent and manage burnout
• The physical, emotional, and mental symptoms of burnout and the importance of addressing them
• Tips on how to have quality self-care 
• Helping others and yourself overcome burnout 

Key Takeaways:

• According to Johns Hopkins, the four things that we can practice to prevent and manage burnout are the following: First is exercise. Second is having a good amount and a good quality of sleep. The third is to seek out happiness or make time for what makes you happy. The fourth and final one on their list is social support. 
• Women carry unique responsibilities that make them more prone to burnout. Menopause and taking care of children for example can cause one to lose a lot of sleep. People who take care of a lot of things should take time to take care of themselves, in order for them to increase their capacity to keep on serving and leading in their lives. 
• In order to have quality self-care, one must consider internal and external restoration. Go on a vacation, and while on vacation, set good boundaries for yourself. Focus on the moment and make sure that your soul is being fed by the pause. 
• Help yourself and others overcome burnout by opening up to a group. Be vulnerable and be honest with what you are feeling and listen without judgment. Be mindful of your inner thoughts, and give yourself healthy, positive, life-giving words. 

“Listen to yourself without judgment.” - Ivana Polonijo

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Websites:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: https://tsc-consultants.com/ 

Ivana, Courageous Being: https://www.courageousbeing.com/ 

Instagram:

Ivana: https://www.instagram.com/courbeing/  

Theresa:

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Nick Demos is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, documentary filmmaker, host of The Creative Soulpreneur podcast, and story and speaking coach. With over thirty years in the entertainment industry, he has traveled from the Tony Awards to ashrams and run a multi-million dollar business in between. Nick works with entrepreneurs and experts to use storytelling to command stages and dramatically increase their income and impact.

In this episode, Theresa, Ivana, and Nick discussed:

• Embracing your true identity 
• The power of storytelling 
• Openness and self-discovery 

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t equate your self-worth and identity to achievements. Achievements, even when they are accomplished, will come and go. It will leave a void once the achievement has been completed. Let go of external validation and embrace your true identity. 
• Storytelling is innate. It transcends individual experiences and creates communal connections. Authenticity and vulnerability are the key elements to making a good story that will create deeper connections with others. Vulnerability is not easy but it is very powerful. 
• The road toward personal success often doesn’t come from being on a straight path. It takes many winding turns, pivots, and setbacks. Take courage and open your eyes to doors that present the opportunity to experience new things and discover yourself. 

“Perfection was a form of selfishness, ultimately. And when I was able to begin to break that apart, and it took time, it wasn't an overnight thing. It was a process - a shedding of some really habitual patterns taking it from what's in it for me, to ‘how can I help you?’” - Nick Demos 

Connect with Nick Demos:

Website: https://www.thenickdemos.com/ 

Podcast, The Creative Soulpreneur: https://www.thenickdemos.com/TheCreativeSoulpreneurPodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheNickDemos/ 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Kelly Majdan is an author, speaker, and wellness advisor who encourages others to tap into their POWER to craft a life of well-being, longevity, and financial stability. Her approach guides you in developing a wellness strategy that maximizes your time, money, and resources, so you can achieve the healthy lifestyle you desire without breaking the bank.

After 25 years in the financial services industry, Kelly left to start her wellness advisory firm, Power Through Wellness, because she saw first-hand how poor health and poor finances negatively impact those later golden years. She knew there had to be a way to help her fellow mid-lifers right their wellness ship so they could sail with good health into calm future waters. 

In this episode, Theresa, Ivana, and Kelly discussed:

• Why caregivers must care for themselves
• Building a mindset for more health and wealth
• The advantage of having a positive attitude 

Key Takeaways:

• People who have the responsibility to care about people who need it tend to forget to give themselves that very same care and love. A caregiver neglecting their own needs and happiness is a recipe for burnout and unhappiness. 
• Enhancing your health and creating more wealth comes more easily when one goes inward and changes one's mindset. The journey towards growth sometimes comes from bringing into awareness what is within and allowing it to be transformed to fit the desire or goal that you have in mind. 
• A positive attitude, mindset, and outlook will not instantly fix the situation that is going on in your life, but it will make a difficult situation more bearable emotionally and it will encourage the people that you are suffering with.

“I discovered the fact that working with people to help them with their health, will help them with their wealth.” - Kelly Majdan

Connect with Kelly Majdan:

Website: https://www.kellymajdan.com/ 

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089382613223&mibextid=ZbWKwL 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/powerthroughwellness/ 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Emily Rassam is the Senior Financial Planner for Archer Investment Management.  She has a true passion for helping clients make sense of their financial lives and develop clear plans to achieve their goals. Before Archer Investment Management, Emily spent 14 years at investment firms in New York and North Carolina working with families, executives, and institutional retirement clients.

In her downtime, Emily enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and hiking with her son, daughter, husband, and dogs. She currently serves as a mentor and run lead for Tri It for Life, an organization empowering women of all ages and athletic abilities to train for their first triathlon. She also serves on the board of YMCA Emerging Leaders in Charlotte, as a foster home for ABC Basset Hound rescue, and as a Regional Leader and Carolinas Chapter Chair for WIPN (WE Inspire, Promote, Network) wipn.org, a women's leadership and networking group for women in the retirement industry.

In this episode, Theresa, Ivana, and Emily discussed:

• Growing by slowing down 
• Balance versus Harmony 
• Assuming the best in others 
• Protect your calendar 

Key Takeaways:

• Many times people feel that the meaning of “growth” is to keep getting a bigger title and a bigger salary. However, real growth sometimes means that you have to pause, slow down, and carefully consider what the most meaningful thing in your life truly is. 
• When dealing with others, it’s better to always assume the best in them and recognize that they might be going through something heavy in their life. You can only know so much about a person, even if you see them every day. It is best to give people the benefit of the doubt. 
• Learn to say no. You don’t have to say yes to everything and to everyone. Protect your calendar, be mindful of what you’re dedicating your schedule to, and make sure that you are always able to keep your work in harmony with your personal life. When you are given a request, take time to really consider if you should say yes or no to it. 

“[Work-life] balance to me [is] balancing on a tightrope, if you don't have them equal, then you're not going to be balanced. So harmony just feels better. My goal is just that I feel good about both areas. I'm trying to build both [areas] into my life happily.” - Emily Rassam

Connect with Emily Rassam:

Website: https://archerim.com/ , https://archerim.com/team-members/emily-c-rassam/ 

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

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Andrea was introduced to retirement plans through growth and acquisition at her first job out of college at US Bank. She holds a Finance degree from Minnesota State University - Moorhead. Andrea’s industry knowledge prospered with 17 years in varying roles focused on service at The Standard. Moving from a recordkeeper to a broker/dealer with two years at Cetera Financial Group only broadened her expertise.

Joining Fiduciary Decisions (FDI) in November 2020 as Vice President of National Accounts has allowed her to focus close to 25 years of industry experience on FDI’s valuable broker/dealer and RIA clients.

Andrea is very active with WIPN — WE | Inspire | Promote | Network — a non-profit organization focused on advancing equity and opportunity for women in the retirement industry. She currently serves as the Regional Leader for the Pacific Northwest region and had previously co-founded and co-chaired the Oregon chapter. She is also active with the Youth Charity League (YCL) and currently serves on the YCL Board as Secretary. YCL has provided her and her family with the opportunity to serve various non-profit organizations.

She enjoys time with friends and family, golfing, reading, and traveling. Andrea is a proud parent to three awesome kids – two in college and one in high school. Andrea lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, kids on the go, and their dog Rocky.

In this episode, Theresa, Ivana, and Andrea discussed:

• Allowing people to help 
• Finding unexpected connections in the midst of difficulty
• Take your time, don’t rush 
• Take care of your needs 

Key Takeaways:

• Unexpected problems may cause people to stay in shock or become overwhelmed. In this state of mind, it often becomes difficult to ask for support or receive help from other people. We have to push past this resistance and courageously allow people to help us. 
• Take your time. You don’t have to answer every message right away or return every call that you miss. If it’s not an emergency, then don’t burden yourself with responding to the point that you become overwhelmed and burnt out. If you’re feeling tired, take a break. 
• Eat healthy and on time. Drink water when you are thirsty. Listen to your body because it tells you what you need in the moment. Break the habit of ignoring your own needs. 

“It’s okay to say no. No one’s bleeding, it can wait till the next day or whenever you’re feeling more up to it. If you’re feeling tired, don’t fight the nap, just take the nap. You’re gonna be better for it.” – Andrea Nitta

Connect with Andrea Nitta:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-nitta/ 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this episode, Theresa and Ivana discussed:

• The rhythm of pivots 
• A journey of growth 
• Giving yourself unconditional love
• Going up an upward spiral 

Key Takeaways:

• Splatting can happen in every pivot and in those moments, you’ll have to pick yourself back up and get moving. Gratitude is powerful and it can get you through the feeling of discomfort after each pivot. 
• Harness your adversity. Embrace the discomfort and build resilience. Acknowledge that your life is a journey of growth. 
• If you give yourself the same kind of unconditional love that you give to people who matter to you, then you’ll become a happier and generally better person. Accessing this connection to yourself will also help you connect with other people genuinely. 
• Embrace what you went through and embrace who you are and who you’ve become because of what you went through. See the bigger picture and know that the journey is an upward spiral. When walking through a transition, it may feel like you’re going backward. 

“If [my son] is worthy of love, for no reason, whether he is failing or succeeding, that just does not determine his inherent worth then that might also be true for me.” - Ivana Polonijo

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Websites:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: https://tsc-consultants.com/ 

Ivana, Courageous Being: https://www.courageousbeing.com/ 

Instagram:

Ivana: https://www.instagram.com/courbeing/  

Theresa: https://www.instagram.com/tscconsultants/ 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

In this episode, Theresa and Ivana discussed:

• The value of self-awareness 
• The power of vulnerability 
• Don’t keep your story silent
• How your story can impact others 

Key Takeaways:

• Self-awareness and emotional intelligence are valuable not only for your own personal growth but also for your career. Being vulnerable to others requires one to step out in courage. 
• Vulnerability is the key to self-empowerment. Being vulnerable unlocks your connection with others because you’ll discover similar experiences and learn new lessons from their unique perspective.
• Don’t keep your story silent. Sharing your struggle, and what you’re doing to get through it, or how you got through it is going to give people hope. People who are going through the same thing will realize that they are not alone and will have the strength to claim that it is not the end of their journey. 
• Sharing your story won’t only help people who are going through the same thing. People who are going through something completely different can still discover something very meaningful and valuable from your journey to their own. You will never know how impactful and how powerful your story can be in someone else’s life unless you speak it out. 

“We are already powerful. We just oftentimes don't remember. ” - Ivana Polonijo

Connect with Theresa Conti and Ivana Polonijo:

Websites:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: https://tsc-consultants.com/ 

Ivana, Courageous Being: https://www.courageousbeing.com/ 

Instagram:

Ivana: https://www.instagram.com/courbeing/  

Theresa: https://www.instagram.com/tscconsu

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot

Welcome to Step into the Pivot where your hosts Ivana and Theresa talk to people just like you. We will have honest conversations with our guests about issues they have faced, how they had to pivot to address them and lessons learned that you can apply to your life.

Connect with Ivana & Theresa: 

Ivana’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivipol/ 

Theresa's LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresa-conti-qka-apr-erpa-cpfa-1b36a713/ 

Connect with Theresa and Ivana:

Theresa, True Strategy Consultants: tsc-consultants.com
LinkedIn @treeconti, Insta @tscconsultants

Ivana, Courageous Being: courageousbeing.com
LinkedIn @ivipol, Insta @courbeing

SITP team, Step Into The Pivot: stepintothepivot.com
LinkedIn @step-into-the-pivot, YouTube @StepIntoThePivot