The Amani Experience Podcast

Megan Sanchez (EP 143) talks about how we should not let the "no's" stop us, current thoughts on loneliness, and not getting distracted by our "shoulds".

Show Notes:

4:08 - "Passion picked me ... "

4:56 - Megan's definition of burnout.

8:01 - How people get distracted by "our shoulds".

11:11 - Getting through imposter syndrome.

14:52 - "I feel scared when I feel like I'm all alone ... " / Fighting through loneliness

19:44 - Not letting the "no's" stop her.

24:55 - "The best relationships are a balance of giving and receiving."

29:10 - "Just stay flexible ..."

30:25 - Helping people learn how to let go.

34:04 - Why habits are so hard to change.

How to reach Megan: Website | Facebook | Linkedin

Book recommendations:

The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holliday

Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holliday

Melissa Majors joins us [EP 142] and shares why loneliness can be more lethal than cigarettes, how life is not a dress rehearsal, and the beauty of walking in your calling.

Show Notes:

4:24 - Going from Columbus to Dallas

5:18 - Where Melissa's passion for lawn mowing comes from? (She still cuts the lawn!)

8:18 - "We have to balance it with a good business sense ..."

11:13 - Overcoming the fear of going out on her own.

13:00 - Most valuable lessons learned from a bad leader.

15:01 - "I'm walking in my calling ... "

20:32 - Common characteristics of the best leaders and learners.

24:14 - "Mary Jane" by Rick James

25:40 - How loneliness can affect your decisions. (It's the equivalent of smoking 16 cigarettes a day).

31:05 - Avoiding the comparison trap.

31:49 - The loss of her brother.

40:09 - "I'm a risk-taker ... "

42:20 - "Life is not a dress rehearsal ... "

46:07 - Melissa's definition of fear.

49:18 - Self-care tips.

How to reach Melissa: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

Ready to Rise by Jo Saxton

DJs Mean Business by Amani Roberts

Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss

Braving The Wilderness by Brene Brown

The Bible

Podcast Recommendations:

Unlocking Us by Brene Brown

Debbie and Ben Conroy join us [EP 141] and discuss standing out in a crowded space of creatives, getting past the fear of not succeeding, and why they want to be around other champions. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:13 - What was the inspiration for the shift to woodworking.

7:31 - Using social media to spread the word.

10:15 - "Don't be afraid to fail ... "

14:55 - Why they love woodworking.

17:15 - "Not being recognized in a crowded space of creatives ... "

18:36 - How both Debbie & Ben are fighting through the fear of not succeeding.

25:00 - Losing Debbie's dad. "From the darkness, we saw the light ... "

34:58 - "I need a new tool ... "

35:57 - "Be around champions ... "

38:44 - "Don't sweat the small stuff... "

How to reach Debbie & Ben: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendations:

"Talking to Strangers" by Malcolm Gladwell

Podcast Recommendations:

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend

Armchair Expert

Nicole Funicelli aka Nicci [EP 140] shares how she stays inspired, her unique and amazing practice routing, and why we must be in a consistent spirit of collaboration.

Show Notes:

3:25 - Whitney Houston.

8:17 - Getting taken out of school to go singing at 11-years old.

11:10 - The art of collaboration.

15:11 - Managing writing and avoiding burnout.

19:59 - Advice to young songwriters. Getting through the fear.

28:41 - Handing criticism from legitimate sources.

30:58 - "When you are in pain, you have to share it with someone ... "

34:50 - Growing your resilience muscle.

37:30 - Writing a great pop song.

39:34 - "Nothing ever goes according to plan ... "

43:25 - "Vibe is everything ... "

44:20 - Nicole's practice routine.

How to reach Nicole: Spotify | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendations:

Speak With Distinction by Edith Skinner

All You Need To Know About The Music Business by Donald Passman

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Jeff Haynes [EP 139] discusses the benefits of cutting the cord sooner than you are ready, failing big or winning big, and the continuous benefit of having patience.

Show Notes:

3:39 - Favorite area to live in (Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles or Phoenix)

6:05 - Staying motivated and adjusting in our changing environment.

7:14 - The three conditions we are currently living in.

11:52 - When Jeff cut the cord.

13:59 - "Cut the cord sooner than you are comfortable with ... "

23:34 - Human to human and smaller events.

30:59 - Companies who pulled out of South By Southwest.

38:47 - "Fail big or win big ... "

47:24 - "If time and money can fix it, it's not a real problem ... "

49:29 - "I only see the good in people ... "

55:04 - "Patience and enjoy the ride ... "

How to reach Jeff: Website | Linkedin

Toni Curry [EP 138] discusses being the first African-American Miss Alabama, the fear of playing small and why we should take time to be proud of ourselves. Show Notes: 5:26 - The first African-American woman to win Miss Alabama. 9:18 - Structure and being nimble. 11:10 - The meaning of Bundini Brown 16:04 - Why we focus on failures more than accomplishments. 17:29 - The inspiration behind writing "My Hype Book". 29:02 - "The presence of humility should not mean the absence of personal accolades ... " 31:38 - The fear of playing small and advice to people who are playing small. 38:55 - Dr. Septo 44:22 - "If you do 100 more, we will get lobster for dinner ... " 47:59 - "Let yourself off the hook quicker ... " 52:57 - "Be selfish with yourself ... " How to reach Toni: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin Book Recommendations: "My Hype Book" by Toni Purry "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek The Bible "Good to Great" by Jim Collins "Originals" by Adam Grant "Quit Playing Small" by Ahyiana Angel Podcast Recommendations: Switch, Pivot or Quit by Ahyiana Angel

Melody Hammer [EP 137] from Loud Lacquer joins us and discusses how she tamed her sharp elbows, what it takes to succeed in the influencer space and how she has created a cutting edge beauty company. Show Notes: 4:56 - What characteristics make up a good influencer. 7:03 - The inspiration behind the name Loud Lacquer. 11:42 - Current colors that move Melody. 15:52 - "The ideas and opportunities are endless ... " 17:44 - 'Mean Girls' 19:46 - How to continue to fill up her creative cup. 23:56 - "Sharp Elbows ... " 30:31 - Tips for people who worry about what other people think about them. 33:50 - The silver lining of what we are going through at the moment. 38:32 - The impact of running and meditation in Melody's life. How to reach Melody: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest Book Recommendations: The One Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib Talking To Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger When Life Gives You Lululemons by Lauren Weisberger

Baily Hancock [EP 136] shares some excellent networking tips, why we should all focus on collaboration and she discusses all of the various pivots she has made in life.

Show Notes:

4:36 - Voted Miss SRHS in high school.

7:58 - Looking at living in LA the wrong way initially.

9:46 - "I turn on light switches for people ... "

15:06 - "My This + Your That = Our Magic"

18:35 - Definition of collaboration

25:20 - "If you are not on Linkedin ... "

26:26 - How to curate your community.

36:25 - Lessons learned from the collapse of 2008.

42:13 - The summer of 2018.

45:34 - "People can't help you if they don't know you need help ... "

49:41 - "Nothing for nothing ... "

57:30 - "It's almost never about me ... "

63:55 - The impact of 'War of Art' on Baily.

66:44 - "Leave a little room for serendipity ... "

How to reach Baily: Website | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendations:

"The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield

"Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert

"Untamed" by Glennon Doyle

DJ Mark Stylz aka Mark Pacheco [EP 135] stops by and chats about how he started his DJ career 35+ years ago, how he got through some dark times and why your network is your net worth. Show Notes: 3:24 - The 7th-grade dance when the amp blew 45 minutes into the gig. 6:31 - What happened after graduating from Loyola Marymount University. 10:33 - The movie "Teen Wolf". 13:02 - Las Vegas. 17:20 - The digital advancements in the DJ world. 23:34 - "The tarp on the turntables ... " 31:25 - The dark times. 33:40 - "You can't plan anything ... " 38:27 - "In the sound, I can always find my way ... " 42:31 - "I want to be better at taking risks ... " 44:52 - "I grew up hip hop ... " 48:51 - "Focus on this DJing son ... " 53:23 - "Your network is your net worth ... " 57:04 - "Don't take yourself too seriously ... " 58:57 - Advice to people who are interested in learning how to DJ ... "Do you ..." How to reach Mark: Instagram | Twitter Book Recommendation: "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

In this episode (EP 134), I share seven books you should read and include clips from the authors. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

#1 - The Artist Way by Julia Cameron | Speech by Julia

#2 - Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert | Interview Clip

#3 - The Power of Purpose by Les Brown | Clip from book

#4 - The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Interview Clip

#5 - The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz | Interview Clip

#6 - Mindset by Carol Dweck | Interview Clip

#7 - Grit by Angela Duckworth | Interview Clip