The Amani Experience Podcast

Van Lai Dumone (EP 113) shares why she says yes to many opportunities and figures it out later, how we don't need permission and discusses the fact that we are all creative.

Show Notes:

3:41 - Benefits of having her MBA in her career now.

6:10 - "Make where you are, where you are supposed to be ... "

9:12 - Part Type A Businesswoman / Part Bohemian Hippie

12:22 - Sticking to your value.

16:10 - "We are all creative whether you believe it or not ... "

17:28 - "I'm just going to say yes and figure it out ... "

20:11 - Creative chaos.

23:46 - "Build relationships instead of pitching right away ... "

29:16 - "Less stubborn and more patient ... "

31:12 - "Be uniquely me ... "

36:06 - "No one is ever going to give you permission ..."

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

Book Recommendations:

One Small Step Can Change Your Life - Robert Maurer

Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert

Podcast Recommendation:

Magic Lessons - Elizabeth Gilbert's

World-renowned psychic Laura Powers takes us into the world of being a psychic, shares how we can trust our intuition, the proper way to ask your angel and spirit guides for help and gives Amani a live reading! Enjoy!

Show Notes:

6:05 - Laura's first psychic client.

9:05 - Staying disciplined with writing books, six podcasts, and her psychic practice.

10:25 - "The universe is like a Netflix queue ... "

13:50 - Coming out of the psychic closet.

18:16 - Why Mexico City has high paranormal activity.

24:58 - Marilyn Monroe has visited Laura frequently.

30:27 - Learning to trust your intuition.

35:20 - Having the strength to stand alone.

36:39 - Asking your angel and spirit guides for help.

38:41 - Infrared Saunas.

42:36 - Laura gives Amani a live reading!

How to reach Laura: Website | Instagram | Linkedin

Book Recommendations:

Angels - How to Understand, Recognize and Receive Their Guidance by Laura Powers

An End To Upside Down Thinking by Mark Gober

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, we talk with Juan Young who has started his own non-profit focused on suicide prevention. He shares his story, why it is important to keep hope and shares how a timely phone call from a guardian angel saved him.

Show Notes:

3:36 - Why did Juan have a goal of moving to Los Angeles.

4:53 - Living in Indianapolis vs. Los Angeles.

7:04 - "Sometimes our passion in life is not necessarily our purpose ... "

9:58 - "Stay true to yourself ... "

11:21 - The Juan Young Foundation.

13:10 - Why does the media avoid talking about suicide.

14:29 - April 17, 2010.

20:07 - How a guardian angel saved Juan.

25:16 - Getting out of the fog.

29:41 - Meeting someone who has decided that enough is enough.

42:22 - "Be unapologetic ..."

48:32 - "Just keeping living ... "

How to reach Juan: Linkedin | Facebook | Instagram

Book Recommendations:

Enjoying True Prosperity by Walter R. Tucker III

Tracy Judge (EP 110) discusses how she left her job with no set plan (and is thriving), why we should always give ourselves grace and how the best times are always after the toughest times. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:40 - Missing the restaurant industry.

6:48 - What is a travel director?

8:10 - Living in Philly vs. San Diego.

9:36 - What inspired Tracy to go out on her own.

14:14 - "Courageous or really, really crazy ... "

17:00 - "I love creative minds ... "

19:33 - The decision to go to grad school.

23:25 - The application of your personal life in business.

26:20 - "Give yourself grace ... "

32:25 - The blackout experience.

37:09 - Advice for acquiring quality mentors.

39:28 - "The hard times are what builds character in who you are ..."

45:20 - Tracy the saxophone player.

47:13 - "Put down that 40!"

52:02 - "I really exist to help other people grow their businesses and help them as entrepreneurs ..."

56:01 - The personal and professional benefits of joining a professional association.

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

Book Recommendations:

Start With Why - Simon Sinek

A Failure of Nerve - Edwin H. Friedman

Live from Orlando, Florida, Sarah Soliman Daudin (EP 109) talks about being a visual storyteller, important skills for aspiring journalists and how hosting trivia night is an underrated networking strategy. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:52 - "A visual story teller ... "

5:37 - "I am a relationship builder ... "

6:36 - Hosting trivia night as a networking strategy.

10:01 - Pricing strategies and decisions.

13:11 - How MPI helped Sarah's career personally and professionally.

17:44 - "When they go low, I go high ... "

21:02 - Being stagnant.

23:11 - "I'm not afraid of competition. I am a collaborator ... "

29:00 - "How dare I note be successful ... "

29:37 - Kat Cole.

33:25 - Important skills for up and coming journalists.

36:54 - "Don't worry so much about what people think ... "

46:13 - Don't let everyone else dictate what your future looks like ... "

How to reach Sarah: Website | Instagram | Linkedin |

Book Recommendations:

"Fear Is My Homeboy" by Judi Holler

Carly Rae Williams shares how she successfully runs two businesses, how she takes risks within her business and why mentorships and strong self-worth are so crucial to survival in today's business environment.

Show Notes:

4:31 - What inspired Carly to move from Northern Washington state to Southern California.

5:47 - Traveling the US doing improv.

7:50 - Starting her own business.

10:38 - Know your worth.

16:46 - "I take a day off from work every week ... "

19:16 - Not looking at Instagram and other social media.

23:01 - Primary Petals.

27:44 - "You just have to get through it ... "

31:48 - The business side of business.

33:06 - Finding good mentors.

How to reach Carly: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Primary Petals

Book Recommendations:

Girl Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

The Five Second Rule by Mel Robbins

How to Be a Bad A** by Jen Sincero

Podcast Recommendations:

Rise Podcast

Super Soul Sunday

How I Built This

My Favorite Murder

To Live & Die in LA

Resources Mentioned:

Evernote

Anthony Sylvester (EP 107) talks about his love for Southern hip-hop videos, what it takes to be a good storyteller and why "you cannot control everything". Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:13 - What inspired Anthony to move to Los Angeles.

5:35 - What is it like living in NYC, LA, Philadelphia and Hungary.

8:55 - First video that comes to mind & why the love for Southern hip-hop videos.

11:59 - The role of the music video in the current times.

14:20 - Where does the name Cutsdatflo come from.

19:39 - Directing a proof of concept video.

22:07 - Anthony's love for Tumblr.

25:18 - What does it take to be a good storyteller.

31:34 - How does Anthony stick to his pricing strategies.

35:08 - The Apple Store story.

44:32 - Kevin Lopez.

54:25 - "You cannot control everything ... "

56:14 - Father Rock.

How to reach Anthony: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Vimeo

Book Recommendations:

The Culture of Narcissism by Christopher Lasch

Natasha Ray (EP 106) talks to us about being on Shark Tank, how we are all inside out projects and the importance of the 80/20 rule. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

3:37 - The difference in living in LA compared to Washington, DC.

6:48 - Working as a manicurist in a hospice facility.

8:31 - Hammer & Nails and Shark Tank.

11:20 - Why fear stops so many people. "I Choose To Jump"

13:13 - Why Natasha chose men's grooming as her niche.

18:12 - "I don't pay attention to the competition ..."

24:49 - From a caterpillar to a butterfly.

25:40 - Self worth and a shout out to mom.

27:54 - "Walk away ... "

30:54 - "When people show you who they are, believe them ... "

33:25 - "Silence is so powerful ... "

35:19 - "80/20 rule - listen more and speak less ..."

How to reach Natasha: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Book Recommendations:

"Acts of Faith" by Iyanla Vanzant

Pawntra Shadab (EP 105) discusses her event career, recovering from temporarily losing her eyesight and why we must be present as often as possible.

Show Notes:

6:31 - Valuable lessons learned from her first internship to now.

8:07 - Benefits of being active with MPI.

10:44 - What is it like working with her mom.

11:46 - How Pawntra fills up her creativity cup.

15:49 - "Talk less and listen more ... "

17:58 - "Bring on the criticism ... "

18:43 - Pawntra's story about temporarily losing her vision.

24:57 - "I'm an instigator of ideas ... "

26:23 - "I wish I could take more risks ... "

31:31 - "Be patient ... "

How to reach Pawntra: Instagram | Linkedin | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendation:

"Excuses Be Gone" by Wayne Dyer

Grammy-nominated Kyle Puccia (EP 104) shares why pop music is his first love, gives advice to aspiring musicians and explains why you should not put a limitation on your dreams. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

4:57 - What inspired Kyle to move to Los Angeles.

6:37 - What makes Los Angeles extraordinary.

10:25 - "The days of an artist doing one thing are over ... "

14:50 - Why pop music is Kyle's first love.

23:42 - One key to writing good lyrics.

27:40 - The musical "Rock of Ages"

38:36 - Self care tips.

40:38 - Advice to aspiring musicians.

44:03 - "Don't put a limitation on your dreams ..."

48:45 - Advanced . juicing tips.

51:35 - "Nobody Cares ... "

64:05 - "Enjoy your life!"

How to reach Kyle: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Book Recommendations:

"Writing Better Lyrics" by Pat Pattison

"The Book of Joy" by Dalai Lama & Bishop Desmond Tutu