Episode 76: Cindy Gersch & Manifest: 7 Steps to Living Your Best Life by Roxie Nafousi

For this conversation, Cindy, an Entrepreneur and Rare Disease Advocate, walks me through how her life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) in 2018. Cindy shares that she lost almost everything -- her husband, her running, her job, most of her friends -- she felt made her who she was at that point -- her identity.

A close brush with death woke her up, though, showing her she could be a healthy person living with a disease instead of an unhealthy person living with a disease. She made that intentional choice and moved forward, doing what she does best -- telling

Having studied broadcast journalism and spent years as reporter -- a natural storyteller -- she founded her own company and later became an advocate for those living with FMD. It was through that advocacy path of her journey that she realized her purpose

Tough days, tough experiences -- how do they change us and what do we get out of them? Everything happens for a reason. It's up to us to explore and understand what that reason may be, no

Purpose has almost become cliché, brought up so often that with each mention it loses some meaning. I recently had a conversation with college business students, sharing with them that they would know when they met theirs. That it's not the same

Don't underestimate the power of purpose, that insatiable personal fire, fuel, and driver. Cindy herself here shares how much more she gets out of life now that she has that purpose

Conversation Highlights

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Cindy is, In life, especially in those moments where you feel lost, how are you intentionally designing your path forward?

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE

ABOUT CINDY

Cindy is a former CBS and military reporter who covered the attacks on September 11th. With a successful career in corporate marketing for multi-billion-dollar developers, she eventually founded her own award-winning agency specializing in strategic marketing. She is also a former marathoner who has completed 13 full marathons, including the iconic Boston Marathon. Her life took a unique turn when she was diagnosed with a rare vascular disease, becoming a spokesperson for rare and chronic diseases. As a world traveler and Buffalo Bills diehard fan, Cindy is also a dedicated single mom to her 16 and 13-year-old children. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and advocacy, inspiring others with her unique experiences and passion for making a difference in the world.

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The Book Leads – Episode 75: Angelic Lovestrong & The

As Founder and CEO of Lady Powerhouse Solutions, and co-host of the Fempreneur True Confessions Podcast, Angelic is diving into all-things-entrepreneurship and building others up.

Her wide-ranging experiences and career moves have contributed to where she is today -- helping her clients get things done in their own businesses through a suite of professional services.

Building upon that mindset of getting things done, in this episode she shares her take on and experience with the book, The Secret. She speaks to what she's learned from the book and incorporated into her own life, manifesting what it is she wants to happen. Desires don't just materialize into existence. Preparation and planning go a long way in making things happen. A lot of times, though, manifesting is a matter of just...getting...started.

"Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation" by Zig Ziglar.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE EPISODES

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Angelic is, c

About Angelic

Angelic started working when she was 16. She’s worked in restaurants, a big city PR Firm, web design, human resources, quality control, major fundraising, and opened and closed her own retail brick and mortar. No matter the industry, she’s been creating solid infrastructure for businesses since 1991. Then she decided, “No more working for others, making everyone else awesome. It’s time for me and what I am called to do.” It was time for a bigger leap. She’s created a business allowing her the power and freedom to choose who to serve and how. Lady Powerhouse Solutions supports women-powered initiatives that honor a calling and act with purpose to achieve their vision.

I was introduced to Angelic by video producer and YouTube Strategist Edie Clarke, whom I had a conversation with in Episode

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The Book Leads – Episode 74: Lisa Haisha & Her Book, SoulBlazing: Transform Your Imposters into Superpowers and Live a More Purposeful, Authentic Life

In this episode, Lisa -- a life coach, television host, author, and spiritual healer --walks me through her journey and work around the world that culminated in the creation of her soul-blazing therapy and book.

We hear about authenticity all the time. But what does that TRULY look like when our lives and work are not being hijacked by our inner imposters -- the Victim, The Egotist, The Seductor, The Joker, The Fixer, The Overthinker, and The Judge.

These personalities are the focus of Lisa's book. It's important we see how each of them plays out in whatever situation we may find ourselves. It's especially important to understand when we can use them to our advantage.

We tend to default into passive mode in life and work, reacting to what life gives us. We do it to survive, and yes, we do get by. But, in doing that, how much are we forgoing we truly are and what we truly want?

In this conversation, as Lisa broke down what each of the personalities is and when it tends to show up, I thought about when each has reared its head in my life.

It also helps to think about when we just let it happens and when we tap into each of those for our benefit. Lisa gives great examples of when we can do just that.

Our energy in life should not be discounted or forfeited so easily. Working to understand our own will help us tap into what we want and need for ourselves -- REALLY need for ourselves.

Conversation Highlights

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Lisa is, Are you aware of how much and how often the inner imposters are appearing in the various areas of your life?

ABOUT LISA

Featured as one of the top life coaches to watch in 2023 by Entrepreneur Magazine, Lisa is a television host, mother, entrepreneur, personal coach, author, cultural researcher, world traveler, motivational speaker, corporate keynote, and spiritual healer. Lisa has traveled to over 80 countries to learn from people on their terms, including in boardrooms, yurts, bedohwin caves, South American jungles, ancient cities, prisons, and orphanages. Leveraging these learnings and her education, holding a Masters in Spiritual Psychology, Lisa packaged her unique methodology into her best-selling "SoulBlazing" book, helping thousands worldwide live more purposeful, authentic lives.

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MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE PASTEPISODES

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNpTQTFjuN6Tjs52JB7zUQ

Learn more about The Book Leads: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/got-lead-great-book-thats-impacted-your-work-life-me-john

The Book Leads - Episode 73: ⁠Kimberlee Pita⁠ & ⁠Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert⁠

The magic of who we are. That's what this book and conversation cover. In Episode 73, Kim, a Mental Wellness Coach and Founder of the Love Your Mental Health LLC, reflects on both her career and mental health journeys.

A tool pivotal in Kim's wellness work is mindfulness -- taking stock of both what's around us and within us.

She found Big Magic by chance, but it made -- and left -- a

For her, the book put to words how different we all are, how different our circumstances are, and how much we tend to not realize what we're capable of in our lives. There is so much we can unlock from deep within ourselves.

We spend most of our lives and career looking for it (the "magic") on the outside and in our environments.

There really is magic inside all of us. It's that uniqueness we can bring to the world, something that is only ours, a culmination and result of ALL the experiences we've collected along our journey.

If you don't want to call it magic because it sounds hokey, call it whatever you want. A gift, that something special, your driver, your passion, your reason for being -- whatever resonates for you.

But society stops us from letting it (whatever you decided to call it just now) get through. We conform to the script of life, mute ourselves because of the attitude of others, fear that paralyzes us, and hold back on and give up on ourselves. We're through before we even get started.

Check out this book even if you're not a traditional creative -- the singer, the musician, the painter, the sculptor, the photographer, the writer. Everyone is capable of creating in one form or another.

Find what's yours.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Kim is, How are you tapping into the inner magic that is unique to you and that serves as your gift to the world?

ABOUT KIM

A mental health advocate and past board chair of Mental Health Connecticut, Kim founded and launched Love Your Mental Health LLC in 2021, where she helps people turn their fears of mental health into love through self-care. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of Copper Beech Institute, a mindfulness center in West Hartford, Connecticut, as well as the Framingham State College Alumni Association. Kim is certified in Mental Health First Aid, life purpose & happiness coaching, mindfulness facilitation, and singing bowls (level 1).

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The Book Leads - Episode 72: Sabina Sulat & Agile Unemployment: Your Guide to Thriving While Out of Work

In this episode, Sabina, an Employment Expert and Author, walks me through her corporate and entrepreneurial journey that's lead her to recognize -- through immense hardships -- the lessons she can share with others. She seeks to help others avoid the depth of the pitfalls she encountered in her own periods without a job.

Aside from the administrative tasks professionals need to be aware of between jobs, there's also the psychological work they need to do -- for themselves.

Sabina's book and talks are helping bring those psychological needs to the forefront so we don't forget them when it comes to improving our employment status. We tend to put ourselves completely at the mercy of employers, forgetting our own needs.

That needs to stop -- for our own sake.

My conversation with Sabina was a solid reminder to always consider your own self-worth and reinforce your own sense of meaning, not tying it to any particular job or relationship.

We should have a healthy understanding of where our work ends and where we begin. Once we find that meaning mentioned above, we can have an ongoing and consistent source of pride, fulfillment, and sustenance.

These reminders serve us whether we are between jobs or currently employed. The value of the lessons is that we should always be aware of them -- not just when we're looking for a job.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Sabina is, Do you recognize what an asset you are in the work you can do and the value you provide?

ABOUT SABINA

Sabina has worked in Human Resources and Organizational Development for the past fifteen years. In 2018 Sabina found herself unemployed for the first time in her career and used that experience to write the book "Agile Unemployment: Your Guide to Thriving While Out of Work". She also hosts the "Agile Unemployment Podcast", the top unemployment podcast in the US. Her current work, through her company, Re: Working, focuses on helping others to build confidence and resilience as they navigate through all aspects of being out of work to find careers and jobs that align with their values and skills. Sabina regularly speaks to groups and organizations to help others learn to take control of their careers and to help corporations take a human-first approach with their employees. This fall Sabina will be taking part in the Beyond Lean In book tour joining fellow female workplace authors for a series of events across the country as they share their knowledge and insights with others, regardless of gender. Sabina's second and yet untitled book will be released in the fall of 2023, tackling the topic of explaining how work works to those just starting their careers.

MORE ABOUT SABINA

Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNpTQTFjuN6Tjs52JB7zUQ

Learn more about The Book Leads: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/got-lead-great-book-thats-impacted-your-work-life-me-john/

The Book Leads - Episode 71: Dr. Bridget Cooper (Cannon) & Unflappable: How Smart People Quit Overthinking, Ditch the Drama, & Thrive at Work

This is my second episode with cage-rattler, prolific author, and leadership advisor Dr. B. For those only meeting Bridget for the first time in this episode, she walks me through her career journey, from empowering her coaching clients to that same work taking on even greater meaning when she experienced life-altering changes after a traumatic motor vehicle accident.

This conversation speaks to how our past is impacting our present and future. We need to heal and reconcile correctly, most importantly for ourselves, before we can really move forward.

And so much bullshit from our past gets in our way today. Yes, they are tools, and yes, they serve a purpose. But when they toxify what we're trying to do, they become bullshit.

We can design what we choose to do with those past traumas and disruptions. But most of us never take the time to look back and really see what's what. Bridget provides so many tools in this

Conversation Highlights

Mentioned or Applicable Books

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Bridget is, Which tools do you have at your disposal to make your way through (and heal from) the obstacles, challenges, and traumas of your life?

About Dr. B.

Dr. B a cage rattler who helps teams and leaders think and communicate more clearly and strategically so they can work and navigate problems proactively and effectively. She works with clients to overcome the attitudes, tactics, and patterns that derail their success through coaching, corporate consulting, and leading workshops that guide and inspire people to live more authentic, peaceful, and powerful lives. TEDx speaker and best-selling author of seven books on communication, conflict, change, and empowerment (including the 2023 toolkit, "Unflappable”), her mission is to change the world, one life at a time. Dr. B volunteers for Junior Achievement, Lasagna Love, The Miss America Organization, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and various other charities near and dear to her heart.

Dr. B's been with me on the series before when in Episode 24 we covered her book Pain Rebel: How We Take Our Power Back. That was in April of 2022…we’re in October of 2023…a year and a half ater.

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The Book Leads - Episode 70: Oakland McCulloch & His Book, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be

Oak is a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel whose life and career -- including 23 years in the military -- have been about service to others. After he retired, he went on to run his local Food Bank and continue his service to the military through recruiting future leaders into the service.

Now, Oak is out there, spreading the message of servant leadership across the country and around the world through both his writing and speaking.

The military is about both a higher standard of leaders and service to others. From being a captain across the sports of baseball, basketball, and football and being president of his class and student government while a young man to the work he's doing now, his is a leadership forged in the lessons and stories he shares -- a lifetime of serving others.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Oak is, How much do you serve others through your leadership?

ABOUT OAK

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch is a nationally recognized keynote speaker and the author of the 2021 release, Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be. Both his leadership presentation and his book are based on his 40+ years of leadership experience , including 23 years as a combat arms officer in the United States Army). In both his book and his leadership presentation, Oak highlights principles that will benefit today’s leaders and inspire the leaders of tomorrow, in any profession and at any level of leadership.

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EPISODES WITH SIMILAR THEMES AND REFERENCES

Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNpTQTFjuN6Tjs52JB7zUQ

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The Book Leads - Episode 69: & The Gift 12 Lessons to Save Your Life by Dr. Edith Eger

In this episode, Corinne, shares both insights from Dr. Eger's book and how those insights have benefitted her in her own life -- one of traumatic experience, forgiveness, and growth.

Having experienced that journey herself, she brings her energy for life and wisdom through experience and learning to her coaching clients and retreat guests to help them heal from their own adversity.

Like Dr. Eger conveyed to her patients and implored in her book, Corinne also wants those she's helping to recognize the light that exists beyond hopelessness.

We all need to heal in some way, shape, or form. It may not be apparent, obvious, and evident on the surface, so it may take some reflection to explore and understand the deep-rooted reasons why we feel -- or react to the world -- in a certain way.

The takeaway from this conversation that resonates with me most is that of intentional evolution through victimhood -- and the ability and need to get beyond that vulnerable state. Don't get us

So, after we have fully experienced and felt what that source of pain has left behind, we must do the work to step beyond it and build from that remaining rubble and ash.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Corinne is, When you feel like a victim and you feel hopeless, what do (can) you see BEYOND those sensations?

ABOUT CORINNE

Corinne is a transformation expert serving women who experience challenging transitions – divorce, career change, empty nest, family estrangement, addiction and loss of a loved one. Through her uplifting energy, soothing demeanor, and extensive training in a mosaic of modalities – Internal Family Systems, Respectful Confrontation and Compassion-based therapies – Corinne guides women on a path of joy, connection and love, overcoming the pain of invisible loss. Because Corinne has experienced firsthand invisible loss and the power of healing in community, she leads intimate, small group retreat experiences in beautiful places all over the world as a foundation in creating the Healing the Heart Sisterhood. These intentional communities are comprised of women who are willing to do the deep soul work of Healing the Heart with vulnerability, compassion, and love. In addition to her coaching and retreats, Corinne has launched a weekly Mindfulness Class called Wisdom Wednesdays: Cultivating Calm for the Hurried Human, and that class began on September 20th.

I was introduced to Corinne by Erin Harrigan, who I had as a guest in Episode 55 of the series in which we covered her book, Pursuing Success God’s Way: A Practical Guide to Hustle With Heart.

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Watch the episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNpTQTFjuN6Tjs52JB7zUQ

Learn more about The Book Leads: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/got-lead-great-book-thats-impacted-your-work-life-me-john/

In this episode, Pete, an entrepreneur, angel investor, and podcast host, whose superpower is storytelling and branding, walks me through how creativity has impacted his life and businesses. He and I both agree that Rick Rubin's book will become a seminal book of knowledge and wisdom -- a book of evergreen creativity -- and that its relevance will still be remain strong a hundred years from now.

We both agree with the foundational tenet of the book: We are all creators. Creativity is in our DNA as humans, and it's at our fingertips -- and within our birthright -- to find out what it is, how to tap into it, and share it as best we can.

Creativity should not only be left to the traditional creative professions -- the musicians, artists, sculptors, photographers, etc.

There is so much we can create in our everyday work and lives, no matter who we are. We can create ideas, discussions, questions, moments, emotions, solutions, etc.

Pete shares his evolution from his initial start as a technical creator to how creativity skills help him cast a ripple effect of awareness and creation, as a leader, throughout his team and businesses today.

Without curiosity, you can't learn about yourself, others, or your industry, tribe, or group.

The same way curiosity aims to seek what's out there, creativity seeks to channel what we can design and provide for others from ourselves. It doesn't matter what you do in work, business, or life, creativity is a part of you. It's a birthright, as Rick Rubin writes and Pete shares in this episode.

We are all capable of something unique. It's on each of us to find out what it is we're here to provide to

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

BOOKS MENTIONED

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Pete is, Do you realize everyone has the

ABOUT PETE

Pete Sena, a pioneering entrepreneur, co-founded Digital Surgeons, building his career on developing cross-functional teams for Fortune 50 companies and startups alike. He's a forward-thinking thought leader with expertise spanning from branding to Web3 technologies, attracting 33k Twitter followers and 4.2k on Medium. Dedicated to academia, Pete mentors at Yale and acts as an entrepreneur-in-residence at the University of Connecticut. He hosts the podcast "Forward Obsessed", exploring business and tech insights. Originating from a dorm-room startup, he built District, a CT-based tech campus, and guided startups to success. Now, Pete focuses on AI's societal impact, inspiring future entrepreneurs.

David Salinas, Pete's co-host on Forward Obsessed and co-author with me on a chapter in the book Ten Secrets to Success After Graduation, introduced me to Pete. Nick Wagner Sr. was lead author on that book.

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Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtNpTQTFjuN6Tjs52JB7zUQ

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The Book Leads - Episode 67: Holly Jackson & Her Book, Inspiration Contagion: Health Secrets For Raving Success

In this episode, Holly, a Revenue Maximizer, Bestselling Author, and Podcast Host, walks me through her life's challenges and lessons that have lead her into the work she's doing now, the book she's written (with more to come), and the movement she's created.

She's another great example of an author who is putting to the page the lessons that have helped them to help others streamline their own journey and life pain points.

And we can use Holly's lessons to tackle most of the challenges in life, including overcoming fear. And she's practicing what she preaches. (I mean, how often has anyone had to give their Tedx Talk twice because the first one wasn't recorded?)

This episode is another great reminder for all of us to share the lessons we've learned in life while sharing our own story. Sure, they may not resonate with everyone who hears them. But there will be someone who needs to hear pieces of what we have to share -- especially when it comes to minimizing their pain (whatever form it might take).

It's also a great reminder of how often we need to take our own advice and medicine, remembering the lessons we've learned along the way -- even us coaches.

We often aren't cognizant of how much is in our control and all the various pieces that go into building a sound life. I love how well-rounded Holly's book is, covering such things as sleep, self care, self-talk, chronic pain, among many others, and all shared with a the foundation of inspiration underneath them to guide us toward respecting our lives by using the tools we've been gifted for it.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Holly is, Are we taking a holistic approach when we step back, assess, and manage the challenges in our life?

ABOUT HOLLY

Holly Jean Jackson is a Revenue and Performance Consultant, International & TEDx Speaker, Podcast Host of Inspiration Contagion, Best Selling Author, and founder of Business Builder Throw Down. Her career spans from technology to communications as well as organizational change, public relations and content strategy. In her Peak Performance Blueprint, she looks at a holistic and logistical approach to success. Business owners hire her to master the art and science of real success because most lack direction, action, and results. So, she helps define and design a business roadmap for impactful visibility, intentional profitability, and endless sustainability.

I met Holly through publisher and business strategist Laura Di Franco , whom I met while contributing my own chapter to the book The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Successful Soul Professional: 22 Powerful Growth Strategies for Upleveling Your Soul-Aligned Business, a book for which Laura was the publisher and Camille L. Miller, MBA, Ph.D. ABD, the lead author.

I had a conversation with Camille in Episode 58 of this series.

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Watch the episode on YouTube: ⁠https://lnkd.in/ey_KTZe⁠

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