In this deeply personal episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates honors the life and legacy of his father, who was not only his dad but also his first boss, mentor, and a creative director who profoundly shaped Stephen’s own career and creative journey. Following his father’s sudden passing on October 5th, 2020, Stephen shares stories that illuminate his father’s impact as a designer and mentor, while reflecting on how his own life and work have been influenced in response to his father’s career. Join Stephen for a heartfelt tribute that invites you to explore the powerful bonds between family, mentorship, and creativity.

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In this game-changing episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the common roadblocks of job hunting—frustration, self-doubt, and the struggle to stand out in today’s hiring process. Stephen breaks down the underlying issues that hold you back and shares fresh strategies to overcome these obstacles, helping you “short circuit” the traditional job hunt and achieve better results. If you’re tired of the same old application process and want to learn how to boost your chances, tune in for actionable insights and a new approach to job searching.

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In this must-listen episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates tackles the critical importance of building a standout personal brand in today’s competitive landscape. He explores why so many resumes, portfolios, and personal brands fail to make an impact, blending into the crowd instead of setting individuals apart. Stephen breaks down the key elements of a strong personal brand, the common pitfalls to avoid, and shares actionable steps to create a memorable, powerful brand that gets you noticed. Tune in to learn how to define, build, and elevate your personal brand to stand out and drive career success.

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In this eye-opening episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates breaks down the essential skills of salary negotiation, a step that most professionals overlook in both new and existing roles. Stephen shares why understanding your value, asking the right questions, and confidently negotiating are key to shaping your career and securing your financial future. Tune in to learn the strategies, mindset, and expectations you need to approach salary negotiations successfully and take control of your career growth.

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In the third #ShareTheMicNow episode on The Crazy One, Jackie Velasquez Ross (Senior Recruiter), Dorcie Lovinsky (Engineering Manager), and Christian Clark (Strategic Renewals Manager) open up about their personal journeys, challenges, and aspirations as Black professionals in the tech industry. Through candid stories and insights, they shed light on the realities of navigating a field that often lacks diversity and inclusion, while sharing their hopes for a more equitable future. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation on resilience, identity, and the power of representation in tech.

Jackie Velasquez Ross has have never met a stranger. She is one of those people that can strike up a conversation with anyone, connect, relate, and make them feel comfortable. She has a background in Communications that is influenced by her personal and professional interest in people, culture, and media. 

Dorcie Lovinsky is a creative, intelligent, ambitious Data Engineer in the New York area who is passionate about providing data analysts and product teams the necessary data regarding end-users’ interactions with products. 

Christian Clark is a collaborative results-driven leader incorporating innovative thought, effective product storytelling, and maximum support to initiate long-term relationships and improve an organization’s overall value, growth, and clients’ success. 

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In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the challenges of driving meaningful change in a time when people, teams, companies, and entire cultures are facing unprecedented transformation. Stephen explores the key obstacles that block organizational and cultural change and shares actionable strategies for overcoming them, empowering you to make an impact regardless of your role or seniority. Tune in to discover how to shift mindsets, tackle complex problems, and lead effective change within your team or organization.

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In this powerful #ShareTheMicNow episode of The Crazy One, Sylvia Baffour delves into the importance of emotional intelligence in our professional and personal lives. She explores how to approach work with empathy, build deeper awareness, and leave a positive “emotional aftertaste” with everyone you interact with. Tune in to gain insights on cultivating emotional intelligence, creating meaningful connections, and making a lasting, positive impact on those around you.

Sylvia Baffour is a Motivational Speaker, Trainer, and Executive Coach named among HubSpot’s Top 15 Female Motivational Speakers alongside Oprah Winfrey, Mel Robbins, and Iyanla Vanzant. She is the President of Baffour International LLC., a company helping organizations thrive and succeed with emotional intelligence strategies.

Sylvia is an Emotional Intelligence expert and author of I Dare You to Care. A book focused on how we can use emotional intelligence skills to inspire, influence, and achieve remarkable growth. She is also one of the most sought-after speakers and trainers in the fields of personal empowerment and professional development.

Sylvia has lived in several countries around the world and speaks five languages. She was recently ranked among the top 18 speakers at the World Championship of Public Speaking held in Malaysia. A competition that began with 35,000 contestants from 126 countries.

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In the inaugural #ShareTheMicNow episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates presents an intimate, unfiltered conversation between design legends Maurice Cherry and Debbie Millman. Together, they explore the current state of the world, the evolving landscape of the design industry, the role of major design organizations, and their personal journeys within it all. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialogue packed with insights on creativity, industry challenges, and the power of authentic storytelling in uncertain times.

Maurice is a pioneering digital creator who is most well-known for his award-winning podcast Revision Path which was launched in 2013 with over 350 in-depth interviews with Black designers, developers, and digital creatives from all over the world. It was the first podcast to be added to the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Debbie was “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, and is an author, educator, curator and host of the podcast Design Matters which one of the world’s first and longest-running podcasts having interviewed nearly 500 artists, designers and cultural commentators over the past 14 years. In 2009 Debbie co-founded the world’s first graduate program in branding at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.

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Today, more than ever, it is NECESSARY that we all join #ShareTheMicNow to create unifying actions centered around Black, Brown, Indigenous and/or LGBTQ+ lives, stories, and calls to action. I wanted to create this short episode to talk about why I will be joining the movement, what you can expect in the next few episodes, and what I would like to ask of you.

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In this episode of The Crazy One, Stephen Gates dives into the invisible scripts and societal expectations that often control our lives and careers, shaping who we think we need to be and what we believe we should achieve. These ingrained narratives can lead to burnout, imposter syndrome, guilt, and self-doubt when we feel pressured to conform. Stephen unpacks where these limiting beliefs come from, why they persist, and—most importantly—how we can challenge and break free from them to create a more authentic path forward. Tune in for actionable insights to help you reclaim your identity and career from the weight of expectations.

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