Every human project is so different! And there are just some things a person must do when they tackle one. It is unavoidable. Paul “Anvil” O’Keefe served me that staunch reminder! Paul is the son of an Air Force Chief Master Sergeant and his self-taught “executive chef” wife. While Paul says he was a D+ student through all 5 years of high school, he has tackled some extraordinary projects. An Air Force veteran himself, Paul proudly served 10 years, including 4 deployments to the Middle East. He is a former MMA heavyweight fighter who went on to tackle a philanthropic endeavor – taking a 5-man team on a 22-miles-a-day ruck march from San Diego, California to Washington, D.C. to support wounded warriors. Now an entrepreneur and talented jewelry designer, he is the co-owner of MetalUrgency – and my new friend. He pulls no punches (pun intended), and he does it with warmth and heart. Take a listen!

In this episode:

- Know what is right for YOU

- Nobody sees your journey; they just see the result

- Get a plan

- Every goal (plan) can be broken into “baby steps”

- Everything is NOT instant

- We all have something to contribute

Connect with Paul:

- Instagram – @_the_anvil_

- Facebook – @anvilokeefe

- MetalUrgency – soulmetalworks.com

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- www.theencourageproject.com

- Facebook – @theencourageproject

- Instagram – @the_encourage_project

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

I occasionally meet someone whose energy is so magnetic that I just want to spend hours listening to them and drinking in their wisdom and light. Diane M. Simard is one of those people! Take a listen, and you will hear her shine! Recognized as one of the 100 inaugural “National Women in Business to Watch” by BizWomen.com, Diane M. Simard is an award-winning author, Executive Vice President and board member of Bye Aerospace in Denver, Colorado and founder of the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) at the University of Denver.

After completing treatment for advanced Stage III breast cancer in 2015, Diane founded COPE, the first specialty in the U.S. to train graduate-level clinical psychology students how to work with cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. During treatment, she kept a journal of her experience, which she published as a memoir, The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer. The book was recently named one of the “Best Breast Cancer Books of All Time” by Book Authority, and Diane was featured on the cover of Breast Cancer Wellness magazine for her advocacy work to bring more attention to the psychological impact of cancer.

In this episode:

- You do not have to be an expert

- Get curious!

- Make a plan

- Ask for what you need

- Discover what comforts you

- Help someone else

References:

- Diane’s book “The Unlikely Gift of Breast Cancer” – dianemsimard.com/book/

- Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) – psychology.du.edu/clinics/center-oncology-psychology-excellence

Connect with Diane:

- Website – dianesimard.com

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/diane-moravec-simard

- Facebook – facebook.com/diane.simard.397948

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

The name says it all! I learned a couple of incredible lessons recently, and I want to encourage you to explore them with me. I had one of those weeks where all the hard things going on in life collided at once. And that was followed by doing something I have always wanted to do! Talk about a rollercoaster of emotion. Here is what I know… We are in this together. I believe in you.

In this episode:

- Hard is hard

- Ask for what you need

- Listen, offer support, be quiet

- Things will change

- Do something you have always wanted to do

- It does not have to be big

- It is not forever

- Celebrate

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

Do you have people in your life who just inspire you to do better, to be better? Cathy Hodges is one of those people for me. Cathy is a former global sales executive (having held leadership positions at Dillard’s, Donna Karan, Estee Lauder and Avon, to name a few) turned entrepreneur. She is the founder of Increased Orbit, a strategic growth consulting company, where she uses her analytical, organizational and communication skills to help other leaders build sales, improve process, and motivate teams. She leads with integrity and wisdom, and I am so excited to share her insights with The Encourage Project community. Enjoy!

In this episode:

- Stuck? Move!

- Create a routine

- Surround yourself with great people

- Develop a roadmap

- Know your lane

- Plan and prepare

- Take intentional action

References:

- DWEN (Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network) – www.dwen.com

- Strengthsfinder (now called CliftonStrengths) – www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths

- Hopscotch (popular playground game) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopscotch

Connect with Cathy:

- Instagram – Instagram.com/increasedorbit

- Increased Orbit – https://www.increasedorbit.com

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

What a great way to kick off the new year! I spent an engaging afternoon talking focus, vision, and radical responsibility with the articulate and charming Amber Taggard. Amber is Owner and Founder of The Organizer Chicks. She is a Professional Organizer, time-management coach, and public speaker. She holds an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health and is passionate about using her counseling psychology background to help people improve their mental and emotional health by creating peaceful and productive physical spaces. So many nuggets to grab as you set the tone for 2021. Take a listen!

In this episode:

- Start with the end in mind

- Focus on what comes easy

- Clarify vision over time

- Take radical responsibility

- Morning rituals

References:

- Amber’s TED talk -

https://www.ted.com/talks/amber_farrow_taggard_avoidable_negativity_harnessing_the_power_of_organization

- The Miracle Morning (book) by Hal Elrod

Connect with Amber:

- Facebook – facebook.com/theorganizerchicks

- Instagram – Instagram.com/theorganizerchicks

- The Organizer Chicks - https://www.theorganizerchicks.com/

- The Organizer Chicks Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/5Py5nBxxFThItTF35FWbSM?si=GbSxxwlSRkGd1ZPZZbBA7Q

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

This is the last episode of 2020! Through the lens of our shared experience of the last year, I took some time for gratitude and to embrace a few lessons. As we look to the new year, I wanted to share. Thank you for being a part of The Encourage Project!

In this episode:

- Closing the door on 2020

- Insights

- Clear vision

- Lessons to carry forward

- Start when you want to start

- Push – or do not

- Lead with love

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/amy-a-fairchild-she-her-hers-pmp-03b7022

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano is the Co-Lead Minister of Mile Hi Church in Lakewood, Colorado USA. Listen in as we discuss finding your purpose, building confidence and enjoying the journey. It all begins with you – listen to your inner truth!

In this episode:

- Inner voices

- What is purpose?

- Challenges create growth

- Opinions and what to do with them

- Celebration!

Connect with Rev. Dr. Michelle Medrano

- www.milehichurch.org

Continue the conversation with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

Action is great! It demonstrates progress and creates momentum in your human project. But action without accountability is kind of like a map without any markings; you might be able to tell where you are, but you will have no idea whether you are headed in the right direction! Accountability sets us up for getting the most out of reflection. It is critical for our growth through the challenges of any human project.

In this episode:

- What is accountability?

- How do you set it up within your human project?

- The key to accountability

- Be honest

- Be true to your values

- Keep your word

Connect with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

Joy Clausen-Soto and I “met” quite by accident. We connected on LinkedIn (neither of us remembers who contacted whom), and I got curious. A few weeks and a couple of emails later, I spent a wonderful hour talking with this incredible woman about her story of dream jobs, struggle and telling a different story. So many nuggets for The EP community about human projects! More on Joy…

When Joy was twenty-four years old, she decided to leave her dream job working with dolphins to pursue a career in filmmaking. Three months into film school, Joy was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood cancer, and had to drop out of film school. Everything she knew changed, but one thing remained constant. . . the camera.

Joy recorded everything, from her first diagnosis of cancer with a high survival rate to the changed diagnosis of a more aggressive type of cancer with a lower survival rate. Joy didn't let the cancer diagnosis end her dreams of becoming a filmmaker. She was able to find a way to maintain control over her story during a time in her life when she had very little control.

Joy founded the annual Children's Hospital dolphin interaction at SeaWorld San Diego. She has inspired people to find ways to get back control of their lives and to pursue their dreams.

Joy has shared her story on the TEDx stage, ABC, NBC, FOX News, Telemundo, Univision, and KPBS.

In this episode:

- Why not me?

- More than 1 dream

- Leaping into the unknown

- The power of support

- Celebrate!

Connect with Joy:

- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-clausen-soto

- www.joyclausensoto.com

Connect with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!

You started with a vision, then created a plan and got into action. It is time for the next phase of PAR – time to reflect! Reflection – taking time to conduct a conscious assessment of your progress – is vital to achieving your human project. It’s where the magic happens!

In this episode:

- Reflection is not a license to beat yourself up

- Refine, reward, resume

- The great reminders

- Gratitude and momentum

References:

- Casey Weatherford, Brand Storyteller

- Kind Creative Co.

- www.kindcreativeco.com

Connect with Amy and The Encourage Project community!

- Facebook – facebook.com/theencourageproject

- Instagram – Instagram.com/the_encourage_project

- Email – [email protected]

Special thanks to my producer Connor Reed and the band Suite 25 (check them out on Spotify)!