The Inspiration Accelerator

On this episode, Michael speaks with Dave Lubelczyk - AKA, The Brain For Rent.

A former branding columnist, business author, brand strategist, idea incubation consultant, and President of the branding firm IMAGEidentity, LTD. he has provided creative and consultation services to large corporations, non-profits, and small start-ups for over thirty years.

Dave’s book, MYOB: Mind Your Own Brand, is a collection of articles designed to spark a new mindset about brands and business.

Dave currently leads the Tailored Success Journey program which helps people chart their custom voyage to a fulfilling life. He helps individuals use their personal compass to navigate both their life and business concurrently in order to maximize their achievements and experiences and live life without any deathbed regrets.

Dave and Michael talk about designing a life where work isn't the priority, but rather a tool to allow for non-work time to be more fulfilling.

Enjoy!

On this episode, Michael speaks to Jenn Jordan. Jenn is a healthcare attorney, a mom of three, a wellness coach focused on women's growth, and an endurance athlete.

On this episode, Jenn and Michael talk about the importance of challenging oneself, embracing pain, and Jenn's super-human endurance feats.

Enjoy!

On this episode, Michael speaks to Melissa Finkelstein. Melissa is a New Jersey-based author, lawyer, and proud mom of three. Since she was a young girl, Melissa has loved creating stories and poems. 

She began her career as a litigator in Manhattan but craved a more creative and whimsical outlet. 

Once she had her son (7), and twin daughters (5), Melissa decided to share their unique stories, personalities, and needs through her children's book series "The Big Feelings Friends."  

Melissa and Michael talk about walking away from certainty toward passion, creating a more inclusive world, and Melissa's amazing book series!

Enjoy!

On this episode, Michael speaks with Noah Pines. Noah is a criminal defense lawyer in Atlanta and a frequent guest commentator on Court TV. A partner at Ross & Pines, he's known for his willingness to tackle tough cases.

He also talks to teens to offer guidance about real-life legal issues they need to know the repercussions of including fake IDS, underage drinking, sexual assault, and sexting.

Outside of work, Noah spends his time training for endurance events like 29029, running and hiking with friends, and pushing disabled athletes in wheelchairs for the Kyle Pease Foundation.

Michael and Noah talk about what makes an endurance athlete, the multiple benefits of helping others and giving back, and how much TV is too much.

Enjoy!

On this episode, Michael speaks with Leo Chan. Leo is the founder of Abound Innovation Inc., former Senior Innovation Lead at Chick-fil-A, and former innovator at State Farm Insurance.

He believes a work culture that empowers innovators creates a thriving atmosphere for meaningful, fulfilling work with exponential impact.

Leo is a named inventor on 55 US patents. He’s a licensed trainer of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methods, a Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator, and a Certified Creativity Coach.

With over 20 years of experience in the world of innovation and creativity, Leo knows how to identify and raise up, future innovators. Leo loves to bring the joy of innovation into organizations and transform everyday people into confident innovators.

Leo and Michael talk about, you guessed it, innovation. And he actually convinces Michael that he's an innovator. 

Enjoy!

Kimberly King is an award-winning author, teacher, and authority on sexual abuse prevention. A survivor of sexual assault turned advocate and educator, Kimberly started her work with sexual abuse prevention as a women’s health Peer Counselor and Human Sexuality teaching assistant to the renowned Dr. Sandra Caron. After more than a decade of teaching kindergarten and proactive momming, her son had a body safety scare that led her in a new direction. She realized she wanted to take the scare out of sexual abuse prevention and wrote the popular book, “I Said No! A kid-to-kid guide to keeping private parts private.”

Hundreds of thousands of copies later, she continues to help parents, and all who care for kids, find ways of learning to talk about body safety with ease so they can prevent abuse and protect their kids.

Her work has been featured in various magazines, podcasts, and blogs, including; ABC, NBC, THE LIST, NTD NEWS, ABC, The Mother Side, NY Post, Yahoo News, Newsweek, Ticker News, The Chicago Tribune, Women's World Magazine, Women’s Fitness, Child Mind Institute, Social Work Now, US News and World Report, Yahoo News, The New York Post, Center for Prevention of Child Abuse Organization, Aha Parenting, NSVRC, Attorneys for Sexual Abuse, The Health Journal, Modern Mom, PopSugar, Child Life Mom, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Thrive Global, Medium, and Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine

On this very informative episode, Kimberly and Michael talk about keeping our kids safe, what abuse signs to look for, how much parenting is too much parenting, and what messages we can send to our kids so they feel comfortable coming to us if something happens.

Please take a listen.

On this episode, Michael speaks to Winn Claybaugh. Winn is the author of Be Nice (Or Else!) and “one of the best motivational speakers in the country,” according to CNN’s Larry King, who wrote the foreword for the book.

Winn is the founder, co-owner, and dean of Paul Mitchell Advanced Education, and a popular seminar leader and keynote speaker. He has helped thousands of businesses build their brands and create successful working cultures; his clients have included Southwest Airlines, the Irvine Company, Vidal Sassoon, Entertainment Tonight, Mattel, For Rent magazine, and many other businesses from hospitals to apartment communities.

Winn has interviewed over 325 beauty and business professionals, artists, educators, and mentors for his popular MASTERS series, which has more than 1 million podcast downloads.

Winn won the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor, which recognizes individuals who have made it their mission to share their knowledge, courage, compassion, talents, and generosity with those less fortunate.

From 2004 to 2022, Winn led the Paul Mitchell School network to collectively raise over $24 million for multiple charitable organizations.

Over the years, funds donated through the Andrew Gomez Dream Foundation, which he co-founded, have helped to support charities including Leeza’s Care Connection, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Larry King Cardiac Foundation, Fran Drescher’s Cancer Schmancer, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Gary Sinise Foundation, Magic Johnson Foundation, Morris Animal Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Food 4 Africa, Boys & Girls Clubs, hurricane and wildfire relief, AIDS causes, breast cancer causes, City of Hope, American Cancer Society, and many more.

For his leadership of the Paul Mitchell School network’s annual FUNraising campaign, Winn has been honored with Friendly House’s Humanitarian of the Year award, Thirst Project’s Vision Award, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking’s (Cast) Visionary Leadership Award, and No Limits’ Ambassador and Champion of Children awards.

Michael and Winn talk about connecting people, living and working using guiding principles, and giving back!

Enjoy!

Michael Parnell is a Father, Husband, Entrepreneur, and Founder of The Ascent2aCure Foundation, a non-profit public charity which holds all expense paid adventure camps for children with the rare autoimmune disease, Juvenile Myositis, and their families. 

His daughter, Ryan, was diagnosed with the disease at the age of 3, and he and his wife Erin have pledged 10% of the profits from each custom home they build with their company MPC Builders to support this foundation and the mission to "Create a community of support for children with Juvenile Myositis and their families, so no one fights this alone."

Michael and Michael talk about family and fitness and being unstoppable for your kids on this very emotional episode of TIA.

Enjoy!

Thomas Hamm is the Founder & CEO of SMASH Wellness LLC providing clients with holistic fitness and wellness practices. He refers to himself as your "Wellness GPS," helping you to arrive at your desired destination as safely and as quickly as possible.

He has studied, traveled, and worked with clients in cities around the globe such as Napa Valley, Sydney, Charleston, Miami, San Francisco, Vail, New York, Luzern and Zurich, Atlanta, Strasbourg, Santorini, Athens, Rome, Milan, Florence, Venice, Oxford, Bath, Lake District-UK, and London.

On this episode, Thomas gets fired up as he and Michael talk about fitness, wellness, and leading with love.

Check it out!

On this episode, Michael speaks to Keith Hille.

Keith is a husband, father, designer, and performer. As a designer, his affection for branding radiates through his creative services with Hille Design. His passion for music and connecting with people shines brightest when he's on stage, leading sing-alongs to energized crowds.  

Keith and Michael talk about showing up big, walking away from certainty and into uncertainty, and how preparation is easy when prepping for something you're passionate about.

Keith also closes the show by playing one of his original songs. Which is a first on TIA!

Enjoy!