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This week’s guest is filmmaker and activist Adnan Khan. Listen in to hear his compelling story about how he went from a troubled youth to becoming an incarcerated filmmaker at San Quentin State Prison and now an advocate for criminal justice reform. He shares deep insights about intergenerational trauma, personal growth behind bars, and his journey toward redemption.

Adnan’s life is a testament to resilience amidst adversity. His experiences shed light on the realities inside prison walls - far beyond what mainstream media portrays. Please tune in to discover how, despite harsh conditions, he found hope and purpose through filmmaking while advocating for legislative changes like Senate Bill 1437.

In this episode:

• Self-Reflection: Adnan’s introspective journey allowed him to understand the root causes of his actions and make amends for them. This teaches us the importance of self-reflection in understanding our own behaviors and patterns.
• Resilience: Despite facing harsh conditions and a life sentence at a young age, Adnan maintained hope and resilience, which kept him going each day. His story emphasizes the power of resilience in overcoming adversity.
• Empathy & Humanity: Adnan’s experiences taught him about humanity's full range from suffering to resilience, leading him to aim for peace wherever possible both for himself and others around him. This underlines the importance of empathy towards others’ struggles.
• Continuous Learning: Even while incarcerated, Adnan met individuals who were intelligent without formal degrees but skilled as lawyers or leaders, artists who brought humor into their lives despite their circumstances - demonstrating that learning is continuous regardless of your situation.
• Making Amends: Although direct restitution was impossible due to his imprisonment, he sought indirect ways such as charity within the facility by helping older inmates or sharing resources like food when possible – showing that there are always opportunities to make amends if one looks for them.
• Responsibility & Accountability: Accepting responsibility for one's actions is an important lesson. Adnan’s admitted guilt, even though he didn't directly commit murder, shows how taking accountability helps in starting a path toward redemption.

About Adnan:

Adnan Khan is a filmmaker and the Founder and Executive Director of Firstwatch Filmmakers. While incarcerated, Adnan founded Firstwatch, a media filmmaking project produced entirely by incarcerated men at San Quentin State Prison. He also created Re:Store Justice, a nonprofit criminal justice organization, where he advocated for the successful passage of Senate Bill 1437. Adnan is also a San Francisco FILM resident receiving the 2023 Filmhouse Residency.

You can find him here:

https://www.instagram.com/akhan1437

https://twitter.com/akhan1437

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In this episode, we continue exploring what it means to bring humanity into the workplace. Our guest, Sharna Fey, co-founder of Pono Coaching and Consulting, shares her expertise as an executive coach, trainer, and consultant. With over two decades of experience, Sharna helps individuals and corporations identify their core values, reach their goals, and lead authentically. She works with Fortune 500 companies and has a highly collaborative and interactive approach to producing meaningful outcomes. Tune in to learn how to infuse humanity into your professional life.

In this episode:

• The Power of Inner Work: Sharna emphasized the importance of doing the inner work to make a real difference in the world. She reminded us that personal growth is an ongoing journey, and we should never stop striving to become the best version of ourselves. It's not about arriving at a destination but embracing our humanity's continuous growth and evolution.
• Bringing Your Full Self: Sharna challenged the notion of compartmentalizing our lives, urging us to bring our whole selves to every aspect of our lives, including the workplace. She highlighted the incredible possibilities that arise when organizations create an environment where individuals feel empowered to be authentic and true to themselves. Not only does this foster efficiency and effectiveness, but it also leads to increased profitability. Talk about a win-win!
• Embracing Vulnerability and Connection: Sharna and Christie discussed the value of creating spaces where people can be vulnerable and share what’s important to them and how they like to receive feedback and coaching. By fostering open and non-hierarchical conversations, organizations can build deeper connections and tap into the true potential of their teams. 

About Sharna:

Sharna is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with more than two decades of experience working with individuals, corporations, and non-profits as an executive coach, trainer, educator, speaker, and consultant.

​As co-founder of Pono Coaching & Consulting, Sharna helps executive clients identify and lead toward their core values, define and reach their goals, and discover and pursue their most authentic and best lives. She works with corporations looking to invest in emerging or established leaders, improve overall communications, increase team effectiveness, and bring the key elements of coaching to their organizations.

​Sharna is sought out for her experience, her highly collaborative approach, and the affable and interactive learning style she uses to produce deeply meaningful outcomes. Her corporate clients include Fortune 500 companies like Google, Autodesk, Cisco Systems, IBM, Genentech, Marriott International, and Lululemon.

​For the past decade, Sharna has been on faculty at the Co-Active Training Institute, where she received her own training. She has trained thousands of adults across the United States and internationally in the co-active coaching model she employs and relishes the opportunity to mentor new coaches.

A proud alumnus of Washington State University, Sharna is a member of the International Coach Federation. A native Coloradan, Sharna made her home in San Francisco for more than 25 years and now chases summer by home-basing on Maui and traveling to

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In today's episode in our "Bringing Humanity into the Workplace" series, we are introduced to Dan Seaver, the executive director and co-founder of ManifestWorks. ManifestWorks is an organization that connects individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration with job opportunities and provides ongoing support for long-term success. 

Dan shares his journey from a career in journalism and government to becoming a youth advocate and eventually founding ManifestWorks. 

Dan aims to address the problem of system-impacted individuals being blocked from reaching their potential through his work. This episode highlights the importance of providing opportunities and support for those in need and explores Dan's personal experiences in this field.

In this episode:

• The Power of Upleveling: Throughout the episode, it becomes clear that Dan Seaver has a remarkable ability to uplift and empower those around him and leave them feeling like a better version of themselves. As leaders, we can learn from Dan's example and strive to create environments where everyone can uplevel and reach their full potential.
• Embracing Accidental Opportunities: Dan's journey into working with impacted youth and adults was not something he had planned or set out to do. It was an accident that turned into a blessing. This reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful and fulfilling paths in life are the ones we stumble upon unexpectedly. 
• Growth as a Leader: As ManifestWorks grew, Dan's role as a leader evolved. Initially, he was involved in every aspect of the organization, from teaching and counseling to selecting and placing individuals. However, as he hired a team and delegated responsibilities, his focus shifted to leading and supporting his staff. This highlights the importance of adaptability and the need to evolve our leadership styles as our organizations grow and change.

About Dan:

Dan is the Executive Director and a co-founder of ManifestWorks and has built the organization from its infancy in 2013. He oversees organizational strategy and partnerships, fundraising, and new programming initiatives.

After a career in journalism and government, Dan spent a decade as a youth advocate

while volunteering with kids incarcerated in Los Angeles County. ManifestWorks is a response to that experience, a solution to the problem of system-impacted people blocked from their potential.

Dan graduated from Northwestern University, was a Los Angeles County Probation Department commissioner from 2014 - 2021, and lives in LA with his kid.

https://www.manifestworks.org

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When we were young, we were often told to leave our emotions at the door when entering the workplace. But we’ve found that this approach stunts personal and professional growth. This week’s guest Victoria Roebuck, Area Vice President of Customer Success at BetterUp, has a different take that can revolutionize how we view leadership. Victoria believes in bringing your full self to work, not just the parts that fit neatly into a professional box. Drawing from her own experience as an African American in a predominantly white environment, she shares the fatigue of constantly code-switching and how it inspired her to foster workplaces where people can safely express their whole selves, emotions, and all.

In this episode:

• Creating spaces in the workplace for people to bring their whole selves, allowing them to focus on personal growth and becoming better individuals, which ultimately leads to better business performance
• The importance of active listening and agile leadership in today's workplace, where there's constant change and uncertainty
• How her experience of growing up as an African American in a predominantly white environment helped her understand the importance of creating a safe and inclusive workplace for all individuals
• How coaching is transformative and essential for proactively managing mental fitness and becoming a better version of oneself
• How coaching and the focus on bringing more humanity into the workplace can lead to increased engagement, inclusion, and business results
• Creating a future where coaching is accessible to everyone and it becomes as essential as physical fitness for mental well-being
• The importance of focusing on others, building strong relationships, and understanding multiple perspectives
• How the journey of bringing more humanity into the workplace requires vulnerability, but the impact is worth the effort, leading to transformational positive changes in individuals and organizations

About Victoria:

Victoria has an undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond, where she majored in Leadership Studies and minored in Business Administration. She is also an alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree. She now works as a positive psychology practitioner – helping people feel more fulfilled in their lives and work.

Since graduating from Richmond, she’s spent her career as a senior leader in start-ups leading sales, account management, and customer success teams…and now works as an Area Vice President of Customer Success at BetterUp – helping organizations take a people-first approach to business transformation and helping them unlock the full potential of their employees. Specifically, she leads a team who partners with Chief People Officers, Chief Diversity Officers, Talent Management teams, and Organizational Development and Effectiveness teams that live within enterprise organizations to help them increase employee performance & engagement, culture and strategy, organizational resilience, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, wellness, and self-actualization of their employees through coaching interventions.

Before entering the professional world, Victoria was a nationally competitive gymnast and lacrosse goalie at the University of Richmond, where

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From prison bars to popcorn stars, this week’s guest on The UpLevel Podcast, Emily O'Brien, defies the odds as she turns her addictive past into a recipe for success, fighting to eliminate stigma and create second chances through her social enterprise, Comeback Snacks.

Emily is an embodiment of transformative potential and entrepreneurship. Her trajectory is a heartfelt tale of courage and diligence. While in prison, she discovered an innovative take on popcorn seasoning, sowing the seeds of Comeback Snacks. 

Nurturing her project through handwritten letters and personal connections, Emily's enterprise grew and blossomed. Today, her popcorn business is revolutionizing attitudes towards people with prior convictions, demonstrating how adversity can be molded into significant opportunities. Emily's dedication to fostering change through her actions, mentorship, and advocacy for prison reform sets her apart.

In this episode, you’ll be able to:

• Discover the powerful journey of overcoming addiction while establishing a successful social enterprise.
• Dive into the inspiring stories of providing second chances and job opportunities for ex-convicts.
• Understand the sensitive language used around incarceration and rehabilitation for a more empathetic approach.
• Uncover the secrets of creating more inclusive and compassionate work environments.
• Learn about empowering entrepreneurship and spurring economic growth for those with criminal records.

About Emily:

Battling back from addiction and a Federal sentence for drug smuggling to building a booming social enterprise, Comeback Snacks, Emily O’Brien’s evolution from convict to entrepreneur is a story about lessons learned, resilience, determination, forgiveness, and how to take a bad situation and turn it into endless positive opportunities.

Emily, while in prison, with no budget and no access to the internet, began developing Comeback Snacks (Cons & Kernels) after being inspired by the unique seasonings her fellow inmates used on their popcorn. Her entrepreneurial spirit has always been strong, having founded a social media business after University. Using hand-written letters sent via mail, Emily communicated with people who would assist her with market research, branding, and guidance.  After her release, she hit the ground running, building her enterprise by offering her popcorn at festivals, shows, and events and networking with local business owners.

Comeback Snacks is now available at major grocers, independent stores, and online retailers across North America and a new retail location at 302 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ontario, Canada which also serves as a story-telling micro museum of her journey.

Emily uses her business and her voice to advocate for prison reforms and to eliminate the stigma attached to people with prior convictions. She provides ex-convicts and those needing a second chance, employment, mentorship, and a pathway to greater confidence and new opportunities. Emily works with a number of organizations, including the Elizabeth Fry Society, a not-for-profit social service agency that provides support for women and girls involved in the Canadian justice system. She has also raised funds through her business to support great causes like The Yonge Street Miss

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In a world filled with societal expectations and limitations, TaShenna Braxton's story is a testament to resilience and the power of choice. She’s making a tangible difference in modern workplaces. 

Do you want to create a workplace culture where diversity thrives, inclusion is at the core, and employees feel empowered? Does this sound familiar? You've been told to implement diversity and inclusion initiatives, but you're not seeing the desired results in your workplace. The pain of ineffective actions leaves you yearning for a more holistic approach that fosters a diverse, inclusive, and thriving organizational culture. In this episode, TaShenna will share her solution to help you achieve this transformative outcome.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover why infusing humanity into your workplace is crucial for enhancing connectivity and productivity.
• Understand the significance of adopting a holistic approach to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in an organization.
• Leverage rich insights from Enneagram and Leadership Circle Profile tools for your personal advancement.
• Learn to harmonize your feminine and masculine energy for effective leadership growth.
• Explore practical ways to combat imposter syndrome and create an environment where everyone feels they belong.

About TaSheena:

TaSheena Braxton is a native San Franciscan residing with her partner, four children, and puppy, Coco. TaSheena currently serves as an internal coach for a prominent Biotech company where her role as an Executive & Team Coach revolves around driving Team Development & Design and achieving the organization's most impactful business goals.

With a deep-rooted passion for coaching, mentorship, and empowering women leaders, TaSheena brings a unique perspective to her work. She firmly believes in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels and strives to create a thriving organizational culture where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging. Through her coaching, she focuses on developing women of color leaders, guiding them toward leadership opportunities, promotions, high-visibility projects, and overall career advancement. TaSheena's expertise lies in helping these individuals overcome imposter syndrome and redefine their identities as confident and successful leaders.

TaSheena holds a Master's in Organization Development from the prestigious University of San Francisco, which has equipped her with a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and effective strategies for growth and development. Additionally, she is a certified coach from the world-renowned Co-Active Training Institute and CRR Global's ORSC program, further enhancing her coaching skills and expertise. She is also an Accredited Enneagram facilitator and Leadership Circle Profile Practitioner, enabling her to bring a holistic and comprehensive approach to her coaching practice.

https://tasheenabraxton.com

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Meet Tawney Hughes, a resilient leader deeply committed to human-centered workplaces. Her belief that relationships shape life has led her to work with individuals, organizations, and teams to facilitate courageous conversations and foster a sense of purpose. Tawney isn't new to this field; she leads a prominent tech company's internal one-on-one coaching program and, since 2014, has facilitated programs for over 20,000 of its employees worldwide. From California to Dublin, her influence has spanned continents. Furthermore, Tawney is an Enneagram certified practitioner, a certified Co-Active professional coach, and a certified organization and relationship systems coach, making her a powerhouse of knowledge and experience.

In this week's episode of The UpLevel Podcast, Tawney is sharing her wisdom with us. She will provide practical solutions to cultivate a work culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and appreciated, regardless of age.  

If you want to create an inclusive and harmonious workplace environment that fosters growth and connection among all generations, listen to this episode as we explore how to build bridges and foster meaningful connections among generational differences, ultimately leading to a more collaborative and thriving workplace.

In this episode:

• Discover the transformative power of blending humaneness into traditional office environments and seeing its effect on productivity and rapport.
• See remarkable insights into generational divisions within the workplace and how finding common ground can enhance overall functionality.
• Probe further into the revolutionary intersection of technology, particularly AI, and humanity for creating a more effective workplace.
• Understand the impetus of nurturing the connection with nature to creatively introduce empathy into your teams.
• Realize the liberating outcomes when failing is seen as a stepping stone, accelerating the learning curve in professional settings.

Tawney is committed to creating a more human-centered world. She believes the quality of our

relationships determines the quality of our life. Tawney works with individuals, teams, couples, and organizations to have courageous conversations to find purpose in work, alignment in relationships with others and nature, and resonance in one’s relationship with self. She is a Certified Co-Active Professional Coach, Certified Organization and Relationship Systems Coach, and Enneagram Certified Practitioner.

Tawney has worked inside Google’s Learning and Development team since 2014 and currently leads their internal 1:1 coaching program. In her tenure, she has facilitated programs for over 20,000 Google employees throughout the world, including North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa. In her time with Google, she’s been based in the Google Headquarters in California, Madrid, Dublin, and London and now works remotely in her hometown of Missoula, Montana. Tawney works with startups, individuals, and large companies designing and facilitating management and leadership training, well-being programs, and more.

Tawney is also a certified yoga and pilates instructor and finds joy in bringing mindfulness, vitality, and well-being into her work.

Connect with Tawney: https://www.

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Artie Gonzales is a survivor, a reformed individual, and a role model for those seeking redemption and personal growth. Having experienced the harsh reality of the justice system at a young age, Artie turned his life around during his 21 years of incarceration in the California prison system. He has since emerged as an advocate for legislative reforms, a member of social justice organizations, and a campaigner for empathy and humanity in the workplace. Artie's incredible journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and the value of looking beyond our own prejudices to understand and empathize with those facing great adversity.

We found it important to include Artie in our Humanity in the Workplace season because recognizing the humanity of every worker and fostering an environment of empathy and understanding is essential for creating a thriving organization. By embracing inclusivity and valuing each individual's unique perspectives, businesses can develop a more well-rounded decision-making process, increase workforce satisfaction, and ultimately achieve better results. 

Artie Gonzales's experiences with Manifest Works, a program that trains system-impacted individuals for positions in the film industry, showcases the power of humanizing the workplace. He credits the program for helping him transition back into society, praising their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Artie's story highlights the potential of a compassionate and inclusive workplace to transform lives and create opportunities for personal and professional growth.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The value of a strong emotional wellness foundation for personal and professional growth
• The key role of social connections and the consequences of isolation on our emotional state
• The human stories intertwined within the justice system
• Key leadership skills that promote humanity and empathy in a work environment
• Leveraging empathetic, compassionate, and heart-centered leadership for a unified mission and vision

About Artie:

Artie Gonzales was tried as an adult at the age of sixteen. He went on to spend twenty-one years of a Life sentence in the California prison system, eight of which included housing within a supermax Solitary Confinement unit. Here, he evolved past his surroundings, committing himself to rehabilitation and non-violence. 

Released as a model prisoner in 2015, he has become a leader in his community, an advocate for legislative reforms, and a member of several social justice organizations.  After graduating from a Hollywood-oriented workforce development program, ManifestWorks (of which he currently sits on the Board of Directors), he rose through the ranks and made a lifelong dream a reality. He currently works in the TV and Feature Film world.

https://www.artiegonzales.com

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Come and be a part of UpLevel's summer series, "Bringing Humanity into the Workplace." We will be exploring the importance of this topic and gaining valuable insights through discussions with colleagues, friends, and clients. Every Wednesday for the next two months, join us to learn how to incorporate humanity into your organization.

To unlock the potential within each individual means more than just acknowledging their skills and abilities. It involves exploring their aspirations, dreams, and untapped talent. It means nurturing their growth and providing them with the necessary tools and support to reach new heights.

Investing in coaching is an investment in your team. As a leader, taking the time to understand your team, and providing guidance and support to overcome obstacles, creates an environment where vulnerability is embraced and mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth. 

As employees are supported and encouraged through coaching, something magical happens. They begin to break through the limitations they once believed defined them. They start discovering hidden strengths and talents they didn't even know they possessed. They build resilience and learn to navigate challenges with confidence.

Join Rachel Baldi and Christie Mann in this episode of The UpLevel Podcast as they delve into their mission of Bringing Humanity into the Workplace and the life-changing effects of coaching. 

Through inspiring stories of individuals and organizations, they encourage us to recognize the untapped potential in ourselves and those around us. 

UpLevel's goal is to promote workplaces that celebrate the unique humanity of every individual. 

We hope you'll listen in so you can learn how you can uplevel your own workplace.

In this episode:

• Best practices to help organizations humanize their workplace
• Methods to help organizations establish an effective coaching culture in their workplace
• Real-life examples of companies with thriving coaching cultures
• Delve into the connection between coaching and unleashing employee potential
• Discover the value of workplace well-being and its impact on employees and organizations
• The critical role coaching cultures play in modern organizations
• Insights on building a results-driven coaching culture at work
• How coaching can be the key to unlocking workplace potential
• The importance of fostering well-being in the workplace and its effects on overall success

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Chrissy Bernal's road to promoting her children's books was filled with costly mistakes and bad advice. But it led her to discover the importance of building a solid foundation for book promotion. Through her own struggles and triumphs, she learned the value of clear messaging, author branding, and community building. Now, she shares her hard-earned wisdom to guide aspiring authors on their own path to success. Are you ready to avoid the same pitfalls and achieve your dreams of publishing a socially conscious book? Join us on this journey of empowerment and discover the power of a strong foundation for book promotion.

In this episode, you will:

• Discover innovative book marketing and publicity tactics to boost your success.
• Learn the significance of a solid foundation for promoting your literary works.
• Uncover the art of crafting a clear and captivating book message and author brand.
• Find out the secrets to building and engaging with an enthusiastic book community.
• Gain invaluable tips for effective book publicity, catering to journalists, and leveraging podcast giveaways.

Chrissy Bernal is a published author and branding expert, passionate about helping authors create a solid foundation to promote their books effectively. From building a captivating author brand, developing strategic marketing plans, and using strategic PR, Chrissy empowers authors to reach their goals with purpose and intention. Her experience stems from her own journey as an author, during which she faced numerous challenges and learned valuable lessons about branding, marketing, and PR. Through this journey, Chrissy has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to create a successful book promotion strategy and enjoys sharing her wisdom with like-minded authors.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

• Get clear on your messaging and purpose before starting any marketing or public relations efforts.
• Use the Story Brand framework to help hone your messaging and shift your focus to your audience's transformation rather than yourself.
• Ensure continuity in your author brand across all platforms, including your website, social media, and author pages on Amazon and other retailers.
• Claim your author pages on Amazon and other retailers to showcase your bio, picture, and book information.
• Create a call to action on your website and social media profiles to drive traffic to your book sales page or email newsletter sign-up.
• Utilize book bloggers and reviewers to get your book in the hands of readers and increase visibility.
• Partner with other authors or organizations in your genre or topic to cross-promote your books and reach new audiences.
• Attend book festivals, conferences, and other events in your industry to network and promote your book.
• Offer a free sample or preview of your book to entice readers to purchase the full version.
• Encourage readers to leave reviews on your book's sales page and social media profiles to increase social proof and credibility.

You can find Chrissy here:
www.beabetterbrand.com
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