Thoughts That Rock

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is the "Apostle of Appreciation", Chester Elton. Chester is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Business Author, Organizational Culture, Employee Engagement and Leadership Expert.

TOPIC: How to Handle Anxiety at Work

GUEST: Chester Elton

THOUGHT #1

Normalize the Conversation Around Mental Health - This Creates Emotional Safety

THOUGHT #2

Destigmatize Anxiety - Know Others' Stories to Help Serve Them

THOUGHT #3

Empathize with Others' State - Let Them Know They are Not Alone

CONNECT:

CHESTER ELTON'S BIO:

Chester Elton is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Business Author, Organizational Culture, Employee Engagement and Leadership Expert.

One of today’s most influential voices in workplace trends, Elton has spent two decades helping clients engage their employees to execute on strategy, vision, and values. In his provocative, inspiring, and always entertaining talks, Elton provides real solutions to leaders looking to build culture, drive innovation, and enhance wellness. Elton’s work is supported by research with more than one million working adults, revealing the proven secrets behind high-performance cultures and teams. 

He has been called the “Apostle of Appreciation” by Canada’s Globe and Mail, “creative and refreshing‚” by the New York Times, and a “must read for modern managers” by CNN. Elton is co-author of the multiple award-winning bestselling leadership books including All In, The Carrot Principle, Leading with Gratitude and Anxiety at Work. His books have been translated in more than 30 languages and have sold more than 1.6 million copies worldwide. Elton is often quoted in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Fast Company and the New York Times. He has appeared on NBC’s Today, CNN, ABC, MSNBC, National Public Radio and CBS’s 60 Minutes. 

In 2022, the Global Gurus research organization ranked him No. 3 among the world’s top leadership experts and No. 3 for organizational culture. He is a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches and is a Thinkers 50 Coaching Award winner. Elton is the co-founder of The Culture Works and a board member of Camp Corral, a non-profit for the children of wounded and fallen military heroes. He serves as a leadership consultant and coach to firms such as American Express, The World Bank, Zoox, Momofuku, and the New Jersey Devils of the NHL. 

He is most proud to be the father of four exceptional children, three delightful grandchildren, and married to the amazing Heidi for 40 years.

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Jude Charles, who is the author of Dramatic Demonstration and an entrepreneur who produces documentaries for visionary CEOs.

TOPIC: How to Storytell to Scale a Business

GUEST: Jude Charles

THOUGHT #1

Write Out Your Core Values

THOUGHT #2

Bring Your Values to Life (in Video Form)

THOUGHT #3

Share Your Story Over and Over Again

CONNECT:

JUDE CHARLES' BIO:

For over 15 years, Jude Charles has been producing documentaries for entrepreneurs. He has produced stories for Google, Steve Harvey, and dozens of visionary CEOs.

Jude is the author of Dramatic Demonstration. This book is a roadmap that teaches you how to dig deep to find compelling stories that no one else knows, and then leverage those stories to grow your business.

Jude’s mission is to lead and empower entrepreneurs to have relentless, unwavering courage.

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Jessy Place, who is a digital content creator, photographer, and influencer marketing specialist...having partnered with 300+ brands to help bring their marketing campaign visions to life. She is also the founder of the influencer community app, Social Collective.

TOPIC: How to Be an Effective Influencer

GUEST: Jessy Place

THOUGHT #1

It's Not About You, It's About Them

THOUGHT #2

Provide Actionable (and Valuable) Content for Your Audience

THOUGHT #3

Create Content the Audience Wants

CONNECT:

JESSY PLACE'S BIO:

Jessy Place is a digital content creator, photographer, and influencer marketing specialist. She’s partnered with 300+ brands including Ralph Lauren, Four Seasons, JC Penney, Anthropologie, & Gordon Ramsey's Restaurants as an influencer to bring their marketing campaign visions to life. 

Jessy was formerly a Social Media Director at a large Boston-based jewelry company, and recently founded an influencer community app called Social Collective (socialcollectiveapp.com). 

Jessy aims to add value and inspiration to her community and knows she wouldn’t be a successful creator without them.  

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Marty Dodson, who is a Nashville-based prolific songwriter with ten #1 hit songs, a partner & co-founder of SongTown.Com and a writer for Sail Away Songs.

TOPIC: How to Write a Hit Song

GUEST: Marty Dodson

THOUGHT #1

Write Something You Care About

THOUGHT #2

Study the Craft of Songwriting

THOUGHT #3

Keep Clear Communication as Job #1

CONNECT:

MARTY DODSON'S BIO:

Marty Dodson was born in Apple Valley, California, and moved around for several years until his family settled in Nashville, TN. Growing up, he was intimidated by the sheer number of people coming to Nashville to become singers or songwriters. So, he went to college and earned a degree in psychology. 

After working ten years as a youth minister, Marty decided to change careers. Trouble was, he didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up. He fumbled around for several years, doing odd jobs and trying to decide on a direction for his life. Finally, a book he read helped him realize that what he REALLY wanted to be was a songwriter. 

He had run into Gordon Payne, a member of the Crickets, while working one of his odd jobs. Gordon helped him re-write one of his songs and demo it in a Nashville studio. Marty was hooked. He threw caution to the wind, quit the other jobs and began writing full-time. 

10 #1 songs and more than 135 cuts later, Marty has become one of the most accomplished writers in Nashville with notable hit singles such as "Fire It Up” by Joe Cocker, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” by Kenny Chesney, “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” and “Let Me Down Easy” by Billy Currington. His songs have been recorded by numerous other artists including: Blake Shelton, George Strait, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, The Plain White T’s, The Oak Ridge Boys, Don Williams, Johnny Reid, Billy Ray Cyrus and Big & Rich. 

Marty’s self-professed “greatest achievement” in his songwriting career to date was knocking artist Psy (“Gangnam Style”) out of the #1 spot in South Korea and winning “Song of the Year” honors for South Korea and all of Asia with his song “Bounce” recorded by Cho Yong Pil. 

Marty currently resides in Nashville TN with his wife Candy. He is a partner and co-founder of SongTown.Com and is a writer for Sail Away Songs.

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Rachel DeAlto, who is a communication and relatability expert, media personality, keynote speaker, and the author of “relatable: How to Connect with Anyone Anywhere (Even if It Scares You)”.

TOPIC: How to Connect with Others at Networking Events

GUEST: Rachel DeAlto

THOUGHT #1

Be Empathetic; Everyone is Awkward

THOUGHT #2

Set a Goal - Manage the Number of People to Meet

THOUGHT #3

Get Curious - Let People Speak More Than You

CONNECT:

RACHEL DEALTO'S BIO:

Rachel DeAlto is a communication and relatability expert, media personality, keynote speaker, and the author of “relatable: How to Connect with Anyone Anywhere (Even if It Scares You)”. Rachel maintains a law degree, a Master’s in psychology, and an influential social media presence.

She has appeared as an expert on Lifetime’s Married at First Sight, TLC’s Kate+Date, and over 200+ national media outlets. Rachel speaks on relationship-building, the power of connection, emotional intelligence and fearless authenticity with her most recent TEDx, Being Authentic in a Filtered World, featured on TED.com.

On a mission to connect people to their most powerful resource—each other—Rachel engages audiences of every size with tactical and practical tools to expand their emotional intelligence, step into their social superpowers, and become fearlessly relatable.

Learn more about Rachel and her refreshing relatability at racheldealto.com.

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Aziph Mustapha, who is the Head of Culture and Engagement at a leading telecommunications group in Malaysia, but also a sought-after keynoter speaker, podcaster and media personality on Malaysian TV.

TOPIC: How to Be Kind to Others Even When They Don't Deserve It

GUEST: Aziph Mustapha

THOUGHT #1

Be Kind to Yourself First

THOUGHT #2

Everyone You Meet is Going Through Somehting

THOUGHT #3

Kindness has Far-Reaching, Unexpected and (Sometimes) Miraculous Consequences

CONNECT:

AZIPH MUSTAPHA'S BIO:

Aziph Mustapha is a 30 year veteran of the corporate world in various industries. He started as an entry level bank employee and rose to become the CEO of Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia (a federal agency developing grassroots innovation), starting up a number of companies in IT and education along the way.

Aziph is a sought after public speaker, having delivered keynotes and presentations on five continents. Aziph is a regular face on Malaysian media, having been on all major TV networks as well as cable TV promoting various initiatives, or invited to give expert opinion on numerous topics. Needless to say, there are countless newspaper and magazine articles featuring him in the Malay, English and Chinese language newspapers and magazines.

A passionate advocate of marginalized groups everywhere, Aziph has volunteered for and sat on boards of several non profits in the areas of gender equality, special needs students, entrepreneur development and religious tolerance. 

His current position as the Head of Culture and Engagement at a leading telecommunications group has called on his experiences in all these fields, in particular his ability to tell a meaningful and memorable story to any crowd which has led him to be invited to deliver keynotes in more than 15 countries.

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week to share 3 thoughts on this topic is Hala Taha, who is the host of the widely successful Young and Profiting Podcast, the CEO of YAP Media and one of the most connected and influential voices on Linked-In.

TOPIC: How to Become Confident in a World of Naysayers

GUEST: Hala Taha

THOUGHT #1

Believe in Yourself

THOUGHT #2

Competence is Confidence 

THOUGHT #3

Engage in Energy Management 

CONNECT:

HALA TAHA'S BIO:

Hala Taha is the host of Young and Profiting Podcast, a Top 50 podcast with over 1.5 million downloads. Hala is the CEO of YAP Media, a full-service podcast production and marketing agency for top podcasters, celebrities and CEOs projected to generate over $1M in revenue in its first year. Hala is also known for her engaged following and influence on Linkedin and she landed the January 2021 cover of Podcast Magazine.

Hala started her career in radio production while in college at HOT97 on “The Angie Martinez Show.” Later she focused on an entrepreneurial endeavor, the launch of an entertainment news blog site, “The Sorority of Hip Hop.” She led an all-female team of 50 bloggers, and together they ran the popular site, interviewed celebrities, produced radio shows, hosted parties/concerts, and nearly snagged a reality TV show on MTV! 

When the blog site boom slowed down in 2014, Hala took a temporary exit from the entertainment industry to get an MBA. She currently has over 8 years of corporate marketing experience at HP and Disney Streaming Services. She started Young and Profiting Podcast and YAP Media as a side hustle, and grew her following primarily by building her personal brand on Linkedin. Hala is an expert on networking, personal branding, Linkedin marketing, side hustles, entrepreneurship and podcasting.

BRAND RESOURCES:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Season 4 Finale episode, we talk with the amazing and revolutionary entrepreneur, KARA GOLDIN, who is the Founder and Former CEO of Hint, Inc...best known for its award-winning Hint water, the leading unsweetened flavored water.

THOUGHT #1

What’s The Worst That Can Happen?

THOUGHT #2

If You Are Not Willing to Risk the Unusual, You Will Have to Settle for the Ordinary 

– Jim Rohn

CONNECT:

BRAND & RESOURCE MENTIONS:

KARA GOLDIN'S BIO:

Kara Goldin is the Founder and Former CEO of Hint, Inc., best known for its award-winning Hint water, the leading unsweetened flavored water.

She has received numerous accolades, including being named Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Northern California and she is one of InStyle’s 2019 Badass 50.

Previously, Kara was VP of Shopping Partnerships at America Online. 

She hosts the podcast The Kara Goldin Show.

Her first book, Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters, was released October 2020 and is now a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Best Seller.

Kara lives in the Bay Area with her family.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk with Lee Wind, who is a celebrated author and the Director of Education and Book Marketing Programs for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), who we know through our company Booky Call.

THOUGHT #1 - The Messenger Matters (So, Our Story Matters)

THOUGHT #2 - It Would Be Too Easy to Say that I Feel Invisible. Instead, I Feel Painfully Visible, and Entirely Ignored (David Levithan)

CONNECT:

RESOURCE MENTIONS:

LEE WIND'S BIO:

As the director of education and programs (book marketing programs) for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Lee loves empowering indie publishers to have their voices heard. 

As an author, he published the crowd-funded young adult novel “Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill” celebrated by Publishers Weekly as an Indie Success Story, and has two books published by IBPA member indie presses; the middle grade nonfiction “No Way, They Were Gay? Hidden Lives and Secret Loves” (Lerner), a Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books Winner and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection; and the picture book “Red and Green and Blue and White” (Levine Querido) which received five starred trade reviews, was called "beautiful" by the New York Times, and was honored as a Sydney Taylor Award Notable Picture Book. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we talk with Gair Maxwell an author, keynote speaker, podcaster, and brand strategist. Gair is considered a global authority on creating iconic, "larger-than-life" brands that attract legions of customers and top talent without having to use "pushy" marketing tactics. 

THOUGHT #1 - Find Your Authentic Swing

THOUGHT #2 - Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world – Joel Barker

CONNECT:

RESOURCES:

GAIR MAXWELL'S BIO:

Gair Maxwell is an author, keynote speaker and brand strategist. Endlessly curious about the origin of legends and myths, he is considered a global authority on the creation of iconic, “larger-than-life” brands that attract legions of customers and top talent – without having to use “pushy” marketing tactics. Some organizations he has worked with have achieved 15-30X financial growth while becoming a much coveted and highly desirable “Category of One”. 

Gair’s riveting keynote presentations and hands-on workshops are packed with real-life stories supported by decades of in-the-trenches business experience. Described as a “shock stick of energy”, Gair delivers electrifying, uplifting presentations – both live and virtual - that inspire everyday people to stand apart from the crowd, unleash their inner greatness and build an enduring legacy. He has worked with some of the world’s most dynamic organizations, including the Apple Specialist Marketing Group, Caterpillar, NAPA, Leo Burnett (Taiwan), Virginia Tech and others, while sharing conference stages with business icons such as Richard Branson and Gene Simmons. 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices