TrailBlazers Impact

When you hear “Bing Bing!” or “Let’s Take a Breath,”  you know you are at a Caterina Rand event. Women flock to her knowledge, skills, and fun-loving nature. Caterina Rando is a sought-after speaker, best-selling author, podcaster, magazine publisher, and philanthropist. She shows women how to thrive in business, how to recognize their leadership abilities, and how to be loud and proud about the value they bring. In this episode, Caterina talks about her passion for helping women thrive in business and build communities to serve others.

Listen in to learn why Caterina considers public speaking the primary “instant influence” to gain attention in your market and a great method of growing your business. You will also learn the importance of mastering self-care as a business pillar, so you’re in the right space to serve others.

Key Takeaways:

• How to create a criterion for picking a coach who has the same values as you
• How to create an entrepreneurial lifestyle that works for your whole life
• How to grow your business by being an audience-centric public speaker
• Why your talk topic should match the services you’re offering
• How to master self-care as a business pillar, so you’re in the right space to serve others

Beth Van Zant used her power to recreate her life after retirement. She changed her life in a radical way to make the life she wanted. But what a challenging life! Can you imagine being a human resources director of people from all over the world? Crew ship staff are on contracts with a specific length. As human resources director, Beth has unique challenges when compared to other HR directors! She began at sea on Radiance on the Seas in 2015 after being an avid cruiser. After retiring from American Airlines after almost 30 years, she decided to work at sea where she joined Azamara in 2016.

In this episode, Beth talks about how her career transitioning from Human Resources for American Airlines to Azamara and how it impacted her.

Listen in to learn how to hard times and adversities shape you to become a stronger person. You will also learn why it’s never too late to make changes in your life that make you happy.

Key Takeaways:

• How to choose a career path that makes you feel fulfilled
• How misfortunes and difficult situations drive you to appreciate the strength you gain from them
• Don’t be afraid to change your career or life and do what makes you happy

Master Captain Carl Smith started his sea-going career in 1989 with Shell oil tankers as a deck cadet. His apprenticeship lasted for three and a half years and consisted of 4 contracts at sea and 2 full college years. he continued to work in various cargo ships until he had sailed several years in the role of the chief officer, which is second in command.  He became a master of Azamara pursuit in March 2018. In this episode, Carl describes his career journey at sea, which started decades ago, and the milestones he’s made.

Listen in to learn the role of a cruise ship’s chief officer and what it takes for him to ensure everything is running smoothly. You will also learn how Carl used his bad experience with his first-ever captain to become the best boss to those who look up to him.

Key Takeaways:

• How to use a bad experience as a serving lesson for you to be better in the future
• How to take personal responsibility for conserving the environment

Robert D’sa is dedicated and diligent, as are most of the staff, working on a cruise ship. For many, this career requires being away from home for nine months at a time.

Robert D'sa is a butler on the Azamara Quest cruise ship. He’s been working with Azamara since 2009 and has worked in many positions before getting to his current position as butler. In this episode, Robert shares how he rose through different job ranks to be in his current butler position.

Listen in to learn about the role of a butler on a cruise ship and how they’re mandated to serve the guests. You will also learn the importance of being hard-working, passionate, and dedicated to success in any career path.

Key Takeaways:

• How to stay motivated by being passionate and dedicated to your job
• The importance of advanced preparation and planning for efficient performance
• Job duties in the role of a Butler on a cruise ship

What does it take to navigate a cruise ship through the high seas and ensure the safety of everyone onboard? Captain Jonas Lyddby of the Azamara Quest cruise ship shares his experience and his sea career journey. Jonas Lyddby is the captain of the Azamara Quest cruise ship. He has been working with Azamara since 2008; he had earlier worked with cargo ships before shifting to passenger ships. In this episode, he talks about his career journey and experience working with different types of ships over the cause of his career.

Listen in to learn about the role of a cruise ship captain navigating through the high seas and as the leader of the ship’s crew. You will also learn the qualities you need to develop to have a successful career as a crew member working on a cruise ship.

Key Takeaways:

• Why you shouldn’t let age or past choices stop you from going after dreams
• The importance of letting go of prejudice and being open-minded when looking to work at sea
• Have determination, skills, open-mind, and willingness to learn to have a successful career
• Why you should live your dream but also do the right thing

What does it look like to shift your life and career without fear again and again? Nada Vujicic, the guest relations manager at the Azamara Quest cruise ship, talks about her life and career shifts and how those experiences have changed her. Nada Vujicic is the guest relations manager at the Azamara Quest cruise ship. She started her career journey at sea in 2009 and worked in many positions before getting to where she is now. In this episode, she shares her career journey from working in a cruise ship spa to becoming a guest relations manager.

Listen in to learn about the role of a cruise ship’s guest relations manager and how to navigate the challenges that come with it. You will also learn why you shouldn’t be scared to make a career shift at any age if you desire to experience change in your life.

Key Takeaways:

• Insight into a career at sea
• Why you shouldn’t shy away from shifting your career if you want to experience new things
• The importance of starting from the bottom to the top to grow your career

Have you ever wondered how a manager who started at the bottom and worked their way up did it? Oleksandr Brotsman, who is a food and beverage manager at Azamara Quest cruise talks to us about how he worked his way up in his career. He also talks about his experience at sea and why he would do it again and again.

Oleksandr Brotsman (Alex) is a food and beverage manager at the Azamara Quest cruise ship. His job involves supervising the whole operation, from food storing, cooking, serving, and disposing. In this episode, Alex describes his longtime career journey working at sea and his experience.

Listen in to learn how the pandemic affected the food and beverage industry, especially those working at sea. You will also learn the benefits of starting from the bottom and working your way up in any workspace environment.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of starting from the bottom and working your way up
• Why you shouldn’t hesitate to pursue a career in a cruise ship if you genuinely desire it
• The importance of being a people person if you want to pursue a career on a cruise ship

How would you like to be a Cruise Director on a cruise ship going all over the world? I interviewed Amanda Poulson who is on the Azamara Quest cruise ship. I was amazed to find out everything a cruise director is responsible for! I thought maybe it would just be making the announcements each day and yes, she does have a green screen right in her office, but it’s much more! And I found out that most Cruise Directors have been performers. Join us in this lively conversation about cruising around the world and how she found her new love – and husband.

Amanda Poulson is the cruise director of the Azamara Quest cruise ship and has been in musical productions since the age of 10. In this episode, she talks about her background in musical productions and theater and her experience as a working performer on board a cruise ship.

Listen in to learn why having the right support system can help you overcome your fears and find success in whatever you were afraid of. You will also learn the power of celebrating our differences to make the world a better and harmonious place.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of having the right support to help you overcome your fears and succeed
• Why you need to have real-world skills when going for a job at sea
• How we can make the world a better place by figuring out how to look past our differences

Danijel Spoljar is the assistant manager of the dining room and in charge of the specialty premiere restaurants on board the Azamara Quest cruise line.  He has been with Azamara since 2007. In this episode, Danijel describes his childhood, his inspiration to make a career sailing, and his experience working with Azamara.

Listen in to learn about Danijel’s background and his career experience working on cruise ships for decades. You will also hear what it takes to manage both the crew and guests, especially on matters of dining on a small cruise ship.

Key Takeaways:

• The responsibilities of a dining room assistant manager on a small cruise ship
• What it takes to manage both the crew and guests on a cruise ship
• The importance of being passionate about your job to reduce the stress that comes with it
• Have knowledge, be hard-working, and ethical to succeed as a cruise ship crew member

How many people can enjoy following the same career path they envisioned for themselves as children? Antonio Toledo always dreamed of becoming a captain, and that is exactly what he does now. He talks to us about his journey, his role, and his experience as Azamara Pursuit’s captain. Master Captain Antonio Toledo is the captain of the Azamara Pursuit cruise ship and has sailed all over the world. He has a master’s degree in navigation and maritime transport and has always had the dream of becoming a ship’s captain since he was a child. In this episode, Captain Toledo talks about his childhood, sailing career background, and his role as Azamara Pursuit’s Master Captain. Listen in to learn the qualifications of a ship’s captain and an idea of what it looks like to experience a once-in-a-lifetime sailing expedition, replicating Christopher Columbus’s voyage. You will also learn the role and duties of a captain as the CEO of the ship, plus some of the challenges he faces onboard. Key Takeaways: Requires dedication, effort, and patience to become captain of a ship How to pursue joy and happiness in your job especially after achieving your goals Why we should embrace diversity and living together in harmony as they do at Azamara