Trust Your Voice

In this episode of Trust Your Voice, host Sylvie Légère engages in a conversation with crisis communication expert Lissa Druss. As the CEO of Strategia Consulting and a highly decorated television journalist, Lissa shares her expertise in steering through crises, a valuable skill for leaders in politics, business, and community organizations. They explore the art of crisis management and provide essential insights into identifying, addressing, and mitigating challenges that could impact one's reputation.

Lissa Druss offers an in-depth exploration of the dynamics of crisis management, beginning with the fundamental question of what constitutes a crisis and how to recognize one. She emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between rumors and genuine issues by relying on gut feelings and informed decision-making. Furthermore, Lissa provides a roadmap for preparing for a crisis, stressing the need to maintain a positive public image through consistent communication and building a network of support. Her advice extends to strategies for responding effectively to media inquiries and managing the narrative to prevent others from defining one's story.

Tune in to the full episode to learn more about practical wisdom on handling crises with confidence and poise. 

Links and Resources:

Strategia Consulting - Lissa Druss's firm specializing in crisis communication. 

The Policy Circle - Organization co-founded by Sylvie Légère focused on engaging women in public policy dialogues. 

About Lissa Druss:

For more than 35 years, Lissa has established a powerful reputation– across the country – as a highly seasoned public affairs strategist, crisis management leader, nine-time Emmy award-winning television journalist, media consultant, guest lecturer, and tireless client advisor. In addition to leading the Strategia team, she counsels clients on issues at the intersection of government affairs and lobbying, crisis communications, municipal relations, media relations/training, corporate communications, internal/external communications strategy, and social media. Lissa is also the national government relations director for Riot Hospitality Group, a national hospitality management company based in Scottsdale, AZ.  

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, hosted by Sylvie Légère, the focus is on educational choice and the challenges faced by homeschooling families in Illinois due to the House Bill 2827. The show brings together Leslee Dirnberger and Aziza Butler, two leaders in the homeschooling community, to discuss the implications of this bill. Leslee and Aziza share their personal journeys in homeschooling and the benefits of individualized education for their neurodiverse children. The conversation emphasizes the flexibility, diversity, and tailored nature of homeschooling as opposed to traditional public schooling. 

The episode delves into the content of House Bill 2827, which mandates homeschooling families in Illinois to register with local school districts and submit curriculum reviews, sparking concerns about increased government oversight and limited parental choice. Utilizing SEO-focused keywords, the discussion highlights key issues such as government overreach, educational innovation, and the constitutional rights of parents. Aziza and Leslee articulate their viewpoints on how the bill might stifle educational innovation and infringe on parental rights, encouraging listeners to engage with legislators to voice opposition. 

About the Guests: 

Leslee Dirnberger is the founder of Aspire Education, a consultancy dedicated to helping families create individualized education plans for their children. As a former homeschooler of four neurodiverse children who are now thriving, Leslee combines her personal experience with her professional expertise to support parents seeking alternative educational paths. 

Aziza Butler is a homeschool mom of six and the founder of We School Academy, a flexible schedule learning community based in Chicago. A former Chicago Public Schools teacher, Aziza is committed to removing barriers for families choosing to homeschool or privately educate their children. Her diverse teaching experience and passion for educational choice make her a leading advocate in her community. 

Resources: 

• Aspire Education: Aspire Education US 

• Illinois Christian Home Educator Association (organization engaged in the bill discussion) 

• Illinois Homeschool Association (organization engaged in the bill discussion) 

• Homeschool Legal Defense Association: A national organization providing updates on homeschooling legislation.

In this episode of "Trust Your Voice," host Sylvie Légère invites Melinda Oakes, to explore a fresh approach to New Year's resolutions. Sylvie discusses her past habit of setting resolutions and words for the year, she dives into how "owning your journey" provides an empowering alternative by highlighting personal growth and success through positive acknowledgment of one's journey, as inspired by Melinda’s book. 

Sylvie and Melinda address setting clear, measurable goals and evaluating risk tolerance regarding career choices. They reflect on examples like Dolly Parton's incremental success, emphasizing the importance of perspective in career planning and life. With a nod to societal changes, they discuss adapting to the rapid pace of innovation and the evolving job market, encouraging listeners to embrace civic engagement and nurture community connections for broader personal and professional impact. 

Key Takeaways: 

Resources Mentioned: 

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, Sylvie and Melinda examine the contexts of personal achievements, leadership roles, and community involvement, advocating for positive communication and emphasizing the importance of lifting others through sincere compliments and acknowledgment. Throughout, they underscore the power of individual influence, stressing that even small actions can spearhead significant changes, thereby igniting a ripple effect of positivity and growth in various spheres of life.

Resources: 

Inspired by the Policy Circle brief on Women and Economic Freedom, this episode navigates through economic models in the intelligence revolution era and explores various dimensions of economic freedom. 

Using examples from global cities and historical contexts, the discussion touches on gender mandates, property rights, and addressing poverty, highlighting research from the Fraser Institute, Bridwell Institute, and insights from "She Rises Up," a film about women entrepreneurs. 

Sylvie and Melinda reflect on systemic challenges and opportunities, offering insights into the roles and responsibilities that individuals and communities can assume to foster a more inclusive economic environment.

Resources mentioned: 

No matter your background or the resources available to you, there are many ways to help empower voters and prepare for the next election. In this episode, host Sylvie Légère is joined by Melinda Oakes to discuss the importance of being informed about candidates and issues that allow for more meaningful decision-making that aligns with your values.  

Tune in and learn how to actively contribute to shaping the future of your community and country. 

Resources mentioned:  

In this episode, host Sylvie Légère and Melinda Oakes, discuss the national debt using The Policy Circle’s brief to examine the current state of the U.S. federal debt, the effects of ongoing deficit spending, and potential reforms. The conversation underscores the importance of financial literacy and the role of informed citizens in holding representatives accountable. Tune in for insights on the national debt and how you can contribute to change.

Interested in learning more? Check out these three helpful websites:

In this episode, host Sylvie Légère and Melinda Oakes, discuss the national debt using The Policy Circle’s brief to  examine the current state of the U.S. federal debt, the effects of ongoing deficit spending, and potential reforms. The conversation underscores the importance of financial literacy and the role of informed citizens in holding representatives accountable. Tune in for insights on the national debt and how you can contribute to change.

Interested in learning more? Check out these three helpful websites:  

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, host Sylvie Légère engages in an enlightening conversation with Melinda Oakes, author of "The Cheerleader's Guide to the Workplace." They discuss the importance of the little things in the workplace and life, and how these small details can have a significant impact. Melinda shares anecdotes from her career and offers practical advice on how to excel by focusing on the details. The conversation also touches on the concept of compound interest as a metaphor for growth and the importance of reflection and active listening in identifying what truly matters. Tune in for insights on resilience, growth, and the power of owning your story.

In this episode, host Sylvie Legere and guest Jennifer-Ruth Green dive deep into the art of effective leadership and team management. Sylvie and Jennifer explore the crucial strategies for developing organizational values, clear communication, and empowering individuals to thrive within their roles. They also unravel the importance of recognizing individual preferences, instilling leadership values from a young age, and balancing affirmation with direction and correction in guiding future leaders. 

Jennifer, a military veteran and author, shares practical insights from her extensive experience, emphasizing the profound impact leaders have on their teams' well-being. From discussing her book "People Don't Quit Their Jobs. They Quit Their Bosses" to touching on her company, Battle Proven Leadership, Jennifer reveals the key characteristics of respected leaders and the foundational principles every leader should embody. 

This episode promises actionable advice for both new and experienced leaders and is a must-listen for anyone dedicated to improving their organizational impact.  

Guest bio

Jennifer-Ruth Green served in the U.S. Air Force and the California Air National Guard, and serves in the Indiana Air National Guard. Green earned a B.S. in foreign area studies (Asia) from the United States Air Force Academy in 2005, a master's degree in ministry from Golden State Baptist College in 2013, and a B.S. in aeronautics/aviation/aerospace science and technology from Liberty University in 2021. Her career experience includes working as the chief information officer with the Indiana Air National Guard, an AFVentures fellow with SecurityScorecard, and the director of the Student Employment Resource Center of Hyles-Anderson College. Green founded and serves as the director of MissionAero Pipeline. 

Amazon: People Don’t Quit Their Jobs, They Quit Their Bosses 

Visit the Battle-Proven Leadership website