By Beverly Williams
5
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The podcast currently has 97 episodes available.
On today’s podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Robert Ramirez, a professor, investment and business expert, and someone who transformed personal and financial hardship into an inspiring success story. Dr. Ramirez faced a turning point after the 2008 financial crisis when he nearly lost everything. Instead of letting it defeat him, he found a way to rebuild, and now he helps others achieve financial freedom.
I first encountered Dr. Ramirez on a webinar and was immediately struck by his story. It reminded me of the struggles I witnessed in 2008, and I knew his message would resonate with many of you. His experiences are not just about overcoming financial hardship, but about adapting, growing, and turning challenges into opportunities.
In our conversation, Dr. Ramirez shared valuable insights into rebuilding after financial disaster. He emphasized the importance of having a positive mindset, adding value to everything you do, and building multiple income streams. He talks about how he had to learn new skills to make himself marketable again after losing his job as a director of IT in 2008. Instead of relying on one source of income, he found ways to diversify and build passive income, which has now become one of his key strategies for achieving financial freedom.
Here are some of the key takeaways from our conversation:
The Power of a Positive Mindset
Dr. Ramirez emphasized the importance of staying positive, even in tough situations. He shared how his positive outlook helped him move forward after losing his job and home, focusing on how things could improve rather than being consumed by his losses.
"It all comes in with one, having a positive mindset—knowing that things will get better, that the cup is half full and not half empty."
Investing in Yourself and Adding Value
One of the most powerful lessons Dr. Ramirez shared was the need to continuously add value—not just in your work but in every interaction and relationship. He spoke about the importance of learning new skills to stay relevant, something he had to do when he found himself out of work and needed to update his technical skills.
“I had to rebuild my skills... we have so many tools available to learn skills, and we can teach ourselves these skills.”
Building Financial Resilience
After his experience in 2008, Dr. Ramirez vowed never to rely on just one income stream again. He explained how building multiple sources of income, including passive income streams, helped him regain his financial footing. His current work focuses on helping others do the same by teaching them about financial intelligence, debt management, and investment strategies.
Dr. Ramirez's story is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. He now teaches these lessons in his book Achieving Financial Freedom, here he outlines steps to build wealth through passive income and financial intelligence. He’s also working on a new book about the retirement crisis, highlighting the importance of financial preparedness for the long haul.
If you’re someone who has experienced financial difficulties or is looking to diversify your income, this episode is full of actionable advice and motivation. Dr. Ramirez’s story reminds us that setbacks are part of life, but it’s how we respond to them that defines our future success.
I encourage you to tune in to the full episode to hear Dr. Ramirez's inspiring story and learn how you too can start building financial freedom today!
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I’m an educated, professional woman who also considers herself well informed. It pains me to admit however that upon reconsideration, I am not as well-informed as I thought.
Until recently, I believed that voting is a right, indeed a fundamental right. I’m embarrassed to admit I was wrong.
As an American and an attorney, I am aware that at one time only white men were entitled to vote. In the 21st century, admittedly in my ignorance, and because we live in a democracy I believed that all Americans have the right to vote.
I violated one of my cardinal rules, take nothing for granted. I took it for granted that people of color, women, and individuals who are 18 years old, all of whom do not have non-discriminatory legal grounds for withholding their voting privilege, would be entitled to vote.
I knew about gerrymandering and redistricting, and enacting legislation and rules that imposed limitations on things like giving someone water while they were in line to vote.
Silly me, I believed that unreasonable or discriminatory limitations would be struck down by courts. Unfortunately, the integrity of jurists and our courts at all levels have been tainted by the appearance of impropriety and bias.
A 2019 article by the Carnegie Corporation of New York notes that “[c]hallenges to voting rights in this country, like the ones we’ve seen recently, are hardly a 21st century invention. Entrenched groups have long tried to keep the vote out of the hands of the less powerful.
That’s it! It’s about power. We all have it. If voting is important, and each individual’s vote is particularly important, why is gerrymandering and redistricting be a “thing?” Why are there efforts to suppress voting?
In a few short weeks, on November 5, 2024, Americans will have the privilege, if not the right to cast their ballot for the candidates of their choice, including President of the United States. Take the time to learn which candidates advocate policies that will serve you.
Do you want to raise a family or start a business? Do you have healthcare coverage now? Is there a chance that it will go away? Do you have benefits that were bargained for by a union? Do you live in a state that may need federal assistance if there is a disaster? A hurricane, fire or other natural disaster.
Don’t listen to the uninformed. Go to reliable websites that set forth each candidate’s position, then vote your interest.
I interviewed my long-time friend Wade Henderson, former CEO and President of the Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights. Please treat yourself and listen to that podcast. His interview, Understanding the Civil Rights Movement” was posted on September 28, 2020, and is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and my website, Your Employment Matters.
As a young man, Wade experienced an act of discrimination that solidified his commitment and mindset and directed his path forward. Others may have become embittered and checked out by not voting or otherwise not disengaging.
By comparison, Wade devoted his life’s work in service to promoting civil rights and human rights.
Please take a page from Wade Henderson’s playbook. If life gives you lemons, use those lemons to make lemonade or another beverage, meal or dessert of your choice. Take the bitterness out of life and move forward with purpose.
Never take anything, especially hard-fought rights or privileges, for granted. You only have them until someone takes them away from you. Be vigilant. Remain informed, usually by accessing reliable sources. If you’re unsure, view several different media outlets that offer different views and accounts.
Remember that facts should be accurate. Interpretation of facts is opinion.
In the words of former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (Dem.NY)— 'You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.
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In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams engages in a compelling discussion with Stephen Kurkjian about the evolving landscape of journalism, the resurgence of unionism, and the enduring mystery of the Gardner Museum art heist. Prepare for an insightful conversation that delves into the intricacies of journalistic integrity, First Amendment responsibilities, and the transformative power of art.
Stephen is a highly respected investigative journalist, best known for his extensive career at the Boston Globe where he was a founding member of the Spotlight Team. With a career spanning several decades, he’s won three Pulitzer Prizes and became an authority on investigative journalism, contributing significantly to the field through his in-depth reporting and dedication to uncovering the truth. One of the most notable investigations he continues to pursue is the Gardner Museum art heist, a case that has intrigued and baffled the world for over three decades.
Stephen’s journey in journalism began with a college newspaper where he loved the interactions he had with people, who were for that moment in time, at the pinnacle of their lives. From his experience in journalism, other relevant and significant topics are covered, such as:
Don't miss this episode where you’ll discover valuable lessons on journalism, the power of art, and the enduring pursuit of truth.
Connect with Stephen Kurkjian:
Website
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Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success
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In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly dives deep into the art of negotiation with Cindy Watson, Esq, and together, they share invaluable insights that challenge traditional beliefs about law, negotiations, and the workplace.
Cindy is a highly sought-after international speaker, negotiation expert, social justice attorney, coach, and founder of Women on Purpose. She’s also the author of “The Art of Feminine
Negotiation: How to Get What You Want from the Boardroom to the Bedroom.” Cindy is known for her advocacy of integrating empathy, collaboration, and resilience into negotiation techniques, making her voice stand out in her field. She brings over 30 years of experience in social justice law and a passion for reshaping how we perceive negotiation and leadership.
“All of life is a negotiation and yet we are duped into believing that the only path to success is this very competitive toughness, take no prisoners kind of approach.” - Cindy Watson, Esq.
Key insights:
This episode explores the necessity of cultivating critical thinking, survival skills, and the ability to handle failures in this time of technological advancements and AI as well as how to be able to think and problem solve even without using technology. The discussions on gender dynamics and negotiation also highlight the evolving leadership landscape and explore the importance of
collaborative problem-solving and inclusive decision-making.
Connect with Cindy:
Website
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly Williams’ book: Your GPS to Employment Success
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This episode of Your Employment Matters tackles two important topics in employment: finding the right job and building the right team, and how one’s role and co-workers have a significant impact on work experience.
Today’s guest, Betty Thorne Tierney, is Vice President and the Associate General Counsel for a large retail chain in the Southern US. She spent the last 31 years in retail, actively litigating all types of cases nationwide as first chair. Since 2012, she’s led an in-house trial team of attorneys, paralegals, and admins.
“It's not always easy to recognize an opportunity if it's something that you didn't envision for yourself.” - Beverly Williams
Betty never envisioned herself in management, leading an in-house litigation team. But when the opportunity came, she took the time to decide, had conversations with her spouse, her boss, and took a chance. This turned out to be the best decision for her career. In this role, she learned how to manage different roles, different personalities, and work in different settings to do the best work—as a team—for the company.
Key topics discussed in this episode include:
“When looking for a new job, make sure you research, know what's expected, and see it meets your goals and abilities. That is the best thing you can do for yourself.” - Betty Thorne Tierney
Beverly and Betty also talked about the right fit between the employee, the job, the company, and the team. Before anyone takes on a role, they need to make sure that the values, nature of work, and all other job details align with their goals. This isn’t just for the benefit of the company, but also for the employee. It helps make sure that when they start working, they won’t feel burdened, misunderstood, or even underperform.
It’s the job of the leader to develop the team. However, it’s the employee's responsibility to develop skills and character and provide value to the company.
Connect with Betty Thorne Tierney:
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success
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In this episode of Your Employment Matters, we continue the series on labor management. This topic is much needed after the years of decline in union membership, the changes in the workplace after the pandemic, and the great resignation. There is now a cautious optimism about a resurgence of unionism.
Our guest today is Stuart Davidson, Esq. He’s currently a partner at Willig, Williams & Davidson where he represents public and private benefit funds, fighting to preserve the ability of workers to retire with dignity and have access to affordable health care. His work for unions includes leading contract negotiations, presenting interest and grievance arbitrations and advising on external and internal union matters.
“It takes a monumental effort to successfully organize workers.” - Stuart Davidson
While Stuart was in college, he was challenged by his great uncle to get to know and work with the working-class people of America, so he worked as a Union Organizer in North Carolina in the 1970s. Besides the social and economic aspects inhibiting union organization, he saw that lawyers dominated the field and denied workers the opportunity to build a better future. From there, he decided to attend law school and become a union lawyer. He’s been representing unions and workers for 42 years.
Key topics discussed:
“I believe that labor is a failed process.” - Stuart Davidson
The workplace and labor laws need to change so that employees will get paid fairly, get the benefits they deserve, and have a healthy working environment. This conversation between Beverly and Stuart has conflicting perspectives, new insights, and much-needed knowledge for anyone who wants to know the benefits of being a part of a union.
Connect with Stuart Davidson
Website
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success
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Right now, the workplace has five different generations of employees, and such a diverse environment comes its set of benefits and challenges. This can be a tricky situation to navigate. If managed right, it can foster a group that’s working cohesively together and a business that’s constantly innovating and growing. When not handled well, it can lead to underappreciated employees, unqualified managers, and tense disagreements. To talk about how he handles these situations in his business, we’re joined by Terry M. Isner.
Terry is an experienced marketer and creative communicator with nearly three decades of expertise. He shares insights from his journey as the owner and CEO of Jaffee, a virtual agency specializing in legal PR and marketing. His focus on human dynamics and empathy in business has led to transformative leadership styles and improved productivity within his agency.
Some topics Terry discusses include:
“All we can do is try and be open. And that's exactly how this is going to work.” - Terry M. Isner
This insightful conversation between Terry and Beverly gives practical advice and new perspectives on how businesses can navigate the complexities of the constantly evolving workplace and foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and innovation.
Connect with Terry M. Isner:
Website
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success
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In this episode of Your Employment Matters, Beverly Williams welcomes a very special guest, Mr. Richard Hooker Jr., a union leader, and officer. Together, they discuss the importance of collaborative negotiation in employment disputes, particularly in today’s post-COVID world.
As the Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 623, Richard is responsible for its 4,500 members. He makes sure that they receive protection, fair pay and good work conditions. His goals are to change the mindset of management and employees and to bring dignity and respect back in the workplace.
“We just went through one of the most difficult times of our history, and America had to depend on its workers to make it through.” - Richard Hooker Jr.
Some of the issues in today’s workplace discussed are:
During the pandemic, the world realized how vital laborers are to keeping society running, and how they deserve fair contracts and compensation. When employees don’t have a highly specialized or in-demand skill, they aren’t in a position to make demands or have job security, because they can be easily replaced. This is why Richard is advocating for Unions, so workers can have the protection they need.
The employer-employee relationship is still a relationship. Both sides have their expectations, needs, and non-negotiables. There has to be a balance, a way to reach win-win situations without great losses. This episode explores why this balance is necessary, yet tricky to reach.
Connect with Richard Hooker Jr.:
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly’s book: Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job Your-GPS-Employment-Success
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The court has been the place to settle all manners of disputes in family matters, estate dealings, and even employment issues. But taking things to court is expensive, time-consuming, and emotionally exhausting. In this episode, Beverly Williams is joined by esteemed attorney Marcia Werner to introduce us to the world of collaborative law and how it can be a better way to handle legal disagreements, even in labor management relations.
Marcia is an accomplished attorney with over 45 years of experience in family law, employment law, and other legal specializations. Her passion for helping others and her dedication to promoting constructive dialogue gives a different take in the legal world. With her wealth of knowledge and commitment to promoting a better way to resolve legal disputes, she brings a new perspective to the table.
“If your mind is telling you that you've been wronged, then you may fight to the end to try to vindicate your position.”-Marcia Werner
Marcia introduces us to collaborative law, an alternative dispute resolution for legal matters where each party hires a lawyer along with other professionals, such as financial experts or mental health professionals to negotiate an agreement without ever going to court. This is more commonly practiced in estate disputes, divorce, and family law, but today we’ll explore how this can be used in employment issues. With the rising number of calls for unionization, strikes, and changes in the employment world, perhaps now is the time to bring in collaborative law.
Marcia also talks about:
This episode provides fresh optimism and the knowledge that there are avenues for conflict resolution other than court.
Connect with Marcia Werner:
Website
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly’s book: Your GPS to Employment Success:
How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job Your-GPS-Employment-Success
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Join host Beverly Williams in this episode of Your Employment Matters as she delves into the dynamic world of labor-management relations and shares invaluable career strategies to empower listeners in their job search journey. With insightful commentary and practical advice, Beverly explores key developments shaping the employment landscape and offers actionable insights for success.
Beverly draws upon her extensive expertise in employment matters to guide listeners through the intricacies of labor management relations and effective career strategies. With years of experience as an author and advocate for employment success, Beverly brings a wealth of knowledge, offering invaluable insights for navigating today's competitive job market.
“You want to convey the message that ‘I am a professional.’” – Beverly Williams
Key insights shared in this episode are:
Beverly also emphasizes the importance of gratitude, preparation, and perseverance while looking for a job. It’s more than your qualifications and experience that will get you your dream job.
Leaving a review of this podcast is encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Check out Beverly Williams book: Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job Your-GPS-Employment-Success
Learn more about your ad choices, visit megaphone.fm/adchoices.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The podcast currently has 97 episodes available.