Even as a child, we get nicknames that we carry with us throughout our lives. Behind that moniker is a story, great or not, that ultimately becomes our reputation. Other people may give us the name but the narrative about the label is all up to us. In this episode, the Pitch Whisperer, John Livesay talks about the importance of personal branding and how storytelling plays into making your brand memorable. Whether you’re just about to step out into the hustle and bustle of the workforce, or someone who is already doing the grind, don’t miss out on this chance to learn how you can effectively tell your tale to close that sale. 

Get the first chapter of The Sale Is in the Tale for free! Text “Pitch” to P I T C H 2 6 6 8 6 6.

Talent comes in all forms and sizes. This includes the diversity of the folks we work with and how we express ourselves in how we dress and speak. It takes a great leader to see potential, and a big challenge for a newly promoted leader to effectively lead a team from the moment an employee gets on board to the point of separation. In this episode, Katie Smith, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Credit Union of Southern California, goes in-depth into the challenges leaders face in the workplace and how understanding your workforce and the issues and struggles that impact their work is key to fostering an empowered culture. She talks about the importance of acknowledging generation gaps when screening candidates and managing teams to be inclusive. If you are tasked with the critical role of leading and hiring talent for your company's success and growth, tune in and learn best practices from a Millennial HR leader. 

First-generation leaders face unique challenges and must learn to navigate the workplace while trying to make a difference. Despite the obstacles, first-gen leaders are often natural problem-solvers, and their experiences have usually made them more resilient and resourceful. Our guest for today is Dr. Sonia Maciejewski, a Senior Scientist at a biotechnology company focused on infectious diseases. Dr. Sonia has always been interested in pursuing a career in infectious diseases. She had the opportunity to join the minority biomedical research scholars’ program in college, where she could work part-time as an undergraduate researcher. As a first-gen leader, Dr. Sonia shares what inspired her to pursue life sciences, the challenges in her leadership role, and how she overcame them. With her experience in vaccine development for emerging viruses and current leadership position, Dr. Sonia hopes to continue to help move the science forward for future emerging viruses and pandemics.

How a leader deals with personal adversity can affect the entire organization. On today's show, Dr. Santor Nishizaki chats with someone whose leadership is transforming people's lives. Nelly Cheboi is the CEO & Founder of TechLit Africa, a nonprofit American organization that redistributes recycled technology to build computer labs in African schools. Nelly has even been recognized amongst Forbes 30 under 30 and recently was named a CNN Hero. She is on a mission to help the people in Africa overcome adversity through access to technology and opportunities online. She aims not to provide a band-aid solution but to teach lessons that people can carry to succeed in life. Be inspired by her story and moved by her advocacy by tuning in and finding out how you can help too.

Becoming an influencer is becoming an increasingly coveted career, especially for the younger generation. But what does it take to succeed? Phil Wright is an influencer, actor, and the executive producer and choreographer of Disney Fam Jam, the new family dance competition show on the Disney Channel based on his viral sensation, The Parent Jam. He has achieved massive success in the industry, but getting there wasn’t easy. In this episode, Phil chats with host Dr. Santor Nishizaki to share a story of perseverance and grit to get to where he is today. Phil shares the important lessons he uncovered throughout the ups and downs of his career and shares valuable advice to the new generation of aspiring influencers. Be inspired by his journey and learn how he’s creating a living doing what he loves and fulfilling his purpose.

What is the future of the workplace? When COVID hit, businesses fell into bankruptcy, shops closed, and people either lost their jobs or resigned. Companies had to go above and beyond to keep their employees safe, motivated, and productive. But is this how it's going to be? Is the "new norm" our future? In this episode, Janet Pogue McLaurin, Global Director of Workplace Research and Principal at Gensler, talks about her research about the future of the physical workplace. Janet discusses what the future of the office will look like, the shifts that we have seen concerning the Great Resignation, how generational differences play into the concept of what "office" means and what it's for, and how people feel about the current work setup and how it affects our productivity. Janet also shares insights on what companies should consider in creating or redesigning spaces to provide a great working environment. So tune in to find out more about the future of the workplace.

As we enter the digital age, more and more organizations are turning to artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other forms of technology to help them navigate the ever-changing landscape. But what does this mean for leaders and organizational change? Joining Dr. Santor Nishizaki today is George Swisher, the Co-Founder and CEO at changeforce.ai. George is a former marketing entrepreneur and management consultant. With a 15-year proven track record, he has been improving company performance, shifting cultures through change management, and strategic growth for mergers and acquisitions. Hear what George has to say about the impact of AI, machine learning, and technology on leadership and organizational change.

As an emerging leader or first-time leader, it's important that you have business etiquette. That means having proper posture, not talking when your mouth is full, and many other things. These are small mistakes that can really define your personal brand. And, it can really damage it. Join Dr. Santor Nishizaki as he talks to Pamela J. Green about proper business etiquette for emerging leaders. Pam is the CEO of Pamela J Green Solutions. She equips leaders with the knowledge to strengthen their businesses. Learn some executive presence as a leader. Know that it's okay to be vulnerable to your employees. Discover Pam's thoughts on hybrid work. Listen in to make sure you find your happy place today!

The new generation of entrepreneurs and thought leaders is a force to be reckoned with. Here to share their Gen Z startup success story is Blake Resnick. Blake is the 22-year-old founder and CEO of BRINC, a company building a new class of drones to keep people safe in dangerous situations. Dr. Santor Nishizaki chats with Blake to talk about the unconventional path that led to his startup business and the major challenges he faced as his company grew from just him to an organization of 80 people. Tune in as the two discuss what characterizes Gen Z in terms of their stand on social issues and preferences when it comes to work. They also touch on topics such as retention, The Great Resignation, and when to adopt a hybrid workplace, so stay tuned!

The pandemic has heavily impacted no other industry as much as the healthcare industry. It brought numerous challenges and uncovered many flaws in the existing system. How can leaders navigate and deal with these problems? Joining Dr. Santor Nishizaki to shed light on the situation is April Hansen, Group President of Workforce Solutions at Aya Healthcare. April touches on the adversities faced by healthcare workers highlighting the disproportionate impact of the pandemic, the unfair stigma towards travel nurses, and the issues on personal safety that threaten them daily. With this, there’s currently a lot of weight on the shoulders of leaders in the healthcare and nursing space to tackle these issues. What can be done moving forward? Will having a multi-generational workforce be the new norm? Are hybrid solutions the answer? Will travel nursing and telehealth solutions mitigate these problems? Get to know more by tuning in.