Say It Skillfully

Here’s the 41st episode of Our Voices for you. I’m joined by Evan Wolfson, who founded and led the Freedom to Marry campaign; winning marriage equality in the U.S. after a 30+ year battle. Sharing Evan’s world-changing movement wraps four years with VoiceAmerica. Thank you for all I’ve learned and the opportunity to amplify so many amazing voices!

Listen to the full episode—
Say It Skillfully: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/podcasts
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Evan joins the show to share the story of his long battle for marriage rights, dating back to his time in college, where he wrote his thesis on same-sex marriage long before it was in the national conversation. He’d move on to appear before the supreme court, write a book on “Why Marriage Matters”, and found Freedom to Marry. As a kid, Evan saw law as a means to politics, government and shaping history—hear his career path to literally doing so. Many gems from his fight for marriage, and his mentality when faced with setbacks and feeling like the world is against him.

Don’t miss Evan’s thoughts on what being an activist means, as well as how he felt when the battle for same-sex marriage rights was won with similar reasoning to his 1983 thesis. Then, we talk a bit about what’s next in the fight for a better world. Evan inspires us to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves.

My thought for the week from renowned meditation teacher, Shinzen Young: “Untangle and be free.”

Here is Episode 204 for you – a reflective and informative discussion with the brilliant Bob Roth, widely considered one of the leading experts on Transcendental Meditation. This man has led an eventful life, and on this episode, he sits down and talks to me about how his journey with meditation set him on an inspiring path.

Listen to the full episode here:
*Say It Skillfully: https://www.sayitskillfully.com/podcasts
*Spotify: https://spoti.fi/46qBIo6
*Apple: https://apple.co/46tqsYb
*Audible: https://adbl.co/3Rds6ZD

Bob and I go over what meditation is, and how it can work for anyone, regardless of whether or not you believe in it. Hear all about Focus, Open Monitoring, and Self-Transcending, the three main branches of meditation. Bob explains he came to meditation in 1969, a time when those who practiced were “certifiably weird,” and even though he was “a practical sort of guy,” he had so much trust in and respect for his teacher, that he opened himself up to learning. Now, in 2023, he has devoted his life to bringing Transcendental Meditation to a million and counting children. Bob says his journey started as a way to lessen his stress and has ended up as “a tool to help make a big difference in the world.”

Don’t miss Bob reminiscing on the 60s and 70s, reflecting on how meditation became a widespread movement back then, and maybe even saved his generation. The cultural uproar Bob remembers will help you fully understand why meditation going mainstream came at the perfect moment. Bob tells me all about how inspiring Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was to him because while everyone else fixated on his working with The Beatles, and that level of star-power could have gotten to his head, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi stayed completely focused on researching how meditation was beneficial to physical and mental health. Bob expands on what these health benefits are, explaining how he has helped establish forums for top medical researchers to look into the correlation between meditation and better health.

Bob wraps up this episode by sharing his two keys to success in all areas of life. Tune in to hear what they are! Don’t miss this wisdom-filled episode of Say It Skillfully!

My thought for the week:
Your body hears everything your mind says —Naomi Judd

P.S. Bob leads to his full potential by communication to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, I created my 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.” Here’s the link for free 24-hour access bit.ly/3sETIgg

Tomorrow's episode of the Say It Skillfully podcast features showcases the brilliant Bob Roth, a teacher of Transcendental Meditation and the CEO of the David Lynch Foundation.

Listen live tomorrow @ 11EST/8PST on VoiceAmerica's Business Channel: https://bit.ly/3PAEQIE

During this episode, Bob and I will go over what Transcendental Meditation is, and how anyone can use the practice to find inner peace. Dedicated to helping relieve the over-saturation of stress and trauma in under-privileged populations, the David Lynch Foundation, with Bob Roth at its helm, have given over one million dollars in Transcendental Meditation scholarships to urban youth, veterans suffering from PTSD, women and children who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and healthcare workers who have been on the front lines of the global pandemic. Bob will share his own experience living in Northern California during the tumultuous 60s and how the seismic culture shift he witnessed help bring him into the world of meditation. Bob is the author of what can be called the Transcendentalist bible, “Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation,” and hosts his own podcast on iHeartRadio, “Stay Calm with Bob Roth,” and the SiriusXM radio show, “Success Without Stress.” Tune in for what is certain to be not only an informative episode, but possibly the most zen episode of Say It Skillfully yet!

This week's podcast is an encore of Episode 151, featuring Dr. Christina Rahm, who was recently deemed "Global Thought Leader of the Year" for 2023 in Healthcare during this year's G20 Summit.

Listen to the full episode on
Say It Skillfully: https://lnkd.in/esEmM4PA
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3LEZvJs
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/46byjtZ
Audible: https://apple.co/46byjtZ

Christina joined the show to share her journey, persevering through more personal and health issues than you might imagine, and making a positive change in the world in her unique way. Don’t miss a chance to draw inspiration from her struggles and take her story as proof that, even with the odds stacked against us, we can find ways to prosper and positively impact the world.

Christina inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true and very best selves!

Here’s the 39th edition of Our Voices for you, likely to open your eyes to how one indomitable spirit can change the world. I’m joined by global humanitarian volunteer, Dr. Alison Thompson, whose journey inspires us to serve our community and world in ways we may never have imagined!

OUR VOICES is my monthly feature intended to accelerate social change, level the playing field and help everyone live to their full potential.

Listen to the full episode here:
*Say It Skillfully: https://lnkd.in/esEmM4PA
*Spotify: https://spoti.fi/45PxDKL
*Apple: https://apple.co/3Rk7CP1
*Audible: https://adbl.co/460PLkE

Growing up in Australia, her father a preacher, Alison moved frequently in a missionary lifestyle and she found herself most comfortable in her early habitats of developing world and jungle. She recalls her parents’ unconditional love and beaming love into the eyes of those in need, though she thought she’d grow up, have a candy store and four kids, vs. immerse herself in helping people in refugee camps!

Along her way to her dream job, Alison’s career took her to nursing, math teacher, investment banker and film school. She implores, “Don’t be scared to take a new path!”

On September 11th, 2001 Alison lost 64 friends and that day changed her life trajectory. She worked for 9 months as a first responder at Ground Zero and shares how she managed to cope and then to thrive after something so senseless.

In founding “Third Wave Volunteers”—30,000 medical and non-medical volunteers on the ground responding to disasters globally—Alison takes you through mistakes, learnings and the highs and lows. Hear how each of us can make a difference! She shares her experience with large aid organizations and the power of a hug that doesn’t let go.

Don’t miss this moving episode. She inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves. Learn more and support here: https://lnkd.in/evwW25a7 (including her award-winning documentary “The Third Wave” that chronicles her volunteering in Sri Lanka after the tsunami and book).

My thought for the week:
“It’s easy to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, but it’s leadership to be at the wrong place at the right time.”
—Alison Thompson

P.S. Alison leads to her full potential by communicating to influence and inspire! To help you do the same, I created my 1st LinkedIn Learning course, “Leadership Communication in the Flow of Work.”
Here’s the link for free 24-hr access bit.ly/3sETIgg

Here’s Say It Skillfully Podcast 193, featuring the soulful journey of Nashville Hall of Fame singer-songwriter, Tony Arata, to the limelight of his craft, without that ever being his intention.

Listen to the full episode here:

*Say It Skillfully: https://lnkd.in/eDAB3wKD
*Spotify: https://spoti.fi/47BhJ88
*Apple: https://apple.co/3KHJJgi
*Audible: https://adbl.co/3qE6HxZ

Being “last of the litter” with 4 older siblings, Tony shares how a $50 guitar from his brother and access to his siblings’ albums are what ignited Tony’s musical interest and “fancying to be songwriter.” Hear how Aretha Franklin’s R-E-S-P-E-C-T and 11th grade English teacher Sally Scott putting Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath in his hands were pivotal in his epiphany: “Songs come from people, not the radio or albums.”

Moving to Tybee, GA in 11th grade, Tony recalls, “I had no friends; my guitar and music were my friends.” He learned by voraciously listening to music and reading lyrics. Chuckle as you hear how Tony (journalism major in college) lied his way to his first job as writer… about buses. And the rest is history. A few of many gems:

* True peace is found when doing what you enjoy for no other reason than it helps define you and brings you peace

* That kid learning to play guitar at Tybee island is the same old man amazed by the 12 notes and 26 letters. This world of music is an ever evolving process…. Nobody says, “I’ve arrived”.

* Music is my peace, my outlet – I never had to ask permission from anyone (to write music)

* … do it regardless of fame—no hollow pursuit—waiting on validation to come from somewhere else.

Garth Brooks, who has recorded, to date, 7 of Tony’s songs, said about Tony: “He has to be one of my favorite songwriters. He’s a cat who doesn’t care about appearances. He doesn’t care about money. He cares about his children, his wife & his music. That’s neat.”

Don’t miss the inspiration of Tony pursuing his craft without an end in sight… no ulterior motive, and staying true to himself as #1 songs, #1 albums and Grammy nominations manifested. Learn about succeeding in and navigating life on your terms.

Here’s Say It Skillfully Podcast 181 for you, featuring the inspiring Jason Reid!

Listen to the full episode here:

* Say It Skillfully: https://lnkd.in/eDAB3wKD

* Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41KugSj

* Apple: https://apple.co/42L2Ywt

* Audible: https://adbl.co/3MbShvV

Jason is a leader, entrepreneur and CEO coach who became an activist on a mission to end teen su***de after the tragic loss of his 14-year-old son. Inspired by a sticky note left by his son, Jason founded “Tell My Story” to help raise awareness and make it the norm for parents to “own” their kids' mental health. He’ll share with us some of what he’s learned about himself and others since embarking on this journey, including that we’re all likely to be touched by depression and anxiety, and the importance of just getting your kid to talk, rather than trying to “fix” them.

Don’t miss this account of turning loss into something meaningful for countless others. Jason inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves.

For more about Tell My Story: https://tellmystory.org/

Jay’s Talks—

TEDx: https://lnkd.in/eue_HVeG

Goalcast: https://lnkd.in/eQZewK4T

Tomorrow on the Say It Skillfully podcast, I'm joined by the inspiring Jason Reid!

Jason is a a successful leader, entrepreneur and CEO coach who became an activist on a mission to end teen su***de after the tragic loss of his 14-year-old son. He’s an amazing advocate for owning our kid’s mental health and will share what he’s learned about himself and others through starting his organization, "Tell My Story". Don’t miss an inside look at an emotional journey that will leave you inspired to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves.

Learn more about Tell My Story at chooselife.org

Listen live tomorrow @ 11EST/8PST on VoiceAmerica's Business Channel: https://bit.ly/3U6Kins

Podcast available the day after the show on your preferred platform or sayitskillfully.com.

Here’s the 36th edition of Our Voices for you, featuring the amazing Grace Francisco!

OUR VOICES is my monthly feature intended to accelerate social change, level the playing field and help everyone live to their full potential.

Listen to the full episode here:
* Say It Skillfully: https://lnkd.in/eDAB3wKD
* Spotify: https://spoti.fi/41o7hfU
* Apple: https://apple.co/3BbkxtA
* Audible: https://adbl.co/3prM3jO

Grace is a sought-after speaker, CMO and Head of Developer Relations at Pangea and was previously the VP of Developer Strategy at Cisco. Grace joins the show to share her journey that will inspire us to be confident. She opens up how being seen as a nerd and having a rare condition made it a struggle to find friends in her early years—crediting American TV as a main human connection. Don’t miss Grace’s tips on being comfortable in your own skin after an inspiring evolution from “painfully shy” to speaking to thousands of people on center stage. She also shares insights from her roles as a leader throughout the years, including the importance of inviting the “quiet person” to speak up. Grace inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves.

Tomorrow on the Say It Skillfully podcast, I'm joined by the wonderful Grace Francisco!

Grace will join the show to share key moments of her long journey to becoming the beacon of confidence that she is today. Don’t miss stories and insights from a CMO, VP and sought-after speaker.

Listen live tomorrow @ 11EST/8PST on VoiceAmerica's Business Channel: https://bit.ly/3U6Kins

Podcast available the day after the show on your preferred platform or sayitskillfully.com.

Here’s Say It Skillfully Podcast 179 for you, featuring Brennan O'Dowd, owner and operator of Raleigh Paint & Improvement.

Listen to the full episode here:
* Say It Skillfully: https://lnkd.in/eDAB3wKD
* Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3EQVPy0
* Apple: https://apple.co/3bjQByy
* Audible: https://adbl.co/3TixIzE

Brennan collapsed into a he**in and Xanax addiction after struggling in his post-college years. He opens up about being at rock bottom and finding the light at the end of the tunnel in painting. Brennan sold his car, clothes and anything else he could find for his first paint van, and through hard work and dedication built a now 5-star rated painting company from the ground up.

Tune in to this episode for a personal account of Brennan’s rollercoaster ride of a journey, as well as tips for creating a successful business and staying sober despite an addictive personality. Brennan inspires us all to know no boundaries and to commit to taking action so that all can be safe, seen and heard, and our true best selves.

My thought for the week, from Brennan: Failure is the key to the door of success. If you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough.

This week's video covers how to skillfully deal with a vendor who is under-delivering on their promises. Here's how to keep your emotions in check and calmly bring up the issue.

View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TK7uBt4W9kM