Shock Your Potential

Embracing Empathy in Leadership - Brandi Bernoskie

“When you take care of your team, your people, and clients, they will take care of you too.” Brandi Bernoskie
Leaders work with people and it is very important that they create an environment that fosters open and honest communication if they are to get ahead and thrive. This is according to our guest today, Brandi Bernoski, who believes that the best way to sustainably grow your business and be a better leader, is by defining what success means to you, and being human in all your points of contact with both your people and clients.  
Brandi is a digital strategist, website developer, and founder of Alchemy+Aim and North Star Sites, companies that help entrepreneurs and business owners elevate their online presence and enhance their digital experience. She is an advocate for using technology in ways that humanize, connect and serve people as well as for asking deeper philosophical questions and teaching others to think more broadly about impact when they create, particularly in STEAM fields.
Brandi’s academic background in theatre, philosophy and physics was the perfect foundation for launching her business, where her team has worked with thought leaders like Brené Brown, Laverne Cox, Judy Smith, and Kate Northrup as well as other notable change makers since 2013. Brandi is a natural connector and business matchmaker, who is always working to help others step into their genius work and leverage the expertise of those around them to achieve new levels of success and community along the way.
In today’s episode, Brandi  discusses about what to consider when building a digital presence for your business. She will also delve more into what it means to be an empathetic leader and the importance of taking care of your people as well as your clients and creating meaningful relationships.
Listen in!
Social media
https://alchemyandaim.com    
https://brandibernoskie.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandibernoskie
 
I started my business about eight years ago as a freelance developer. [2:22]
I am not developing anymore because my team is doing all the development. [2:31]
We have the opportunity of partnering with our clients to bring out the best of what they do by creating something online that supports their business and their lifestyle. [2:40]
I am not a believer in magic pills or cookie-cutter formulas in order to get the job done. [2:50]
I am emphatic with my clients about tuning in to what they are excited about and leveraging those points of connection for the benefit of the business. [2:58]
I am such a natural relationships person, that I have built my entire business on just referrals, connections, and meeting new people. [3:39]
We have to start by defining what success means for ourselves. [4:15]
We hop on the latest social media channels because everyone is there, and we think that is where we should be, but your ideal audience may not be there. [6:05]
I tend to find my perfect audience in rooms full of brilliant women. [6:15]
We think we have to launch out of the gate with many offerings but you can start with just two and build on new ones as the audience demands it. [8:18]
That is the joy of having a business; is that you learn and evolve as you go. [9:55]
Some of my clients have come as referrals from people I have known; from spaces that weren’t necessarily related at all to website development. [10:10]
I never have a goal to sell anyone anything, even on a sales call. [10:50]
My goal is to understand what they need, and help them get what that is. [11:00]
There are times I go into things that I don’t think are going to work with me. [11:10]
I focus on finding who in my network I can connect them with, to help them get what they need. [11:18]
Any offer I make to my clients always comes from that place of service. [11:37]
This has helped me create long-term relationships with people. [11:52]
Commercial Break [13:25]
Being empathetic with people and getting to know whatever situation or struggle they are going through. [14:48]
Inevitably we can’t silo ourselves. [15:05]
If something is happening in our personal lives, it is going to affect our work. [15:12]
Permitting people not to be perfect all the time is huge. [15:51]
Creating that safe space for anyone that you are working with to come to you and let you know what is going on is so significant, particularly today. [16:23]
That is the foundation of all the leadership work I do with people. [16:55]
We have had to shift how we operate in so many ways, and to shift back is going to take some time. [15:25]
The pandemic brought to light things that mattered most to people. [15:40]
I always tell my team that if something happens, that needs your attention, please be there. [20:55]
Remember that you are an evolving human being, and it is not about getting things done perfectly but beautifully in their imperfection. [22:45]
It is always an evolution. [23:10]
………………………………………………….
Thank you to our July Sponsor: Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being 
Imagine starting a long journey without a map…or even a clear idea of the obstacles ahead. That’s exactly what it’s like for entrepreneurs who start companies with a lot of passion, but without the financial expertise to grow and scale their businesses and create long-term wealth for their families.
Wayne Titus shows you how to find a financial adviser who can help you map a better journey. In his book, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being.  With the right adviser at your side, you’ll have the freedom to focus on what really matters to you.
Get The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being at Amazon.com and in the virtual bookstore on the Shock Your Potential app.

Create a Safe Place for Your People - Ira S Wolfe

“When you help people take that first step, they become more confident. When they are more confident, then all of a sudden the world seems a little brighter and they can see the light at the end of the tunnel. ” Ira Wolfe
The past year turned out to be very unconventional for majority of people with the work place being most affected. The outcomes of various events most especially the Covid-19 pandemic, altered the normal work routines of many if not all companies which led a large number of people moving to work remotely. The dilemma facing many leaders now is how they will move forward considering their new operating realities with regards to work locations. According to Ira Wolfe, the answer is very simple and involves managers building safe spaces for their people to work and thrive.
Ira S Wolfe describes himself as a “Millennial trapped in a Baby Boomer body”. He is the president of Poised for the Future Company, founder of Success Performance Solutions, a TEDx Speaker, Top five Global Thought Leader on Future of Work and HR (Thinkers360), author of Recruiting in the Age of Googlization- https://amzn.to/3gvHAFR, and host of Geeks Geezers Googlization podcast (selected as one of the top 50 podcasts to listen to in 2021). Ira is also a frequent presenter at SHRM and business conferences and a guest on over 50 podcasts each year. His most recent book is Recruiting in the Age of Googlization- https://amzn.to/3gvHAFR, now in its 2nd edition. The book was selected as one of the top 50 books to read in 2021 by Thinkers360 and recognized as one of the best Recruiting books of all time by Book Authority. Ira is the founder of the Googlization Nation community and a frequent contributor to HR and business blogs including Cornerstone on Demand's Rework, Medium and Huff Post. He’s been featured in INC Magazine, Fast Company, Business Week, American Express OPEN, NFIB, Inc., Intuit Small Business, and Fox Business. He is also the author of five other books including Perfect Labor Storm, Understanding Business Values and Motivators.
In today’s Episode, Ira Wolfe will discuss more about how the work environment has evolved and how managers can take advantage of the opportunities available to grow people as well as their companies. We will also discuss how to navigate through the uncertainty that characterizes the current work environment.
Listen in!
Social Media:
LinkedIn: https://linkedIn.com/in/irawolfe
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/successperformancesolutions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hireauthority
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ggg_pod
FB: https://facebook.com/successperformancesolutions
Instagram: https://instagram.com/googlizationnation
YouTube: https://youtube.com/irawolfe
 
I grew up in a time where people still got gold watches and people worked for a company up to 50 years in one career and sometimes in one Job. [2:37]
With time it has gotten more complex. [3:00]
From a company owner’s perspective, it is terrifying that someone would last only three to five years, [3:19]
If they can bring value to your organization and leave your organization in a better place according to the metrics, then that is okay. [3:37]
In as much as companies complain that employees have no loyalty, it is them who train them to be that way. [6:22]
I had a very successful practice in dentistry and when I left people wondered what I was going to do. [7:00]
I developed transferable skills such as communicating with people, building teams, and critical thinking. [7:39]
The thing that people overlook is about having transferable skills which are learnt through life experience. [9:22]
There are no life career jobs and we can’t treat people that way. [9:36]
If you hire people and they contribute to what you have done and they leave your company in a better place, then that is the best you can ask for. [9:43]
Very reliable research indicates that on average, two-thirds of all jobs maybe one-third automated. [11:52]
The reality is one-third jobs that won’t change are those that will be eliminated. [12:24]
Every single person on the planet whether retail or frontline has to learn how to work with technology, because of the likelihood that most jobs are going to have a higher degree of automation. [12:48]
Sixty five percent of remote workers want to stay remote, thirty three percent want to remain hybrid, and the remaining want to go back to the way things were. [15:33]
Talking about managers and leaders, they were not very good before at ensuring employee engagement. [16: 20]
According to Gallop, thirty percent or less of people were fully engaged at work while seventy percent were partially or fully disengaged. [16:32]
If it wasn’t good when they were under your nose where you could micro manage them, what is going to happen now that they are remote. [17:04]
When you are at work you have to manage people, who are on site and those who are remote and it is always fluid. [18:06]
It creates a huge opportunity where you can hire anyone around the world to fill those hard to fill jobs. [18:58]
The down side is how you fill that safe place that they feel part of culture when they may never physically be in the same room to know their people. [19:06]
Commercial Break [19:20]
Everybody needs to become more adaptable where we are literally writing the rules as we go on. [21:07]
We do know that there will be some form of hybrid workplace. [21:25]
I spent my passion project last year and a half and it is on adaptability [22:10]
I don’t have a better Acronym to describe what 2020 was, Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous, and is the world we are going to live in going forward. So how do we manage that? [22:50]
We work with something called the adaptability quotient [ 23:25]
It identifies fifteen dimensions that impact someone’s ability to change. Some are internal which refers to skills we need to have. [23:31]
As leaders you have to create a company culture that makes people feel supported. [24:26]
The most important that we can change include grit, resilience, mental flexibility, growth mindset and unlearning. [25:34]
In order to have empathy, you need to step into other people’s shoes and that calls on seeing the world from somebody else’s point of view. [29:50]
The five abilities are things that individuals are going to have to learn. [30:40]
For leaders, the biggest challenge ahead is how do you help create a safe space? [30:58]
Leaders have to help people build their confidence and gain the courage and by doing so, they will become more optimistic and hopeful about the future. [31:17]
Don’t let the shift hit your plans [34:15]
………………………………………………….
Thank you to our July Sponsor: Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being
Imagine starting a long journey without a map…or even a clear idea of the obstacles ahead. That’s exactly what it’s like for entrepreneurs who start companies with a lot of passion, but without the financial expertise to grow and scale their businesses and create long-term wealth for their families.
Wayne Titus shows you how to find a financial adviser who can help you map a better journey. In his book, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being.  With the right adviser at your side, you’ll have the freedom to focus on what really matters to you.
Get The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being at Amazon.com and in the virtual bookstore on the Shock Your Potential app.

Leaders Should Give a C.R.A.P. - Jason A Hunt

"People are attracted to those that know their values and what they stand for" Jason Hunt
Acknowledging that people are the central element in leadership is the first step towards being an effective leader. To grow and use your influence as a leader, you have to start by making authentic connections. Our Guest today, Jason Hunt, knows this too well thanks to his leadership journey and the experience of working with upcoming leaders. He is dedicated to ensuring that the people he works with find it easier to like and follow their leaders.
Jason Hunt is the founder and CEO of Eye Squared Leadership, and he has had the pleasure of working with companies large and small. Jason's first significant leadership role was to run a branch of 100 church members in outer Siberia when he was 19. Since then, he has served in several leadership positions, including the principal of a school. He has a master's degree in leadership, is certified by the John Maxwell Leadership Institute, and is the author of The Other Side: 5 Rules for Leading with Influence- https://amzn.to/35snw0J . Jason lives in Owatonna, Minnesota, with his wife and four kids.
In today's episode, Jason will discuss what leadership is and what it's not and take us through the discoveries he has made in the course of his leadership journey. He will also share simple, practical tips that can guide leaders to connect and positively influence the people they interact with.
Listen in!
Social Links:
Website: https://www.influencingforimpact.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/influencingforimpact
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonahunt/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/influencingforimpact
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-g1esmhBI4w4hZ-6yIwbXQ?view_as=subscriber
As you intentionally grow your influence, there is a direct correlation to the amount of positive impact you can have on people. [2:50]
I was leading at junior high as a principal, and it was a clear aspiration for me, and I wanted to be able to do that. [4:22]
I was leading from my title and thought that leadership was about management more than anything else. [4:59]
Everything was okay in year one, but the gloves came off in year two, and everything was falling apart. [5:19]
I wanted to point a finger and blame other people, but I knew internally everything rises and falls on leadership. [5:39]
I realized that my leadership style wasn't working at all because I was too focused on the tasks. [5:58]
I realized I had to focus on the people, and I hadn't been doing that at all. [8:23]
I created a strategy for me to start to change, and one of the primary things I wanted to do was to be open and vulnerable with my staff. [9:57]
Authenticity in leadership is a key to leading well. [10:12]
I primarily work with middle-level leadership in manufacturing organizations. [14:25]
I know the pain they experience in their positions because I have been there. [14:45]
Commercial break [17:40]
I was able to be a church missionary, and that is what got me over in Siberia. [18:05]
I ended up on a two-year mission, and I learned a lot about leadership. [19:05]
I had to step up as a leader even if I was only 19 years old, and I knew almost nothing about leadership. [20:00]
It is okay to have the courage to make decisions. [20:20]
If you want to understand more about a culture, don't just read. Go where the culture is at and see. [23:15]
My four tips on leadership include having a heart that cares, using your ethic and act, including asking questions, using hands to collaborate where I believe in a horizontal leadership style, and lastly, having the courage to make difficult decisions. [25:50]
People want to know you give a CRAP (Celebration, Recognition, Appreciation, and Praise) which can sometimes be challenging. [27:05]
At the end of the day, it is not the bottom line that creates influence with people, but rather your ability to focus on the needs and desires of your team. [31:47]
………………………………………………….
Thank you to our July Sponsor: Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being 
Imagine starting a long journey without a map…or even a clear idea of the obstacles ahead. That’s exactly what it’s like for entrepreneurs who start companies with a lot of passion, but without the financial expertise to grow and scale their businesses and create long-term wealth for their families.
Wayne Titus shows you how to find a financial adviser who can help you map a better journey. In his book, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being.  With the right adviser at your side, you’ll have the freedom to focus on what really matters to you.
Get The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial Well-Being at Amazon.com and in the virtual bookstore on the Shock Your Potential app.
 
 

Suitcase Gals - Gurvinder Ravery

“You are not a number with a travel advisor, you are with a live person and you don’t have to hold.” Gurvinder Ravery.
After months of restricted travel due to the pandemic, people are now starting to plan for their next trips. Yet as travel opportunities continue to open up in most parts of the world, it is important for travelers to realize that the travel world has changed and is quite different from what they once knew before the pandemic. According to our guest today, Gurvinder Ravery, seeking the services of an experienced travel advisor to help you navigate the travel process might be the best way to go considering the current circumstances. 
Gurvinder Ravery's passion for traveling has allowed her to discover new destinations around the globe and share them with her clients. Eleven years ago, Gurvinder and her family started a tradition of taking annual trips to Turks and Caicos enjoying "island living" for a month. Gurvy Travel soon emerged. Gurvinder assists travelers with the logistics of planning and traveling.
In today’s episode, our guest will be discussing her travel experiences and what motivated her to get into the travel industry. She will also tell us more about an exciting travel opportunity that she offers to women who love traveling.
Listen in!
Social Media
Website: https://www.gurvytravel.com 
Website: https://suitcasegals.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gurvinder-ravery-55861521/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/71679072/admin/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gurvytravel 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/150418173663476 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gurvytravel/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suitcasegals/ 
Virtual Showcase: https://www.wbo-mc.com/2021/02/06/gurvinder-raverygurvy-travel/
 
I grew up in Southern California and lived in Maryland for the last 23 years with my family. [2:27]
I have been traveling for years and even had a destination wedding in Positano, Italy. [2:48]
Eleven years ago my family and I started vacationing on the Island of Turks and Caicos. [3:08]
One of my friends helped me see the light and that the travel business was in my blood so here I am years later a travel advisor who started Gurvy Travel. [3:36]
I am an extraverted advisor for Turks and Caicos but I can assist with any destination. [3:56]
I traveled very safely five times during the pandemic and visited four different Islands. [4:02]
Garvy travels helps busy travelers to take a break from everyday stresses by sending you away for an incredible vacation where you can visit destinations that you haven’t seen before or revisit a destination but with different experiences. [4:09]
I have recently joined forces with another travel advisor and we created a group called ‘Suitcase girls.’ [4:55]
‘Suitcase Girls’ is a group for women that are 50 and over and like to meet and travel together. [5:06]
‘Suitcase Girls’ supports and encourages women to get out and explore together with other women and go on organized trips. [5:18]
I have seen more and more people wanting to do something off the beaten path that they wouldn’t have done before. [8:37]
During the pandemic, I looked into how I can bring travel into my client’s living rooms and into their world without traveling physically. [9:40]
Commercial Break. [11:40]
There are many destinations that you can go to if you are fully vaccinated while others will require a test to be done before arriving on property. [13:57]
One of the destinations that I chose was Cost Arica because it has a lot of outdoor activities. [14:20]
I have been there five times and I still haven’t seen the entire country so it is also one of those countries that I feel that there is so much to do. [14:50]
Families with teens struggle with choosing destinations to go to and Costa Rica is one of those destinations where you can keep your teens and families entertained. [16:00]
I would recommend reserving early, and springtime is a great time to visit Costa Rica. [18:48]
There have been so many changes and there are so many protocols that are still in place and travel advisors can help you navigate through that process. [20:21]
Travelers are a lot smarter these days and they want trips that are authentic, real, and trips that have a sustainable component and local immersion. [21:00]
Don’t overlook the depth of work that a travel advisor does of putting your plans together for a memorable trip. [21:20]
Be patient and be flexible because things are different in the travel world. [21:58]
………………………………………………..
Thank you to our June Sponsors: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!
 

Retelling the Indian Travel Experience - Vinay Parameswarappa

“Everybody loves a good story, and they would love it even more if they can relate it to what is happening back at home” Vinay Parameswarappa
‘Amazingly different!’ That’s how the majority of travelers describe India as a destination.  The diversity of the people, the culture, and the famous cuisines provide interesting experiences to travelers who visit this country with a rich history spanning over 5000 years back.  However, this destination can be overwhelming to travelers considering its numerous sites and available activities one can get involved in. Our guest today, Vinay Parameswarappa, is an experienced travel operator who understands the complexity of India as a destination and insists on the importance of having expert guidance when visiting India.
Vinay Parameswarappa is the founder of Gully Tours, one of India’s first experiential tour companies specializing in immersive travel. They offer walking tours, cycle tours, food tours, and bespoke tours in Bangalore, Mysore, Coorg, and Kochi in South India. Since 2009 he has hosted more than 30,000 people from 70+ countries around the world. His guests include Mr Kofi Annan, Bollywood celebrities and CXOs of Global Corporations. He has been featured in Netflix, The Guardian, National Geographic Magazine and CondeNast Traveler. He was selected as one of the Leaders of Tomorrow in the Tourism space by the Indian Media House – ET NOW. He is an Engineer & an MBA from the University of Oxford.
Listen in!
Social media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinayparameswarappa/
https://linkedin.com/company/gullytours
https://twitter.com/wineye
https://www.facebook.com/Gully.Tours
https://www.instagram.com/gully.tours/
I travelled across South East Asia, and it was fascinating to see how well the whole travel ecosystems had developed [3:25]
What struck me is Singapore, as a city-country, gets more tourists than the whole of India, while Singapore is much smaller than Bangla[3:30]
I felt that what was missing in India is packaging the whole thing better, market it better and be better at telling your own story [4:00]
So much of the experiences I had in India growing up while travelling was just trophy hunting, but the experience was different when I had a chance walking in Singapore [4:50]
The experience, together with reading a book on the founding of the world’s most famous travel companies, motivated me to quit my job in Singapore and move back to India to start a travel venture[5:31]
Everybody loves a good story, and they would love it even more if they can relate it to what is happening back at home [7:54]
I love travelling and taking walking tours. It is such a great way of knowing destinations with the help of an expert who facilitates and helps you navigate your way around [9:08]
One of the experiences we offer is a tour where you go to a market and shop for what you need and go to the home of a local family and you cook a meal in their kitchen [12:20]
I like the quote by the former Indian prime minister, “the antidote to terrorism and tourism”. The more you go out and see other people, the more you realize it is the same everywhere [13:02]
Commercial Break [13:20]
If you are coming to India, it is not about the destination you pick but how you look at the country. [14:15]
There are many guests who come to India with western yardsticks, which will definitely disappoint you. [14:20]
The first step is having an open mind when coming to India, hoping to explore and learn something new. [14:45]
The South of India has many diverse experiences to offer, including temple architecture, palaces, spices, lovely beaches and great food. [15:15]
People now have the option of taking virtual tours to ‘test drive’ the destinations before they visit [17:22]
………………………………………………..
Thank you to our June Sponsors: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!

Traveling Addiction - Malcolm Teasdale

“If you have a bucket list start working on it now before it’s too late.” ~ Malcolm Teasdale
Malcolm Teasdale was born in Coventry, England and is a successful entrepreneur who spent all of his working life in the technology industry, where he made a success from creating software development companies, the most recent of which he sold to a major corporation in 2013 for its intellectual property and workforce skillset.
He created markets in all the major continents and sold products to customers in over 70 countries. His company received numerous industry awards for product quality, innovation, and pioneering technology, and he has spoken at many trade shows and industry events around the World.
He has traveled to 98 countries for business and pleasure, but since retiring from the industry, now travels to the more unusual destinations in the World in search of rich cultural experiences. Think Nepal, Mongolia, Tibet, Bhutan and Borneo to name a few.
He has written several books about business and adventure travel, with an emphasis on history, geography, education and humor. His public speaking engagements focus on business, adventure travel, destinations around the World and foreign cultures.
Apart from England, he has also lived in Canada, Wales and Singapore, and currently resides in Florida, USA.
https://www.facebook.com/TravelingAddict/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/malcolmjteasdale
http://www.twitter.com/MalcolmtheBrit
https://www.instagram.com/englshguy/
 
Listen in!!
The key to our success was probably involved in travel international business. [05:28]
What I tried to do is learn about foreign cultures at an early age and when we go overseas to meet with these companies to sell our products, we wanted to make sure we understand the business culture. [05:46]
I took early retirement in 2013 and for six months I did nothing and was stupidly bored. Then I got poached by some sort of entertainment company. [06:22]
If you are going to travel or communicate with people from other countries, you need to start to understand their culture. [07:56]
Taking the time to learn about another culture not only enriches you but it also lubricates the relationship or potential business relationship, creates more opportunities for positive interactions. [08:15]
My whole team that works for me is based in Kenya and I was supposed to go there last November. [10:07]
Just because we think maybe something should be different doesn’t mean that that’s what somebody wants and learning to recognize that and respect it is really important. [11:31]
When you go and learn about the way other people live in the world, we are pretty much all the same. We all have our bad sides and habits but there is always a good side. [12:19]
What made you want to start writing and putting this down? [12:46]
It is pretty important to document stuff so that later in life you have a memory of the experiences that you had. That is why I do it. [14:18]
When we used to travel, at the end of every day we’d spend half an hour remembering the things we did that day. [14:52]
Commercial &Marketing U.  [16:10]
If I had to say to people a place to go that would give you everlasting memories that you would never forget, these three places will provide you with memories to last you forever the country of Bhutan, Mongolia and Tibet. [19:16]
The scenery in Mongolia in the wilderness is quite unlike anywhere else in the planet. [20:22]
Being out in the wilderness almost isolated was a fabulous experience. [21:07]
As you talked about all the three places you are talking about the way people live, what’s important to them and their sense of pride in their life and following their ancestors. [25:35]
The best degree you can have in the world is the degree of common sense. [29:13]
If you have a bucket list start working on it now before it’s too late. You don’t want to have any regrets while you are laying in your bed and you can’t travel anymore. [29:23]
………………………………………………..
Thank you to our June Sponsors: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!

The Yampu difference - Monica Irauzqui

“It is important to balance the locals’ need to survive with the animals’ needs for a win-win outcome” Monica Irauzqui
When embarking on a trip, a traveler always looks forward to have an experience of a lifetime, the kind that makes them pause and think about how unbelievably gorgeous the world is. But how can you increase the chances of getting that indefinable bonus quality in your travel experience? Our guest today, Monica Irauzqui designs such trips which aspire to satisfy the wanderlust of travelers, and ones that truly rock their world.
Monica Irauzqui is the Vice President and co-founder of Yampu Tours and YampGo, starting the company 21 years ago with her husband. Her travel experience comes from firsthand knowledge she has gained from multiple trips she has taken with her husband and two kids (so naturally, she is an expert in family travel). Her eye for detail, knack for knowing what clients will like and won’t like even after knowing them for a short amount of time, and impeccable memory for remembering even the smallest bit of information proves that she is one of the most trusted and skilled people in the Travel Industry.
Monica has been instrumental in creating a “client first” culture at Yampu Tours, https://www.yampu.com/. She teaches classes to her staff on gaining and keeping trust. The Mantra of Monica and her team at Yampu is to create lifetime relationships with their clients. Yampu tours are private and authentic—no ‘cookie cutter’ experiences here! Tours are one hundred percent customizable to your whims and wishes. Yampu thrives to stand behind you to ensure that everything goes according to plan – your plan. Monica also has a travel school for people who want to become travel experts, or travel agents who want to ’up’ their game.
In today’s episode, our guest will share more about exciting travel destinations, challenging yourself even in travel, and the importance of getting a travel agent to plan and guide your trip. We will also discuss why the amazing Peru should be topping your travel bucket list even as we prepare to start getting out there again.
 
Listen in!
Social Media Handles and Websites
https://www.yampu.com/
https://yampugo.com/
https://travel-the-world-give-back-and-make-a-living-s.teachable.com/p/how-to-sell-travel-and-tourpackages
https://www.instagram.com/monicairauzquiexperiences/   https://www.facebook.com/monicairauzquiexperiences
https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-irauzqui-01b101b/
https://twitter.com/MonicaIrauzqui  https://www.trustpilot.com/review/yampu.com
https://vimeo.com/monicairauzquiexperience  https://www.packforapurpose.org/destinations/south-america/peru/yampu-tours/  https://linktr.ee/MonicaIrauzqui
We are sharing what we love with our clients. We try to get to know everyone so that we find them joyful experiences that they would not have thought of on their own. [3:00]
I design trips of a lifetime and I want to show people experiences that they haven’t imagined. [4:05]
When I booked my first trip to Botswana, one of the activities was walking with elephants. [4:16]
It was an exciting adventure that wasn’t touristy and it was one of the best experiences of my life. [4:52]
I have learnt so much in the 23 years that we have been travelling to these countries and I have changed a lot. [7:59]
My husband and I travelled to Machu Pichu when we first met 30 years ago. [9:48]
We decided to do travel and it was more an investment of time, research and sweat. [10:47]
As clients started travelling with us and liking what we were doing, we always had to be one step ahead of them so we added more destinations. [11:11]
During Covid, we have added even more destinations while we wait for people to start travelling again. [11:29]
We just added the United States as a destination. [12:38]
Commercial Break [14:45]
Peru is a great destination and if I have to pick one, it is Peru. [15:25]
Right now they are limiting the number of people who can go to Machu Picchu therefore making this the best time to visit. [16:32]
A lot of my clients are sent on a one-day Inca Trail where they take the train most of the way and then get off and hike for about 6 hours into Machu Picchu. [17:30]
There is also a 6-day Salkantay Track where they have mountain lodges and you can sleep and hike all day. [18:06]
The Sanctuary lodge and the Inkaterra Machu Picchu are my two go to Hotels. [19:15]
The food scene in Lima, for a foodie, you have to take 3-4 days to sample all the amazing restaurants. [20:15]
You can go to Peru more than once for sure. [23:01]
Find a travel expert to show you things that you may not think of your own but will be spectacular for you. [24:40]
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Thank you to our June Sponsor: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!

Greece Adventure Trips - Angela Giannioti

“Collect moments and not items” Angela Giannioti
Greece tops the travel bucket list of most, if not all travel enthusiasts. This famous country is popular for its beautiful landscape and its ancient history. Yet apart from the identified tourist spots, what you should also look forward to as you visit Greece, is the experience that the people and their culture have to offer.  This is according to our guest today, Angela Giannioti, who gives us a sneak peek into what entails the best experiences lived and collected when visiting Greece
Angela Giannioti, fondly referred as Aggeliki, is a travel and adventure lover, and has been working in the travel industry for some years. Angela was born and raised in the US by Greek parents and later moved to Greece where she has been living since 1992. In 2018, she established a destination management company called Greece Adventure Trips, a professional services company with in-depth local knowledge, expertise and resources, working in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation and travel packages covering each and every corner of the amazing Greece.
Greece Adventure Trips organizes and implements travel packages and one day tours in selected areas of Epirus ranging from the dreamed Zagorohoria; the imposing Tzoumerka; the uniquely beautiful Thesprotia (Acheron River); Western Macedonia; the magical Prespes; the unique national park of Pindos of the Peloponnese; a huge outdoor museum; the Ionian Islands with the crystal clear turquoise waters; the dazzling Mykonos; Santorini, the center of western civilization; the vibrant Athens; Crete that simply has it all, and other "hidden gems" all over Greece.
In today’s episode, we will be discussing about experiencing Greece through connecting with the people and their culture as well as the most recommended sites to experience as a first-time visitor to Greece and even during subsequent visits.
Listen in!
Social Media
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aggeliki-giannioti-6aa55082
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greece-adventure-trips
FB business page: https://www.facebook.com/greeceadventuretrips
FB personal account: https://www.facebook.com/aggeliki.giannioti
FB Business group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GreeceAdventureTrips  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greece_adventure_trips/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCtrLGvqQVW3EBRYSSUi9TEA
Since my childhood I have loved travelling and discovering new things and places. [3:33]
I also enjoy setting up special programs and seeing new things especially in Greece. [3:58]
What I love about travelling is getting in touch with the local people and their way of life and making friends. [4:28]
When you go to the places where the people who live there go, you truly experience something authentic about the culture and get to experience things that you never would. [6:09]
When I visit a place, I want to get a real feeling of that place and carry back memories and also enlarge me perspective [6:37]
Sometimes people can be intimidated going to a country where the language is so different. [7:50]
As long as you are trying and know enough hand gestures, the more you interact with the locals the less intimidating it becomes. [8:10]
Being part of something that is guided and directed for you not only gives you a sense of comfort but also gives you opportunity to see things that are not only tourist stops [10:25]
I love talking to people before their trip so as to understand their expectations and what they would like to experience during their trip [11:08]
Having an insider tailoring your itinerary based on your personality ensures you have blast [11:34]
I do believe that travel industry offers so many alternatives to cover everyone’s needs. [17:03]
Commercial Break [18:00]
Greece is a country with many Islands and Islets and having to choose one or two is difficult. [18:54]
If it is the first time, Athens is a must considering the rich history and culture the city has to offer. [19:15]
Santorini Island is also a good destination for first time visitors. [19:34]
For visitors that have already visited the two, and considering the current need for maintaining less crowding, the three places I would recommend are Amorgos Island, Sifnos Island and Naxos Island which can all be combined in an itinerary. [19:55]
In the mainland, Epirus region which has interesting culture, great food, lakes and rivers as well as the coastline of the Ionian Sea. [21:33]
Start dreaming and why not start planning our next trip? [25:58]
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Thank you to our June Sponsor: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!
 
 

Seeds that Germinate - Dr. Richard London

“Your past is in stone your future is in paper, you might as well create the life that you would like.” ~ Dr. Richard London
Imagine being at the BEST concert of your Life.
You left feeling so wonderful, light, happy and Powerful.
Dr. Richard London is that Rockstar, Futurist, Father of Wisdom who knows what the future looks like and shares with YOU the Tools and Solutions so you may move forward in your life today with confidence, ease and grace.
Dr. London heard you have a great show, He wants to give Hope and Real Solutions to your listeners in this time of World Crisis. April Vargas. Just email me and you and Dr. Richard London can chat
Dr. London KNOWS, this doesn’t have to be YOUR REALITY. He has the solutions to RECESSION PROOFING YOUR BUSINESS AND PERSONAL LIFE NOW!
Website: https://drrichardlondon.com/
                https://automatealife.com/
                https://bullshitfreelife.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.london.790?ref=name
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-london-102b53/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorateofLife
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RoadToYes
 
Listen in!!
The weather in the world is changing to the better, nice and warm, so we getting our souls warmed up, it’s time to travel and have fun. [02:32]
I am such a firm believer that the more we move throughout the world and we experience different places, different people, different foods we realize that will all our differences at the end of the day we are trying to accomplish the same thing. [02:47]
I control the brains in the world. [04:15]
I am only 4 years old; my soul is 4 years old so I look at everything through the eyes of a child. [04:26]
Another ability that I have is manifestation. I am the leading manifestation advisor mentor in the world. [04:51]
I donate 100% of my wealth to be of service to others. [05:32]
I am the person who funds and pushes the wisdom that comes to the universe so we can plant seeds. Books, information and wisdom is nothing but planting seeds. [07:15]
I am the leading farmer in the world, because every seed I plant germinates, so I as I am talking to your listeners worldwide these are not just words, they are seeds that are going to germinate in people’s lives. [08:03]
We all have a divine purpose but actually we all have one purpose and that’s to be the greatest spiritual farmers that we could be in the world. [08:25]
It’s not always easy when tough things happen to feel thankful but we can still approach them with the positivity that keeps us buoyant until the things around us bring us back up [09:03]
The Akashic records is the book of life, the universal mind. I am gifted with the ability to go in. [11:10]
The best leaders are not the ones that don’t make any mistakes, the best leaders are the ones that reflect. [12:23]
Leadership is all about 100% integrity, leadership is about taking responsibility for your actions immediately, leadership is about keeping your word too. [13:13]
Everything in the world is infinite. [17:18]
Commercial &Marketing U. [20:12]
The two places in central Mexico are Guanajuato City (where the founding fathers of Mexico were born) and San Miguel de Allende. These cities are twice as old as the US. [23:07]
It’s one of the few places in the world that they actually have mummies. In the country of Mexico people don’t know but you have to pay to inter people. [25:12]
I think humans need to be travel time warriors, you need to be a warrior when you travel because you need to protect yourself so that you can allow yourself to have maximum fun [27:07]
Your past is in stone your future is in paper, you might as well create the life that you would like. [28:33]
Travel should be about the details, look at the people, look at how they dress, where they are eating and gathering. [31:33]
There are three ingredients to create heaven on earth; develop an unbreakable spirit, live in real divine truth and become a warrior. [37:17]
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Thank you to our June Sponsors: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!

Out of your Comfort Zone - Kevin Albin

“Let’s all travel together.” ~ Kevin Albin
Kevin Albin was a police officer in the UK for 25 years during which he served on a tactical firearms team and worked as a hostage negotiator. He then retrained as an International Mountain Leader, and has worked around the globe guiding on trekking trips and leading expeditions in conservation.
In 2011, he won the bronze in the World Guide Awards.
Being unable to travel and work overseas during the pandemic, he wrote and published a Eco-fiction novel, Stonechild, where the statues of London come to life with a message on saving the planet. He currently lives in France.
Listen In!!
Website: https://kevin-albin.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevAlbin
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-albin-628673182/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kev_albin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Stonechild.statues
One day I woke up and the police uniform just didn’t fit any longer. [02:51]
It took me about 7 years in total and I started off working with young adults between 16 years to 21 years. [04:05]
I took them overseas to some distant land and they would have an experience for a month being away from home and their parents. [04:17]
When you take someone out of their comfort zone and put them in what they perceive as a hostile environment they become very attentive and therefore they are ready to learn. [05:00]
What I found is that on these trips I was meeting wonderful people and they were coming out with their life stories. It was a form of counselling. [06:33]
In fact, I am a very energetic person and I don’t sit still at all and my outlet was the book, ‘Stonechild’. [08:55]
Did you feel when you were in those moments yes you were a guide but did you feel like this is also part of why you became a police officer? [11:46]
The last two years of my police career I was seconded to a youth service. [12:26]
Murders are up 30% and they are mostly young kids that are shooting each other and nobody really knows why. [15:01]
The pandemic is showing us that it doesn’t matter how rich you are, what lifestyle or how modern your lifestyle is or what conveniences you have, you can get sick and die like anyone else wherever it is. That is a real leveler. [16:45]
Let’s all travel together. [17:24]
The statue of Churchill explains that it’s like connecting the dead world with the live world through the embodiment of the statues. [18:55]
Commercial &Marketing U. [20:59]
If you would pick one place for everyone to go, where would you pick? [24:07]
In the forest and around the forest there are still local tribes people living fairly traditionally. [26:42]
The reason for urging people to go there apart from the fact that it’s very beautiful is that it is an example of what people are trying to do in order to preserve rain forests and preserve the biodiversity. [27:12]
When the world starts again if somebody wants to go there what is the best way for them to start considering going. [28:40]
I have worked very closely with a company called Sticky Rice Travel which has a very professional outfit and they have been there for a long time. [29:15]
I urge everyone to take stock and look at where the world is at the moment, this had arrived because of the lack of biodiversity, because of what we are doing to the planet, because of the way the planet is changing. [31:00]
Pick out what interests you and then see how you can make a difference. [31:24]
Get back in with nature. [32:01]
………………………………………………..
Thank you to our June Sponsors: &Marketing U
Solopreneurs and small businesses often struggle to create effective digital marketing programs. It’s hard to know where to start, what to prioritize, how to sift through confusing information and solutions that seem too good to be true. Agencies and full-time marketing employees are expensive!
&Marketing U is a modern marketing course with all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your business without that extra set of hands or high overhead costs. You will learn exactly what you need to do to execute a concrete marketing strategy by dedicating just 2-4 hours per week.
&Marketing U will help you execute: Strategy, Messaging, Content Marketing, SEO, Social Media, Paid Digital Advertising, and more. You’ll have access to on-demand resources, live courses, group coaching sessions, community forums and networking, plus the exact templates and tools you need for success.
Our CPO took this course and one of the biggest benefits we gained was developing a competitive strategy that aligned our social media playbook and website to generate highly qualified leads.
For all the tools, education, and accountability you need to grow your small business at a fraction of the cost of hiring a traditional agency or additional employees, go to:  www.and-marketing.com/u, and use the code SHOCK to receive 10% off any program!