Desmond Clark – Creating a Standard of Winning – Key Insights for Developing Lifelong Skills for Success (AoL 192)

/by

As we’re getting started in this second year of potentially a two or three year pandemic “clean up” plan, there’s going to be plenty of time for us to really adjust and think about where we fit in the world. It’s a great time to develop our skills for success.

What do I mean by that?

Well, it’s a forced transition period for all of us. What might have been our identity in the past, might not work in the PAE.

That said, one group of individuals who all have to go through this major life change sometime in their career are professional athletes. Like our guest, Desmond “Dez” Clark says, if your identity was wrapped up into your job (as an athlete), you’re going to have issues when you can’t do that job anymore.

Luckily for Dez, he knew who he was before his career as a professional athlete. So when he finished up, yes, there was a transition period, but he was the same Dez who used the game as a means to get what he wanted.

In this chat with him, Ya’el and I learn a little bit of what he’s learned over the years through these transitions and how he’s been able to stay the course during his life using those experiences.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

  • Where did Desmond’s early leadership mentality come from? 8:46
  • How did he develop a vision for his athletic life and able to stick to it? 12:11
  • When did Dez realize it was time to transition into a new life/identity? 17:07
  • Why does he believe his success wasn’t a coincidence? 20:50
  • How did Dez start realizing that failures aren’t necessarily endings but just learning opportunities no matter the cost? 25:00
  • How does he actively build relationships to help him and those around him get to the next level? 28:11
  • Is there a secret to gauging if a conversation is a winning conversation? 29:43
  • What’s a bad day look like to Dez? 38:25
  • What is he looking forward to in 2021? 41:06
  • Which teachers have helped him get to where he’s at today? 42:53
  • If he could ask anyone living a dead a question, who and what would he ask? 43:11
  • Which issue should be discussed more today, yet hardly anyone does? 44:01
  • What advice does he hear adults give children which he’d like to call BS on? 44:21
  • What’s the secret to achieving personal freedom? 45:02

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Desmond Online: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram
Cohost: Ya’el Johnson
Powered By: FREE GUIDE: Uncover Your Personal Mission

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

Highlights from Dez’s NFL Career

Dez shares discusses his role as President of the NFL Alumni Chicago Chapter

Kevin Hicks interviews Dez

Tim Schumm interviews Dez

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!

building companies

Marek Zmyslowski – Building Companies Abroad: Key Do’s and Don’ts when Investing In Businesses Outside the First World (AoL 191)

/by

Welcome to 2021, everyone. What an interesting ride it’s been… and we’re not out of woods yet. However, if you’re interested in building companies (and who isn’t these days?), I’m really feeling hope in the air. Hope of a fresh start.

If anyone knows about fresh starts, it’s this session’s guest Marek Zmyslowski. He’s had a couple in his career – but one he’s most notable for is the one he had to go through as he was writing his book Chasing Black Unicorns.

In his book, Marek shares with us the story of why and how he built the Amazon of Africa… but then how selecting a bad business partner eventually got him in hot water with Interpol… and what he learned from the whole ordeal.

In our conversation with Marek, new co-host Ya’el and I explore some of the items Marek has learned you want to do or don’t do when you’re building companies in up and coming countries.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

  • What was Marek’s first business? 10:08
  • What were some of the key steps he took to get some of his first ventures started? 14:23
  • How did Marek come to the decision to buy out his business partner when things started going south? 17:54
  • How was Marek able to move past the drama with Interpol and his business partner? 23:19
  • In which ways has Marek been able to leverage his experience into positives today? 29:12
  • What has Marek done for his own pandemic pivot? 32:04
  • Who are three influencers or teachers which have helped him get to where he’s at today? 35:47
  • What’s been the biggest plot twist he’s seen in his day to day life? 37:56
  • What’s something he feels is going to change entrepreneurship in the future, and what specifically is he excited about? 39:15
  • Which message in the world is a disservice to youth? 43:49
  • How can someone be a difference maker in their community? 47:13

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Marek Online: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram
Cohost: Ya’el Johnson
Powered By: Groove (formerly Groovefunnels) – Get all your online marketing needs under one roof… currently for a lifetime deal!

Tony Robbins
Tim Ferriss
Joe Rogan’s podcast

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

Introduction of Chasing Black Unicorns

Marek’s TEDx on becoming Interpol’s most wanted criminal

Marek’s talk on the LetsDoHumans Podcast

Marek Chatting with Candice Horbacz

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!

young professional

Emily Mishler – Perspective for the Young Professional: Why Authenticity Wins when Building Your Network (AoL 190)

/by

As we’re quickly hurtling towards 2021, many a young professional is finding it harder and harder to sync into the “real world” once they’re out of college. For me, it’s been over 10 years since I got out. And it took me quite awhile to get my bearings. I can only imagine what it’s like now as the world is changing faster and faster outside the ivory tower of academia.

Personally, I think 2020 has been a wake up call in more ways than one. Sure, we’ve been talking about pivoting all year since the virus officially dropped. But one thing we haven’t discussed is the need for better networking skills.

For yours truly, I struggled with this for awhile when I got out of school. In fact, I wasn’t all that great at it even when I started this podcast. However, it was through the podcast, that I have been able to build my networking skills. It’s definitely not the same perspective I have on the art as I did when I first entered into the “real world”. It would have been nice to have been taught some of the stuff you’ll learn in today’s conversation in school.

So, if you’re a young professional, entering the workforce, or have an expendable entry level position, what can you do to hedge your bets? Well, I think a great start is to look at someone like Emily Mishler as a fine example of how to get yourself out there.

Listen in as Andy and I find out how she’s been able to reach the professional level she has as a late 20-something.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

How was Emily able to be as productive as she was during her college years? 11:08
How can a young professional leverage their network to build something they’ll be really proud of? 15:44
What are some common misconceptions that younger people have about networking? 18:37
If someone wants to begin networking, what would Emily recommend as a starting strategy? 23:03
What advice would Emily have for those who have multiple passions and is having a hard time focusing on single passion because they feel if they focus on one that it will be on the expense of the others? 29:11
How has Emily been able to pivot in 2020? 31:46
What is Emily’s favorite opening line for networking? 35:12
Which one book, one film, and one song would Emily add to the national curriculum? 36:06
What has she been learning about recently that she’s super excited to implement? 36:36
Is there something specific that each high school student must know? 37:49
What’s it mean to live a life of abundance? 38:29

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

Emily Featured as Miss Purdue

Emily’s Interview on the Grow Stack Drive (GSD) Podcast with Ken Joslin

Jas and Jo Interview Emily and learn more about Curiosity and her children’s book series

Emily Discusses the Creative Society

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!

build confidence

Casey Sharperson – Believe in Your Better Tomorrow – How to Build Confidence and Achieve Your Dreams (AoL 189)

/by

As 2020 is coming quickly to an end, we’re moving closer to favorable conditions to be creatively self employed. However, that might be easier said than done. For many, the pandemic has set people back in more ways than one. If we want to build confidence going into the new year and to be a player in the Pandemic Adjusted Economy (PAE), we’ll likely need to rebuild and equip ourselves with new expectations of what’s possible.

Personally, I feel that 2020 has helped me reflect and improve my vision of what my businesses can be. In fact, we’re improving the model of everything I’m involved with. I’ve certainly learned a few lessons from this past year. More so how to build businesses that are pandemic proof!

However, I understand that not everyone has been able to gain that clarity. In fact, I think a lot of people who’ve lost their business aren’t quite sure how to pick things up to rebuild. Or, even if they’d want to. Or maybe, someone’s been waiting for the best time to start out on their own – but they’re especially not sure if NOW is the best time to get started.

Here’s the thing: everyone who was affected by COVID-19 will still have to start from a level playing ground when we’re given the greenlight to begin again.

So don’t let your fears hold you back. Reach out and find those who can be a catalyst for what you’re trying to achieve.

One such person I’d recommend reaching out to is this session’s guest, Casey Sharperson. In this conversation, she shares with us how she made the jump BEFORE the pandemic hit and how she’s already helping others do the same.

Listen in as Veronica and I find out what it means to take charge of your story and use it to your advantage to move forward.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

  • Who was Casey growing up and how would her own Disney movie begin? 9:44
  • How did her mentor, Alice Carson Tisdale, affect her and where she saw her life going? 12:17
  • Was there a “catalyst moment” during her corporate career which made Casey start on her own path? 18:41
  • When it comes to working with Millennials, where does she start in the process of helping a client? 23:54
  • How can someone use rejection as a catalyst for change and growth themselves? 28:05
  • How has Casey pursued her vision as opposed to simply dreaming and hoping things will come true? 32:45
  • What’s it take to leverage one’s own story to build a brand and fans who love them? 37:06
  • If someone hasn’t found their “story” yet, is it possible for them to build a brand? 40:30
  • Has any of her clients realized their own personal story under her watch, and if so, what was the transformation like? 43:31
  • What would the world look like if everyone had their own personal transformation experience where they actually step into who they are? 47:17
  • What in particular is Casey focused on for the near future? 48:43
  • Who are three influencers/teachers who have helped her become who she is today? 50:28
  • What gift does she like giving others? 52:50
  • Which issue does she believe more people should be discussing yet hardly anyone is? 53:48
  • Which ad would she place into the world if it didn’t cost anything? 55:16
  • How can someone be a difference maker in their community? 55:38

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Casey Online: Website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube
Cohost: Veronica Kirin
Powered By: Groovefunnels
Casey’s Book – Dream, Build, Repeat (Amazon Link)
Alice Carson Tisdale Story
Marshawn Evans Daniels

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

Angela Ganote interviews Casey on Fox59

3 Ways of Pushing Past Comparison

Casey’s Talk on Overcoming the Label and Living a Life of Purpose

Casey chats with Taylor Bell about Meditation and Faith

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!

take care of yourself

Sameera Khan – Healthy Living for the Creative: Secrets from a Health Nutritionist to Take Care of Yourself (AoL 188)

/by

In 2020, it’s been relatively easy to put on a few pounds since we’re all more prone to living a sedentary lifestyle. That’s why the Quarantine 15 has become a thing. However, that’s really a bad excuse to not take care of yourself.

So, for the holidays, I wanted to make sure we released a conversation with someone who can help us work-o-holic creatives be a bit more mindful of how we’re treating ourselves during the last stretch of the year.

While our guest Sameera Khan typically works with bariatric surgery candidates, she has some great tips for the rest of us.

Listen in as Veronica and I explore a handful of tips we should keep in mind to keep ourselves from binging and/or staying on track for our holiday meal planning.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

  • What was the spark that drew Sameera towards a career in the health field? 11:03
  • How can someone become more aware of where they’re at in their own personal care? 15:52
  • How would the work-a-holic use this knowledge in their day to day? 18:31
  • What is someone facing when they’re looking at bariatric surgery? 21:40
  • What kind of actions does someone need to take after bariatric surgery to stay healthy? 26:00
  • Why would someone want to shift their carb intake and what are some tips someone can do that? 28:03
  • What is Sameera focused on for the rest of this year and going forward? 33:24
  • Which 3 books does Sameera find herself giving or telling others about the most? 35:30
  • Is there a documentary she recommends people check out? 36:17
  • What is something she believed as an 18 year but has realized is completely inaccurate and why? 37:17
  • Which three personal truths would Sameera want others to know? 38:52
  • What does it mean to live a life of abundance? 40:40

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Sameera Online: Website, Facebook, Instagram
Cohost: Veronica Kirin
Powered By: Uncover Your Personal Mission
Regain Be Gone (Amazon Link)
Obesity Code (Amazon Link)
Whole30
What the Health
Curiosity Stream (free with your subscription to Scribd!)

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

Rob’s testimonial of the journey she’s been on with Sameera

Ed’s testimonial of Sameera’s work

Denise Walsh speaks with Sameera about Keeping Weight Off

Dr. Oz on the Paleo Diet

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!

live the life

Justin Breen – Live the Life You Want – How to Build Your Own Epic Business (AoL 187)

/by

In the last five years, I’ve learned a lot of things from doing this show. If someone is looking, I really think it can help someone live the life they want. However, while I might have learned plenty since starting the show, I’d say a big part of that knowledge is simply developing new perspectives on what I already thought I knew.

While I’ve had several changes of perspective, three have stood out the most this year.

The first big perspective change I had was that it really does take awhile to master a craft. For example, while I feel I know a lot about producing a great sounding show, there’s always tweaks I can be making to improve the show as a whole. But it’s only from that experience that I know to make those changes. You’re not going to learn meaningful knowledge overnight.

The second perspective shift I’ve received from the show was actually a big game changer. I realized the more people are doing work aligned with what’s important to them in life and how others see them, the closer they are to doing work that isn’t really… work.

And the third realization came from understanding this past year one thing: The more people you meet and let into your life, the more opportunity you have to grow.

I share those three perspectives with today’s guest, Justin Breen.

In fact, when I realized he was building his business on these three core beliefs, it occured to me that I should probably embrace them more myself.

Listen in as he shares with Veronica and I why these beliefs are important to him and how they’ve empowered him to live the life he’s proud of.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

  • What initially drew Justin to a career in journalism? 9:13
  • In 2017 Justin realized there was a shift in journalism. What happened that made him realize it was time to start to live the life he desired? 11:43
  • What inspired Justin to write his book Epic Business the way he did? 18:04
  • What are some of the things someone should expect to learn about in his book? 19:53
  • How can someone put their family needs first when they believe the work that they’re doing is supporting their family long term? 24:01
  • How important is a knowledge of PR and media connections in business success? 31:09
  • For someone who’s just starting out in their business, what should they know about being more respectful of journalists and building relationships with them? 34:26
  • How did Justin learn the skill of leading with relationships in building his business as opposed to being highly transactional? 37:58
  • What does the future of BREpic look like and what is he looking forward to? 43:25
  • Who are Justin’s favorite teachers who have helped him get to where he’s at today? 45:21
  • Which documentary would he recommend people check out? 45:37
  • What’s the best advice he’s ever received? 45:58
  • Is there an issue more people should be paying attention to? 46:12
  • What’s it mean to live a life of abundance? 46:36

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Justin Online: Website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
Cohost: Veronica Kirin
Powered By: Kennected
Greg Reid AoL Interview
Epic Business – Justin Breen (Amazon Link)
Three Feet from Gold – Greg Reid (Amazon Link)
Kolbe A Index
Documentary: Thirteenth

Justin’s Networking Groups
Provisors (Local chapters around the country)
Strategic Coach
Entrepreneur’s Organization
Abundance 360 (Elon Musk level)

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

AoL Past Guest Manuj interviews Justin

Kristi Ross Interviews Justin – Summary of BrEpic and Some Key Considerations on Growth

Rob Rosmis interviews Justin – The Importance of the Story

Jordan Ostroff interviews Justin – Developing a Unique Brand

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!

think big

Ya’el Johnson – One Step at a Time: How to Think Big Yet Focus on What We Can Control (AoL 186)

/by

Believe it or not, but there’s a lot of people in this world who are afraid to think big. The reason for this is pretty simple… at least to them. Why think of making a huge impact when you can’t even get your own life straight?

What I’ve learned is that having big goals and dreams actually helps one deal with the now. If we have a worthwhile goal, it allows us to prioritize it. And that, allows us to not prioritize what’s good now… or at least the actions that might self sabotage us in the long run. In other words, if you have an elephant to eat, that’s how you eat it – one bite at a time.

In this session with friend of the show, with newly married Ya’el Johnson, Andy and I chat with her about what she’s learned about life and success as she’s taken control over her own life and destiny. This is a great lesson if you’re new to the self development world, but also a great reminder for those of us who might feel down due to the ongoing effects of COVID-19.

Enjoy!

SPECIFICALLY, YOU’LL FIND OUT MORE ABOUT:

  • How does Ya’el remember getting into the personal development space? 10:46
  • According to Ya’el, why is it necessary for people to control what they can in their lives? 12:10
  • What tips does she have for someone whose been living a horror story and are trying to get out? 19:25
  • What got her interested in aiding in homelessness in the town she’s living in? 23:33
  • How can someone tackle a big project like homelessness in their own community? 27:48
  • What can we expect to hear from Ya’el’s podcast? 35:01
  • What’s going on for Ya’el in the not too distant future? 39:43
  • Who are her three influencers or teachers who have helped launch her to where she’s at today? 41:25
  • What is the most powerful question she likes to ask her coaching clients? 41:59
  • What message is out there that’s a disservice to youth? 43:29
  • How does Ya’el deal with getting overwhelmed? 46:22
  • What’s it mean to live a life of abundance? 47:50

ITEMS and PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Right click here and save-as to download this episode to your computer.

SHOW NOTE EXTRAS:

Ya’el’s Poem “The World I See Beings with Me”

Abraham Hicks – How to Make Big Things Happen

Brendon Burchard – Working on Self Perception

Tony Robbins – Achieving Meaning and Real Success in Life

Thanks for Listening!

Thanks so much for joining us again this week. Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below!

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the top of the post.

Also, please leave an honest review for The AoL Podcast on iTunes! Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and we read each and every one of them.

If you have any questions feel free to email them over via the email mentioned in the show or by our contact form.

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Castbox, iTunes, Stitcher, PodBean, and/or Google Play Music. It’s absolutely free to do so.

A huge thank-you to you guys for joining us!

Cheers!