Amplify with Jess Ekstrom – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Do you sometimes feel like your creative well has run dry? In a world increasingly dominated by AI and efficiency, how do we protect and cultivate our unique human spark?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with Natalie Nixon, PhD, a renowned creativity expert, innovation strategist, and author, famously dubbed the "Creativity Whisperer to the C-Suite." Natalie shares profound insights on how to reclaim your inherent creativity, understand its real-world ROI, and navigate the evolving relationship between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

Drawing inspiration from childhood wonder, Natalie and Jess explore how our natural creative impulses often get "disciplined" by traditional education and societal norms. You'll learn why "getting lost on purpose" can be a powerful catalyst for new ideas and how leveraging AI can actually amplify, rather than stifle, your human creativity.

We tackle:

• Why children are the ultimate "wonder mentors," modeling the pure, uninhibited creativity we often lose.
• The profound impact of educational systems on stifling or cultivating creativity, drawing from Natalie's diverse schooling experiences.
• The importance of striking a balance between "wonder" and "rigor" in fostering creative thinking.
• Natalie's pragmatic and optimistic view on the relationship between AI and human creativity.
• Why intentionally "getting lost" (literally and figuratively) can unlock serendipity and new ideas.
• The concept of a "human revolution," not just a tech revolution, and how AI creates "spaciousness" for deeper human connection and thought.
• The value of liminal space and embracing ambiguity—just like artists do.
• How to use AI to ask better questions and prompt deeper reflection.
• The power of incorporating "daydream breaks" into your daily routine to activate your brain's default mode network.
• Why allowing for boredom (especially for kids!) is an invitation to imagination.
• A brilliant hack for overcoming creative blocks when the "stakes" of getting paid influence your work: "role-playing with your past self."
• Why "plenty of ideas end up on the cutting floor" is not failure, but "flow."

About Natalie Nixon, PhD:

Natalie Nixon, PhD, is a global expert in creativity, innovation, and the future of work. She advises leaders on how to make their organizations more nimble and innovative through her unique approach to applied creativity. As a speaker, strategist, and author of The Creativity Leap, Natalie empowers individuals and teams to unlock their creative potential and drive tangible results. She is also launching her new book, Move, Think, Rest, in 2025.

Resources & Links:

• Pre-order Move, Think, Rest by Natalie Nixon: https://www.amazon.com/Move-Think-Rest-Productivity-Relationship/dp/0306835584
• Download Natalie's Wonder-Rigor Tip Sheet: https://www.figure8thinking.com/wonderrigor-tip-sheet/
• Figure 8 Thinking: figure8thinking.com
• Follow Natalie Nixon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienixonphd/
• Follow Natalie Nixon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natwnixon/

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Are you tired of feeling like you have to be inauthentic to be liked? Do you struggle with setting boundaries and advocating for yourself, fearing it might damage your relationships?

This week on Amplify, Jess sits down with her dear friend, Kwame Christian, a top-booked negotiation keynote speaker and host of the #1 podcast, Negotiate Anything. 

Kwame shares a deeply personal and formative childhood story that shaped his journey from people-pleaser to negotiation expert, revealing how his early experiences led him to compromise himself for the sake of being liked. He explains how this common "people-pleasing pressure" can actually damage the very relationships we're trying to protect.

You'll discover:

• The surprising link between childhood experiences and our adult people-pleasing tendencies.
• How the "big five personality traits" (openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and emotional stability) influence our negotiation style.
• Why being overly agreeable can lead to an "emotional hangover" and resentment.
• The profound impact of unspoken boundaries on relationships, both personal and professional.
• Kwame's simple "yes-no-yes" framework for setting and maintaining effective boundaries.
• Why the definition of negotiation is often warped, and how redefining it can empower you in daily life.
• The concept that "assertiveness is teaching the person how to treat you."
• How to navigate the "assertiveness penalty" that women (and other groups) often face in professional settings.
• Why overthinking is your "kryptonite," and how a "shot clock" can help you make better decisions faster.
• The psychological insight that you'll never truly "get over" stage fright, and why that's a good thing.
• How Kwame uses AI daily to amplify his humanity, manage emotions, identify blind spots, and create cohesive negotiation strategies.
• The power of mirror neurons and how our tone and attitude can unconsciously impact others.

About Kwame Christian
Kwame Christian, Esq., M.A. is the CEO of the American Negotiation Institute (ANI) and a leading voice in the field of negotiation. He hosts the #1 negotiation podcast, Negotiate Anything, and his TED Talk has garnered over 600,000 views. He is also a LinkedIn Top Voice and the author of Finding Confidence in Conflict and How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race. Kwame's mission is to make the world a better place, one difficult conversation at a time.

Resources & Links:

• American Negotiation Institute: americnnegotiationinstitute.com
• Follow Kwame Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kwamechristian/
• Listen to the Negotiate Anything podcast: https://negotiateanything.com/
• Finding Confidence in Conflict by Kwame Christian: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Confidence-Conflict-Negotiate-Anything/dp/0578413736
• How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race by Kwame Christian: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Difficult-Conversations-About-Race/dp/1637741308
• TEDx, Finding Confidence in Conflict: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6Zg65eK9XU

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

Public speaking can feel overwhelming, but small changes can make a huge impact. In this episode of Amplify with Jess Ekstrom, Jess sits down with keynote speaker and generational workforce expert Lindsay Boccardo to break down the subtle shifts that can take your speaking from good to great.

Lindsay shares practical insights on how to engage your audience, bring the right level of energy, and avoid sounding like a phony game show host. They discuss how to turn up the dial on your presence in an authentic way, why confidence comes from preparation, and how even minor tweaks in gestures and posture can make a difference.

If you’ve ever struggled with how to sound engaging without feeling like you’re putting on a performance, this episode is for you!

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between a “spotlight speaker” and a “lighthouse speaker”
• How to boost your presence without overdoing it
• Why watching yourself on video can improve your speaking skills
• The surprising impact of hydration on your stage presence
• How to handle disengaged audience members without losing confidence

Whether you're stepping onto a keynote stage or leading a team meeting, these tips will help you show up with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.

Resources & Links:

• Follow Lindsay Boccardo: https://www.lindsayboccardo.com/
• Learn more about Mic Drop Club: https://micdropworkshop.com/club/
• Watch the full LinkedIn Live: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jess-ekstrom-speaker-author_with-ai-front-and-center-soft-skills-are-activity-7289699709328240641-xaH9

Rate & Review: Enjoying Amplify with Jess? Rate us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave a review to help more people discover the show!

Follow Jess on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-speaker-author/ - to stay up to date with her LinkedIn Live series, where these episodes originate.

Amplify with Jess is produced by Walk West and brought to you by Mic Drop Workshop.

So, you have a book idea, but you have no idea where to start in order to get your book on shelves—thankfully I've already been through the process and can tell you!

In this episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing four important steps to get your book on the shelves of retailers you love. Listen in as I dive into building a book proposal, getting a literary agent, securing a book publisher, and doing the work to see your book out in the real world.

Four Steps to Get Your Book On Shelves

1. Answer this Question: Why do you want to write a book?

• Why you? (2:03)
• Why this topic, transformation, or category? (2:28
• Why now? (2:42)

brightpages.com

Publishing Deals (3:41)

2. Write Your Book Proposal (4:41)

What goes into your book proposal:

• Overview of the Book
• Answering the whys
• Who’s your target market
• Comparative titles
• Chapter outlines
• Who are you
• Marketing ideas
• Sample chapters

Working with a Literary Agent (6:19)

Working with a Publisher(8:10)

Working with a Sales Team to Get on Shelves (9:26)

3. Getting in Local Bookstores (10:31)

4. Getting in Local Libraries (12:09)

One Liner: Only write a book if you want to leave your readers better after having read it. (15:15)

Get Podcast Updates Every Monday: Text Podcast to 704-228-9495

Register for the Book Pop Workshop Webinar

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

Are you using clubhouse to grow as a professional speaker? With the platform becoming more and more popular, there is so much potential to gain awareness for your brand and network with others.

In this episode of Business on the Brightside, Mothyna James-Brightful joins us to discuss how you can use clubhouse for your brand! Additionally, we talk about steps we can all take to create more diversity and inclusion in the speaking and event industry!

First Paid & Non-Paid Speaking Gig (1:25)

Pitching Yourself in Your Clubhouse Bio (8:05)

How to Overcome the Fear of Speaking (9:17)

Diversifying Speaking Engagements (11:50)

Diversifying Your Experience (15:22)

Advice to Speakers to Stay Active (18:38)

Links:

instagram.com/mothyna

sistermothyna.com

stagereadyspeaker.com

Grab the free email templates.

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

Have you ever had a moment in your life that you look back on and thought, "Wow, that actually happened... and I made it through."

In today's episode of Business on the Bright Side, I'm sharing how I lost the first $10,000 I invested in my business before I ever really even started. The lessons that came from that experience didn't sink in until much later, but it also brought out more than just lessons, it taught me about risk.

What was the risk of moving forward after failure? What's the risk of not moving forward? What considerations or risks do you have in your next big idea or adventure?

Getting Started with Headbands of Hope (3:12)

How Jess Lost $10,000 (7:20)

Moving Beyond the Risk (11:31)

Finding Success & Purpose After Failure (13:10)

Links:

Chasing the Bright Side

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Are you ready to make a change in the way you're living your life? Antonio Neves joins us as our first guest on Business on the Bright Side to discuss his book, Stop Living on Autopilot!

In this episode, we talk through authenticity, knowing who you are, and surrounding yourself with quality community! If you're ready to stop living on autopilot, you need to hear this conversation with Antonio!

Meet Antonio (2:25)

Being Authentic (9:45)

How do you introduce yourself? (15:16)

Good Fear vs. Bad Fear (17:28)

Thieves vs. Allies (26:58)

Links

theantonioneves.com

Stop Living on AutoPilot by Antonio Neves

Armchair Expert by Dax Shepard

Review the Transcript at businessonthebrightside.com!

Are you struggling with creating and prioritizing your goals? This episode is for you! While I'm not a fan of strict goal setting, I think it's important to know what you're working towards! Listen in as I share my favorite goal setting tips so you can accomplish what you want in 2021!

Grab the Goal Setting Workbook

Tips for Goal Setting

1. Leave room for possibility. Release your grip. How can you hold it with an open palm

2. Write down your goals.

3. Speak it into existence.

4. Do something small towards it.

One Liner: We grow into the person that we want to be on the way to our goals, not in the planning. (11:04)

Sometimes our own way of thinking can get in the way of us achieving our own goals. Let's make life a little easier with a simple mindset shift. In today's episode, I'm sharing 4 mindset shifts you can copy to stop getting in your own way!

4 Mindset Shifts to Make Life Easier (1:26)

1. You before anything else. (1:38)

2. Care more about the system, less about the goal. (3:02)

3. Care more about what you’re creating than what people are thinking. (5:01)

4. Train your mind to see the good in people & business. See it and speak it. (6:37)

"People aren’t thinking about you as much as you think they are."

One Liner: Even our most engrained patterns and habits deserve to be questioned. What worked yesterday, might not work today. Always keep iterating. (7:47)

Review the transcript at businessonthebrightside.com.

You have permission to change who you are at any time. Isn't that crazy? You can determine who you are and what you want to be, along with how you approach situations. Ready to dive in? Let's figure out what your 2021 personality is with this simple quiz!

10 Questions to Decide What You Want Your 2021 Personality to Be (3:35)

1. Do you want to be a coach, player, or spectator? (3;42)

2. What people do you want to reach? (4:11)

3. How do you want to help those people? (4:34)

4. Where do you want to meet these people? (6:03)

5. What creative medium do you want to use to share your gifts? (6:30)

6. What do you want your look to be? (7:02) 8:33

7. How do you want to respond to challenges?(9:28)

8. Who is your alter ego?(10:33)

9. What are you not going to care about anymore?(11:34)

10. What’s the one thing that you’re going to care deeply about?(12:14)

One Liner: Remember, you’re a different person yesterday than you are today. Who you are as a person is fluid and dynamic so keep checking in with yourself. (13:00)

Links

lindseyschwartz.com

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