What's Next Now! – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Welcome back, friends! I am back with a new episode of What's Next Now! and am happy to be joined by Susan Mondi Bowen, my yoga teacher, mentor, and friend! She was among the first 500 employees at Salesforce.com, working in the early days of Silicon Valley when internet startups were still considered risky bets.

Throughout our conversation, Susan draws some striking parallels between yoga and technology. Just as cloud computing works seamlessly in the background, yoga, she explains, can integrate into our lives as a quiet, grounding “technology” for being fully present. She brings this to life with a simple but powerful practice which she calls the “three-second space” which involves pausing, engaging all five senses, and being present in the moment. She challenges listeners to try it as a 30-day experiment, noting how profoundly it can transform decision-making, stress, and perspective.

Susan and I also talk about her belief that the turning point in any big change comes when the suffering of staying the same finally outweighs the fear of stepping into the unknown and how, for her, it was realizing that chasing success and material things such as ten pairs of shoes or endless hours of work was actually draining her life, not enriching it. She therefore decided to take a risk and try something different, and Thrive Yoga was born.

Of course, Susan doesn’t shy away from the business side, either. She’s candid about leading with kindness and compassion, while also being direct and holding staff accountable to the studio’s vision. That balance of authenticity, firmness, and care is a true throughline in how she approaches her students, employees, and community.

If you have ever wondered what it takes to leap from a high-powered career into something radically different, or if you’re curious about the intersection of yoga, business, and living fully, this is an episode worth your time!

Episode Highlights: [2:18] - Hear how Susan found that tech’s risk and energy mirrored yoga’s potential for innovative living.[4:14] - Susan explains that the word vinyasa means “flowing presence” like yoga or cloud computing quietly supporting life’s experiences.[6:37] - Living fully means embracing the present moment beyond just success, wealth, or biological impulses.[9:53] - I note how calming through breathwork seems simple but can actually be tough with real-life stressors.[10:52] - Susan argues that you have to truly want change in order for it to happen; it comes down to motivation.[13:22] - I highlight Susan’s bold move from tech into pioneering yoga entrepreneurship but wonder, why yoga, and why then?[14:13] - Susan committed to yoga over tech when suffering outweighed fear.[17:02] - Susan asserts that core beliefs, not certainty, drive change.[19:55] - Susan uses curiosity and listening in order to design programs that meet people’s deeper needs.[22:33] - Susan and I discuss how Thrive Yoga uses Feng Shui to create relaxation and a natural atmosphere.[25:10] - Hear how Susan balances compassion with honesty, mentoring staff while upholding her vision.[28:24] - I wrap up by highlighting key points from throughout the episode.

Links & Resources:

• Email Gary: gary@garydanoff.com

• Gary Danoff LinkedIn

• LHH LinkedIn

• Susan Mondi Bowen LinkedIn

• Thrive Yoga LLC Website

• Thrive Yoga LLC LinkedIn

• John Perkins - Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

I am honestly so excited to share this week’s episode because it’s one that stuck with me long after we finished recording. If you have ever faced a layoff or felt the pressure of a ticking clock, you will definitely want to tune in to this conversation!

My guest for this episode, Namrata Kulkarni, is a highly skilled data architect and business intelligence engineer who came to the U.S. in 2015 to pursue her master’s degree at Syracuse University. Like many immigrants, her journey has not been easy, but it has shaped her into the person whom she is today, and after eight years with the same company, Namrata was laid off while on an H1B visa, which meant that she had only sixty days to land a new role or risk losing her right to stay in the country!

This is pressure which most of us cannot imagine, but what really personally struck me was how Namrata responded. She skipped the shock and jumped straight into action, choosing gratitude over resentment. In her own words, “The layoff didn’t happen to me—it happened for me.” I honestly had to pause when she said that because how often do any of us reframe setbacks that way?!

Listen in as Namrata opens up about the challenges of job hunting for the first time outside of her company, relearning how to interview, and wrestling with whether or not to tell her family that she had been laid off.

There is also a vulnerable moment in which she talks about the well-meaning but unhelpful things people say such as “I’m so sorry” which simply don’t land the way people tend to think that they do. (Speaking as someone who’s been laid off more than once, I personally felt that deeply.)

What is especially inspiring here is not just that she landed one job offer but TWO in a job market that is anything but stable right now, and she did it by focusing on what was in her control - preparation, mindset, and leaning on the relationships that she had built over the years.

If you are facing uncertainty, dealing with a career change, and/or supporting someone who is, you will definitely take something away from this episode, and if you haven’t yet, I also highly recommend that you check out or revisit episode 43 of the show in which I speak with Rebecca Reeder, a pastor-turned-AI analyst who offers yet another incredible career story! Thanks for listening and being part of these conversations!

Episode Highlights:

[2:02] - Namrata reveals that she has been in the data industry for almost 10 years.

[4:42] - Speak from the heart, and don't expect anything back.[5:41] - Hear how, moving to the U.S. in 2015, Namrata grew independent and grateful for her journey.

[8:13] - Embracing her layoff, Namrata felt gratitude, trusting her instincts and cherishing SCOR’s support.

[11:04] - Namrata shares how her colleagues’ support affirmed her skills, inspiring her to seek new opportunities.

[12:24] - I point out how the layoff was a chance for Namrata to reinvent herself.

[13:13] - Thanks to support and extra preparation time, Namrata took on interviews under intense pressure.

[16:20] - Hear how Namrata overcame shame and networked tirelessly.

[17:45] - Refining her skills and her resume, Namrata trusted the universe while pushing through interview anxiety.

[20:03] - Truly believing that she was the right fit, Namrata practiced relentlessly until confidence replaced interview anxiety.

[22:40] - Namrata argues that performing well requires pursuing what truly excites and energizes you.

[25:25] - Starting at Amazon feels surreal for Namrata, with her focus now on learning and effectively contributing.

[26:38] - Life’s serendipity often redirects plans.[28:15] - Namrata credits her network in helping her land interviews, proving that referrals and support make a difference.

Links & Resources:

• Email Gary: gary@garydanoff.com

• Gary Danoff LinkedIn

• LHH LinkedIn

• Namrata Kulkarni LinkedIn
  What’s Next Now! - “From Pastor to AI Ethicist”

Today’s conversation is with Carlos Santana, a remarkable individual.  I've had the privilege of knowing Carlos for a couple of years through our involvement in Google VetNet panels during Veteran's Day week, and every time we talk, I'm inspired by his story.

Carlos’ career is nothing short of extraordinary. Starting as a captain in the Army after graduating from West Point, his path took unexpected turns, leading him to diverse assignments, including counter-narcotics operations and managing satellites in Germany. Today, he holds a pivotal role as the Director of Business Analytics at the Disney Company in New York City.

Throughout our conversation, Carlos shares the twists and turns that guided his career choices, emphasizing how he has had to manage uncertainty. He highlights the blend of volunteering, luck, and determination that brought him to where he is today, and we dive deep into the challenges faced by veterans transitioning into civilian life, especially in the technology and entertainment sectors.

Carlos sheds light on the progress made in fostering diversity and inclusion, emphasizing the pivotal role of aligning personal interests with organizational culture. His insights on continuous learning, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning, are invaluable for anyone navigating the evolving landscape of technology.

Join me as we explore Carlos Santana's remarkable journey, filled with strategic choices, personal growth, and the unwavering commitment to delivering value. This episode is a testament to the power of seizing opportunities, continuous education, and finding the right team that invests in your growth. Carlos's story is a masterclass in carving out your path in the corporate world so you can manage your uncertainty and thrive! 

Episode Highlights: 

[01:38] - Carlos shares how he navigated military assignments, luck, and networking to transition into federal consulting.

[3:01] - Carlos honed interview skills, adapting military experience to civilian job market demands.

[4:26] - During uncertainty, Carlos seized opportunities, landed an embassy project, pursued the MBA, and pivoted to the commercial sector.

[6:01] - Carlos argues that any degree opens doors, facilitating opportunities and networking for career growth.

[7:26] - Identify gaps, address challenges, leverage education, and seize opportunities for strategic career growth.

[10:38] - Carlos emphasizes addressing diversity gaps, leveraging military networks, and offering coaching support for professional growth.

[13:22] - Carlos values ongoing training, certification, and practical experience for career advancement and resume building.

[15:03] - Carlos feels that understanding business context is key; focus on role, manager, and personal growth.

[16:56] - Carlos encourages us to evaluate company culture, team support, and growth plans.

[19:06] - What’s next now for Carlos?

Links & Resources:

• Schedule Listening Time with https://www.garydanoff.com/contact

• Gary Danoff LinkedIn

I am joined today by my good friend and former colleague Jody Ramsammy, who shares insights into his journey from growing up in South Africa during challenging times to pursuing the American dream.

He also talks about his transition from a successful corporate career to launching his own business, Vivid Presents, focused on creating immersive and inclusive experiential events.

Jody emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment, even in our tech-driven world, and he discusses his mission to make everyone feel like a VIP at his events and his commitment to affordability and inclusivity.

He, in addition, shares his passion for writing and his upcoming book Control Alt Delete, which delves into various life lessons and experiences.

Throughout the conversation, Jody reflects on his diverse influences and his journey from a hustle culture mindset to a more balanced “thrive culture,” going on to discuss the impact of culture on our lives and how he aims to help others through the book and his experiential events.

I hope that you will join the conversation as we dive into Jody's inspiring story and explore what's next now for him on the horizon!

Episode Highlights: 

[0:13] - Gary pays tribute to his late uncle Alvin.

[1:45] - We learn that today's guest is Jody Ramsammy of Vivid Presents.

[3:43] - Jody argues that emotions are fleeting and are not our identity.

[5:53] - Jody shares his life journey from South Africa to chasing the American dream.

[6:53] - Jody co-founded "The Presents" to reinvent arts and entertainment events.

[8:50] - Jody explains the name Vivid Presents.

[10:17] - Jody shares how he always enhances events with innovative and immersive elements.

[13:09] - Learn about how Jody fosters a comfortable and inclusive atmosphere by offering affordable pizza and burgers.

[14:16] - Jody's mission stems from his experience with apartheid and focuses on inclusivity and affordability.

[16:28] - Jody is expanding events globally, with current locations in Vancouver.

[19:04] - Jody plans to expand to various locations, focusing on the East Coast and Midwest.

[20:30] - Jody is developing immersive events that blend physical and digital experiences.

[22:55] - Jody plans tech MVP, user testing, and a project jokingly called Entropy.[

25:41] - Hear how Jody recognizes the cultural and technological pressure to induce FOMO.

[26:15] - Jody explains how he came up with the #ourtimetoshine hashtag.

[28:19] - Jody reveals how TV characters fueled his imagination and aspirations.

[30:44] - Jody finds motivation in a quote about underdogs overcoming disparities.

[32:26] - Jody emphasizes post-pandemic challenges for diverse musicians.

[34:00] - After a life-changing realization, Jody began writing Control Alt Delete.

[37:01] - Hear why Jody's book's upcoming Thanksgiving release is symbolic to him.

[40:39] - What's next now for Jody?

Links & Resources:

• Schedule Listening Time with https://www.garydanoff.com/contact

• Gary Danoff LinkedIn

• Jody Ramsammy LinkedIn

• Jody Ramsammy Instagram

• Vivid Presents Website

• Vivid Presents Instagram

• Email jody@vividpresents.com 

Make it stick:  your message and your presence. How do you do that these days?  I’m not even talking about LinkedIn or other social media. How about when you are actually face to face with another person? With all the competing requirements for their attention-some known and many unknown to you-how do you build a relationship with someone that sticks?

I found some answers to these questions in the third and final conversation from my mini-series discussion  with Nick Sinai and Marina Nitze, authors of the book Hack Your Bureaucracy: Get Things Done No Matter What Your Role on Any Team, a book that I found so poignant and captivating.

Marina, former Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Nick, a key player in the Obama administration, share their insights into building authentic relationships within large organizations, including the government. They emphasize the importance of understanding people's motivations, fears, and career aspirations (something I call, MFC) to help them achieve their goals. 

Throughout my own career in sales, leadership and coaching the golden rule is to understand the MFC and express a sincere appreciation to each person who chooses to share. Across multiple relationships, this begins to form a web of people who become connected and willing to reach a new goal. Whether inside or outside the company or agency, they become willing to work through disagreements to achieve results and many times to create what often becomes a great new service, product or company. One of my takeaways from the book is that the awareness of MFC and then putting it into action are the foundation for Making It Stick whether practiced individually or by a team. 

We highlight Marina’s incredibly innovative "Grilled Cheese Club” (yes, you can form one too!) approach where individuals from different parts of an organization come together to foster collaboration and understanding, overcoming bureaucratic obstacles in a low-key and informal way. Best to do this in person if possible and don’t forget the cheese! 

The discussion turns to the provocative concept of "stabbing people in the chest,” which in practice is nothing like what it sounds like. It means being open and honest with detractors about disagreements to build trust and transparency so that when it does come time to gain agreement on an initiative or program, you can make it stick. In practice, this means navigating bureaucratic challenges and fostering relationships, even with those with whom we disagree. Think about the last part of that sentence: ‘even with those with whom we disagree’. As I work with coaching clients, customers and partners, I have learned something really inspiring:  the art of disagreeing and then reaching compromise is something many people crave to learn more about and practice in their life and work. 

In addition, our discussion touches upon the value of playing the long game and exploring career opportunities that go beyond just traditional paths, where Nick and Marina stress the importance of earning trust and demonstrating excellence before taking such leaps. In my own career as well as those of clients, this is the number one rule and we pair it up to the practice of, ‘give to get’. 

I hope that you will join the conversation as we wrap up this mini-series and as Marina Nitze and Nick Sinai provide valuable lessons on navigating bureaucracy and driving change, all while leaving a meaningful impact on organizations and society.

Links & Resources:

• Schedule Listening Time with https://www.garydanoff.com/contact

• Gary Danoff LinkedIn

• Hack Your Bureaucracy - Website

• What’s Next Now - “Hack Your Bureaucracy Show #1: Defining and Learning About Your Bureaucracy”

• What’s Next Now - “Pitching and momentum: learn it, do it, love it!”

Following up on this three-part mini-series with Nick Sinai and Marina Nitze, I bring you part 2 from their book Hack Your Bureaucracy.  I have to say, this book has truly struck a chord with me. The stories are compelling and based on wisdom gained from hacking bureaucracies in both the private and public sectors. What really sets it apart is its practical approach; at the end of each chapter, there are actionable takeaways that bridge the gap between theory and real-world implementation. 

It's like a workbook that tells you exactly how to apply what you've learned! The content applies to getting things done no matter what your role on any team (starting, growing, scaling). 

In this episode, we are delving into some really incredible stories from the book focused on pitching and momentum-crafting your message and gaining support. 

One that especially caught my attention was Marina's journey with a paperclip and bar code readers (yes, true) at the Department of Veterans Affairs, a testament to how small innovations can spark significant change within a complex system. 

Nick discusses the tremendous staying power of the one-pager. We also discuss adapting to shifts in leadership and aligning pitches with evolving visions from new leaders to maintain momentum. It's about finding common ground and speaking the language that resonates with decision-makers.

The next part of the discussion coming to you in September will focus on the critical aspect of building and sustaining change to achieve tangible results. We are going to pull it all together in this final show of the series. 

Please subscribe to get advance notification of the release along with other curated content from me.  You can reach me here if you want to discuss a topic.

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly being hit with obstacles getting in the way of your goals? No matter what you do to achieve your goal, sometimes you run into a wall - that wall being a bureaucracy. Sound familiar? If so, you're going to want to listen to this episode. So many of us are often contending with bureaucracies, and today’s guests  discuss how to reach your goals regardless of the role you hold today!

I had the amazing opportunity to talk with Nick Sinai and Marina Nitze. Both have held roles in The White House, other high level roles in government and today in private industry as well as education and non-profit and private equity. As  authors of Hack Your Bureaucracy, Nick and Marina have plenty to share about hacking your bureaucracy and how to create outsized impact with limited resources!

I am recording a three-show series over the summer.  The show today is about how to get started-which is with defining and learning about your bureaucracy-and covers topics like:

• Figure out the Real Org Chart

• Be Your Own Customer

• Try the Normal Way First

• Play the Newbie Card

• Beware the Obvious Answer

These concepts will light you up with ideas and inspiration you can apply to your own bureaucracy hacking-whether you are a founder, working inside a company, launching a new leadership role for yourself or other major career transition. 

The concepts and frameworks discussed on the show in and the book apply equally to an entrepreneur, services delivery business and leaders in large organizations.
We are all hacking through bureaucracies these days in new ways. We work with  financial providers, supply chain partners, contract workers and sales partners in hybrid and in-person environments. There are so many more bureaucracies to work with versus against these days and Nick and Marina provide invaluable insights and practices for doing so! Listen to Hack Your Bureaucracy:  Defining and Learning About Your Bureaucracy

It's incredible how just three simple words, "I see you," can profoundly impact our business and personal relationships. As leaders-whether starting a company, leading a division or playing a key member role-it's crucial to understand the value of these words. Using them effectively can create deeper connections with those around us:  customers, colleagues and strategic partners and these deeper connections are crucial in this environment. Inspiration for the story today came from a personal experience when I was the first to arrive on a video call (one of several in a row). As I asked if anyone could see me, another guest responded and included those three magic words, "Yes, Gary. I see you." It left a lasting impression and showed me the power of acknowledging someone's presence much more profoundly than, ‘yes, I’ll be right there’. Or, ‘running just a minute late, hang on please’. Right!

But "I see you" is more than just a physical acknowledgment. It's about recognizing someone's worth and building stronger relationships. In South Africa's Northern Natal region, the tribes greet each other with "Sawubona," which means "I see you." It's about acknowledging someone's value beyond their physical being. It's about  more than words of politeness, Sawubona carries the importance of recognizing the worth and dignity of each person. Wow. So I began to wonder:  is there a way to bring the value and weight of this saying into the digital domain? Can the depth of this greeting be useful in a business setting? Can this greeting help us with our humanness as distinct from our AI? 

To answer these questions I created four pillars to help you harness the power of "I see you" in your business and personal life (which are inextricably connected), and they are;I.   Seeing and Leading Yourself (how you show up in business online and in person),

II.  Leading others, three behaviors are key to a leader who is ‘seen’ and ‘sees others’,

III. Expanding your organizational impact by educating and influencing others, 

IV. Expanding your career by seeing others and creating your portable tribe. 

By recognizing someone's worth and connecting with them on a deeper level-even in business settings-you can turbocharge your communication and transform your relationships in ways you might never have dared imagine, and there create unusually high business impact.  

In a day and time when we are all both excited and yet anxious about integrating the many roles of AI into helping us be our best human beings, we hold the absolute power in our unique human form of recognizing the value in each other, one person at a time. We can truly see what no machine can see. 

Let's make those around us feel more fully seen with the power of "I see you," and join me on this journey to see and be seen!

Links & Resources:

• Schedule Free Listening Time with Gary@GaryDanoff.com

• Gary Danoff LinkedIn

• I See You Lolly Daskal

• The Relaxation Response

• Decoding Leadership: What Really Matters

Layoffs happen. Most likely, you either have already or will experience a layoff during your career. When they occur, you have no control over when or how they happen. Being blindsided by a layoff can be devastating, depending on how prepared you may be to handle it.

I've worked at 7 seven companies where layoffs occurred and have been laid off at 4 of those companies. I've also had to be the person to carry out the layoffs and terminate people. Being on both sides of the layoff, I have been taught the value of always being prepared; always having a parachute if you get pushed out of the airplane while in flight.

Being prepared means knowing how to Pack Your Parachute and carry it with you at all times ready if you get laid off, change companies, or if funding dries up. In the show today I walk you through:

1. Dealing with the loss and grief of being laid off, losing friends and colleagues.

2. How to move into grief, including a breathing exercise, during the initial loss.

3. The three steps of packing your parachute which include rest and recovery, re-connecting and then finally reformulating yourself in a new way and restarting your career.

I also talk about the inside company re-connection and how a "side hustle" within your company can be beneficial.

Ultimately, packing your parachute builds the muscle of resilience–the core strength needed to use your parachute one or more times over the course of your career!

Episode Highlights:

[04:35] As of this recording, Google has just laid off 12,000 people. Microsoft also laid off 10,000 people. Before that, Amazon also laid off a large number of people.

[05:13] Layoffs aren't uncommon. They are cyclical. This is why people need to be able to pack their own parachute.

[05:41] It's also important to be where you are and grieve the loss.

[06:27] The five stages of grief include shock and denial, anger, depression, detachment, and the final stage of acceptance.

[08:28] You can invoke the eight second breathing technique to deal with these stages of grief.

[08:52] Inhale for eight seconds. Hold your breath for one second. Exhale for eight seconds.

[09:10] This is about the amount of time that it takes to shift your body from the sympathetic or fight or flight reaction to parasympathetic which takes you out of the fight or flight.

[12:11] You have to rest and recover before you move on to anything else when packing your parachute. Develop a practice of rest and recovery throughout the day.

[13:21] When you move on to dialogue and bargaining and reaching out to others is when you begin to reconnect. You begin to appreciate your new opportunity to move forward.

[14:55] I share a story about when I wanted to move from selling hardware to software after a layoff.

[17:07] The “inside the company” reconnection. This is a side hustle inside the company. I want to be connected across disciplines and operating units. It's an opportunity to go deeper and wider inside the company.

[18:42] The final stage of grief is acceptance. This is when you restructure and restart who and how you are going to be in the career portion of your life.

[19:33] The layoff may have actually been a bit of a gift and an opening. Use this time to reformat and restructure your work.

[20:08] Ultimately, packing your parachute builds the muscle of resilience.

Links & Resources:

• Schedule Free Listening Time with Gary@GaryDanoff.com

Have you taken a leap lately? Many of us want to take a leap-in our business or personal lives-or may even be forced to these days? These leaps can come as unexpected shocks or amazing opportunities to invent something brand new for ourselves! I took a leap recently by having Gay Hendricks on What’s Next Now and want to share our energetic conversation with you.

I call Gay Hendricks ‘a life practitioner’ and ‘holder-back of nothing’. I’ve just been on a three-plus month journey diving into some of his work, including The Big Leap, The Genius Zone, and Conscious Luck. If you aren’t already familiar with his work, you’ll be on the road to becoming a fan after listening to this episode. He shares so much wisdom on work, life, and relationships and the surprising intersection of all three.

We kick off the show by talking about the critical importance of breath as a gateway to our emotions. We learn about how in the bedroom, the living room and the boardroom things work basically the same way. Most of us have an allergy to things going well for a very long time.  Gay discusses how we can conquer self-sabotage and get back on track to overcome our upper limit problem (ULP) and actually achieve all we hope to and then some. Gay also shares how to discover your genius zone and the mindset shift that can create conscious luck. This is a great episode filled with life-changing wisdom. So go ahead:  Take a Leap today by listening to this episode on What’s Next Now!

Links & Resources:

• Schedule Free Listening Time with Gary@GaryDanoff.com
• Hendricks Institute
• The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level
• The Genius Zone: The Breakthrough Process to End Negative Thinking and Live in True Creativity
• Conscious Loving: The Journey to Co-Committment
• Conscious Breathing: Breathwork for Health, Stress Release and Personal Mastery
• Conscious Luck: Eight Secrets to Intentionally Change Your Fortune
• Gay Hendricks Facebook
• Gay Hendricks LinkedIn
• Hearts in Harmony with Katie and Gay Hendricks Facebook
• Hearts In Harmony Twitter
• Hendricks Institute YouTube
• Gay Hendricks Instagram
• The Big Leap Podcast