CW: Mentions of suicidality.

In the third grade, LeDerick Horne was labeled as “neurologically impaired” – a label that followed him through his schooling until he was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. Today, LeDerick is a dynamic spoken-word poet, a respected author, and a passionate advocate for people with disabilities. He has performed at prestigious venues such as the White House and the United Nations. His workshops, speeches and poetry open doors to discussions on inclusive education, equal opportunity, systemic change, and hope for individuals with disabilities.

During this episode, LeDerick talks about:

• The challenges he faced in K-12 special education, before being diagnosed as dyslexic
• What inspired him to go to college – and how the meaningful support and inclusive education he got there helped him thrive as a student 
• Discovering his passion for poetry, which led to his career as a spoken-word poet and author
• His work as a speaker and trainer on the topics of inclusive education and the intersections of education, disability and race
• Co-hosting the Black and Dyslexic podcast

Stay tuned to the end of this episode to hear LeDerick read two of his poems!

Find out more about LeDerick at his website LeDerick.com, find his social media and more on his LinkTree, and learn about his new video course "6 Steps to Empowering Young People with Disabilities."

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Jack Pabich is a Quality Assurance Support Analyst who found his current job through an autism employment program run by CAI Neurodiverse Solutions. He is responsible for processing requests of potential conflicts of interest, ensuring parties are correctly assigned to the location within the database, and rearranging information to improve database efficiency. Jack’s attention to detail is his biggest strength and he uses it to proactively streamline tasks. In his free time, he enjoys being active with various sporting activities and spending time with friends.

During this episode, you will hear Jack talk about:

• How the autism employment program helped him find work after college
• The work he does at his current employer, and how it leverages his strengths and helps him learn new things and grow as a leader
• His working relationships with his coworkers and managers 
• The type of work he wants to do in the future

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations. These episodes are for informational purposes only and do not substitute for professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment.*

Aashna Parikh is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant and inclusive marketing specialist based in India. Living with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities, she has consulted and collaborated with Forbes-listed and Fortune 500 companies across diverse sectors such as Fintech, Sustainability, Agriculture, and Technology. A strong advocate for neurodiversity, disability, and gender, she examines these issues through an intersectional lens.  

During this episode, you will hear Aashna talk about:

• What was it like growing up and going to school with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities
• Living with disabilities in a world where people tell her she “doesn’t look disabled”
• The type of work that she does as a DEI consultant
• Her thoughts on DEI through an intersectional lens
• How DEI is addressed in different countries
• Her advice for requesting accommodations at work and in job interviews

Connect with Aashna on LinkedIn or via email at aashnacparikh at gmail.com .

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

If your employees spent their workdays engrossed in colorful LEGO® bricks, what would you think?

If you're David Kokai, you'd probably think that business is good! 

David founded a company devoted to the LEGO® secondary market when he left the corporate world to start WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB), a LEGO® parts dealer. WLWYB operates their breakthrough platform, MOCHUB, which allows LEGO® builders to share their work and make money with their creations.

WLWYB is a neurodiverse workplace that employs autistic people in key parts of their business, and recognizes that the diversity within their teams makes their company stronger.

During this episode, David and Lili talk about:

• How David’s interest in data science inspired him to start a LEGO®-focused business
• Why they decided to create a neurodiverse and autism-friendly work environment at their company
• How they recruit and employ autistic people in key parts of their business and build a work environment that is safe, effective and a great place to grow for all of their employees
• How they adjusted their business operations during the pandemic lockdown with almost no interruptions in orders
• Advice for people who want to start their dream company

To find out more about WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD, visit their official website wlwyb.com and connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. You can also contact David and Lili through the contact us page on the WLWYB website.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

More about David Kokai, Founder of WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB):

David Kokai is the founder of WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB). He studied economics at the Corvinus University of Budapest (former University of Economics Budapest) and graduated from the University of Vienna.

He had been working in the IT sector at leading multinational companies for more than a decade in several managing roles based in Budapest and Vienna. After getting acquainted with the secondary market for LEGO® in 2010, he opened a LEGO® parts dealership called WE LOVE WHAT YOU BUILD (WLWYB). WLWYB's business innovation is that it has placed its operations in this segment in a unique way in the world based on strong data science, supporting key enterprise functions with a comprehensive, custom-developed business intelligence system; such as purchasing, inventory management, and pricing.

As a result of many years of systematic building, in addition to its position in the secondary market of LEGO®, WLWYB opened the world’s first marketplace in 2018 specializing in bespoke LEGO® creations, called MOCHUB. MOCHUB provides an opportunity for emerging and professional LEGO® builders to receive a royalty from the sale of the models they design. MOCHUB sold many thousands of bespoke LEGO® kits around the world in its first year of operation. After several years of work, the company became an autism friendly workplace in 2019.

Kevin M. Yates is a learning & development leader with a career spanning 20+ years, a sought-after expert in the field of learning measurement, a global public speaker and e-book author... and as a Black man living and working in the U.S., he sometimes feels he is mistakenly seen as a "unicorn."

On this episode, Kevin talks about what he means by “unicorn” and how it relates to his experiences as a Black man living and working in the United States. He speaks candidly about the impact of race in his professional and personal life. We also talk about how the racial and social justice movements of 2020 have further inspired Kevin to live in authenticity by being transparent about his whole self and experiences, because as he puts it, “living in duality is too much work.”

Find out more about Kevin on his website, on Facebook, on Instagram, on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on YouTube.

Get your free copy of Kevin’s e-book, “L&D Detective Kit for Solving Impact Mysteries©”

Listen to my previous Beyond 6 Seconds interview with Kevin (episode 61) about how he created his dream career after a layoff.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Elaine Montilla is an accomplished senior executive who has been an IT leader in higher education for two decades. As an immigrant, Latina, lesbian woman, Elaine has overcome many challenges to build her successful IT career. She is currently Chief Information Officer and Assistant Vice President for Information Technology at The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, a Forbes Technology Council member and contributor, and an AMA Women’s Leadership Center presenter.

Elaine is also a TEDx speaker and the founder of 5xminority.com, a company and social media brand dedicated to empowering women and minorities, especially in tech, with a mission to demonstrate how businesses can be powerful platforms for social change. 

During this episode, you will hear Elaine talk about:

• What inspired her to start 5xminority.com
• Her story of moving from the Dominican Republic to New York and discovering her interest in IT while attending college, where she learned English and programming language at the same time
• How her first job working in a restaurant kickstarted her IT career
• The obstacles she overcome to build a successful IT career in the US as an immigrant, female, Latina, lesbian human being… and how she battled imposter syndrome while advancing in her career
• Why you can’t believe everything you think, and how challenging your own thoughts is critical to overcoming imposter syndrome and unconscious bias
• How important it is for your career development to "be comfortable being uncomfortable” and have difficult conversations
• Why it is important for leaders to admit their mistakes and to be vulnerable

Learn more about Elaine and her work at 5xminority.com and on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Watch Elaine’s TEDx talk: The Value of Mentoring Women and Minorities in Tech

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Courtney Stewart is the Founder and CEO of LipRevolt, a cosmetics brand specializing in lipstick that promotes social activism. Through LipRevolt, Courtney aims to inspire people to fight for what they believe in and to speak up for others. LipRevolt donates 15 percent of its net profits to organizations that support women’s rights, civil rights, and LGBTQ rights. Courtney started her career in public service after receiving her BA in Political Science from Spelman College and MS in Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy from American University.

Content Warning: This episode contains mentions of sexual assault and abuse, and an incident of racism and violence.

During this episode, you will hear Courtney talk about:

• How her personal experiences, the #metoo movement and the importance of using your voice inspired the creation of LipRevolt 
• Why she decided to support nonprofits with her own business' profits
• How she learned to run a beauty business as a newcomer to the beauty industry
• Her future plans for LipRevolt, and why the month of March is significant to her

Find out more about LipRevolt on LipRevolt.com, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. If there is a nonprofit that you want to see LipRevolt support, you can message your recommendation to the Instagram account.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Heneka Watkis-Porter is an entrepreneur, coach, 5x author and international speaker. As the host of The Entrepreneurial You Podcast, she has interviewed Richard Branson, John Lee Dumas, Seth Godin and many other influencers. Heneka is also the creator of the Caribbean’s first virtual conference and expo: The Entrepreneurial You Virtual SME Conference & Expo. She hosts Leadercast events in Jamaica and writes for the Leadercast blog and Thrive Global.

During this episode, Heneka shares her experience and advice about what makes a leader worth following, including:

• What she learned about leadership from starting her own business
• The importance of sharing feedback and showing vulnerability as a leader
• Her experience with burnout, how she recovered, and why it’s important to make time for self-care (especially for leaders)
• How she gets opportunities to interview famous leadership experts on her podcast – and what makes their advice so powerful
• How mentors can help entrepreneurs and other leaders succeed

To learn more about Heneka and her work, you can find her on her official website henekawatkisporter.com where you can contact her directly on WhatsApp. You can also listen to her podcast, The Entrepreneurial You, and visit her social media on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

Learn more about how to attend Heneka’s “Slow Down & Live: Health Is Wealth” summit in January 2021.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

On the Beyond 6 Seconds end of year episode for 2020, host Carolyn Kiel talks with fellow podcaster Laura Joyce Davis, the host of the Shelter in Place podcast. We discuss our experiences podcasting in 2020: how it has helped us cope with the challenges and isolation of this year, inspired our creativity, and allowed us to make connections and share powerful stories. Plus, we discover our mutual background in a cappella singing, and how it impacts the way we podcast!

Listen to Laura’s podcast, Shelter in Place, at shelterinplacepodcast.info.

Learn more about the things we reference during this episode:

• Goodnight America (song by Miko Marks) 
• Podcast conferences: She Podcasts Live Conference and Werk It Festival 
• The MetropoliTones (Carolyn’s a cappella singing group) 
• Laura’s solo song from her a cappella group (Tangled Up in Blue) that was included in the Best of College A Cappella 2002 collection. 

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Jenny Delacruz is a Haitian-American writer, a licensed counselor and the founder of Cobbs Creek Publishing. She is a wife and mom of 2 boys. Born and raised in New York, she has always been aware of the importance of diversity and how each person has a story that weaves back to generations.

Jenny’s passion for teaching her children about world history and current events led her to pursue writing and launch her own educational children’s book series. She has written 2 picture books, "Fridays With Ms. Mélange: Haiti" and "Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight?" which helps children cope with the impact of COVID-19. She recently released her first nonfiction book for adults called "How Was Your Summer? Fostering Critical Conversations with Students." It’s a guide for parents and teachers to nurture mental health in kids from grades K-12.

During this episode, you will hear Jenny talk about:

• How she wrote her first book for her son who wanted to learn more about Haiti, which led her to start Cobbs Creek Publishing
• Her advice on how to talk to kids about tough topics in an age-appropriate way
• How her youngest son inspired her to write “Momma, Can I Sleep with You Tonight?”
• How she uses social media to increase her books’ reach and accessibility
• Her future plans for writing and publishing

You can find out more about Cobbs Creek Publishing at cobbscreekpublishing.com, on Instagram, on YouTube, and on Facebook.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

"Are you happy in your heart?"

My next guest, Sarah Worlton, first began hearing this question while volunteering during a humanitarian expedition in Guatemala. More than a decade later, Sarah has led numerous humanitarian expeditions to villages in Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico and Nepal. She also hosts the "Are You Happy In Your Heart?" podcast, which was inspired by what her volunteer work has taught her about life, purpose and happiness.

On this episode, Sarah shares how her humanitarian work and the challenges of 2020 have helped her grow as a person and led her to become a public speaker, podcaster and life coach.

To find out more about Sarah and her podcast, visit her official website www.sarahjworlton.com or her Instagram @sjworlton.  

Special offer: Through the end of 2020, Sarah is offering free 30-minute life coaching sessions for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners! Email her at sarah.worlton at gmail.com for more information.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript, including the poem that Sarah mentions in this episode.

Lena Cohen-Hawkins is an international speaker, powerhouse business consultant, three-time author, and corporate trainer. As a master’s level clinician and executive coach, Lena counsels people on how to access, understand, and regulate emotions, in order to excel in the real world and find fulfillment in their careers and personal lives. She has worked with companies like CBS, Prudential Financial, United Way and The United States Army, and has shared her story on the TED Talks stage.

During this episode, Lena and I talk about her third book, “Brilliant Resilience,” which was published in July 2020, including:

• How a surprise phone call from an old friend made her new book her passion project for 2020
• How she turned a major disappointment in her career into a new start
• How her self-awareness and faith allowed her to move forward in the face of trauma, loss and disappointment
• How sometimes, support comes from the most unlikely places

To find out more about Lena and her work, you can find her on her official website, lenacohen.com. You can also buy her book, “Brilliant Resilience”, on Amazon, and connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

We often talk about "finding your passion" in life ... but what happens when you find your passion, and then you feel it fade away? Where do you go from there?

According to Ryan Mason, you find a different dream and make it come true.

Ryan is the Founder and CEO of two successful businesses. The first is Luxe Brand, America's leading luxury shoelace provider, which has been featured on Good Morning America, the NFL Network, in Foot Locker stores, and on more than 30 athletes and celebrities -- and the other is BizBuzz, which provides integrated marketing automation software and services for more than 250 small and medium-sized businesses. Yahoo recently named Ryan one of its Top 12 Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2020.

During this episode, you will hear Ryan talk about:

• His promising early football career -- and why it came to an end during his college years
• How an Instagram post set him on the path to building his new creative business idea -- and the hard work and focus it took to make his idea a reality
• How Luxe Brand captured the attention of celebrities, the media and Foot Locker
• The people who have mentored and supported Ryan throughout his career journey
• How repeatable processes and unique marketing tactics helped Ryan's companies grow

To find out more about Ryan and his work, visit his official website or the websites for his companies Luxe Brand and BizBuzz. Additionally, you can connect with Ryan on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Ryan's new book, The Digital Playbook, is now available for pre-order -- and for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners, he is offering free marketing tools to the first 100 people who preorder the book and fill out the "Get Started For Free" form on the BizBuzz website.

Watch the video of this episode on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Martina Kuzenski is a late-diagnosed autistic woman who received her autism diagnosis at age 28 near the end of her Master’s degree program. She is an IT Specialist for the U.S. federal government. She shares her experiences as a Black autistic woman in tech as a mentor for the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program and as a co-author of the best-selling book “Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career”. 

During this episode, Martina talks about:

• Discovering that she is autistic in her late twenties, and what her life was like growing up
• How she got into a tech career 
• Her experience of not being “seen” in the tech industry as a Black autistic woman
• The importance of mentorship, and why she decided to become a P-TECH program mentor
• The challenges she has faced when trying to find leadership programs for neurodivergent people
• Why she doesn’t feel “autistic enough” in autistic spaces, and the flaws she sees in the neurodiversity movement

Connect with Martina on LinkedIn and read her writing on 
Diary of Self (Martina's blog posts about neurodiversity) and her book "Ladies in Tech: Sharing Expertise for a Successful Career." 

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Rebekah Bastian is the CEO & Co-founder of OwnTrail, an online platform that connects, mentors and empowers women as they share their personal and professional journeys and experiences. Previously, Rebekah was Vice President of Product and Vice President of Community and Culture at Zillow. She is the author of the book “Blaze Your Own Trail,” a contributor to Forbes and a frequent speaker on social impact, career navigation and corporate diversity.

During this episode, you will hear Rebekah talk about:

• How she grew her career at Zillow, and how her experiences there helped inspire her to write her book and create OwnTrail
• Why so many women are still not getting the mentoring support they need, and how OwnTrail helps address this problem by providing access to "micro-acts of mentorship" that women may not otherwise receive
• How OwnTrail is different from other online networking sites
• Why it’s important for women to share both their personal and professional journeys with each other

Find out more about OwnTrail at www.owntrail.com and on social media: @owntrail on Instagram, @OwnTrail on Twitter, @BlazeYourOwnTrail on Facebook and OwnTrail on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Rebekah at @rebekah.bastian on Instagram, @rebekah_bastian on Twitter, and Rebekah Bastian on LinkedIn.

Rebekah and Carolyn have published their own OwnTrails! See what they look like here and here.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

DeAndre Wilson is the creator of the Keep Rolling Campaign, a fundraising platform that commemorates his father’s life and helps nonprofits and families battling cancer who need some extra financial assistance. He is currently working on a documentary to tell his father’s story and his story, and describe his health transformation from rolling a 230-pound tractor tire around the city of Evansville, Indiana.

During this episode, DeAndre shares:

• The story behind the tractor tire, and how it became a way to honor his father's legacy
• How his "roll-arounds" have attracted both positive and negative attention
• How rolling the tire has helped him with his health transformation
• How he uses the attention he gets with the tire to raise cancer funding and awareness

Follow DeAndre, his fundraising campaigns, and learn more about his upcoming documentary with the links down below!

Twitter: @DeAndreDWilson and @keep_rolling812

Instagram: @deandredwilson

LinkedIn: DeAndre Wilson

Facebook: Keep Rolling Campaign

Check out the teaser clip for DeAndre’s upcoming documentary.

We're also on YouTube! Click here to watch the video of this interview.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Is it ever too late to find and follow your passion? According to Connie Inukai, passion has no expiration date. At age 72, she calls herself a "Grandmapreneur.”

After retiring from her teaching career at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, Connie invented a product called Tip ‘n Split, a handheld device with magnifier, light, tip calculator, and bill splitter. Her book, "How I Got My Product on QVC, The Today Show, The View, and More...in Retirement" has helped inventors get publicity for their inventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she has used the time in lockdown to chronicle her life story for her grandchildren, and now helps others write their stories through her latest project, "Write Your Selfie."

During this episode, you will hear Connie talk about:

• The story behind the creation of the Tip 'n Split
• How she learned about inventing, and the challenges she faced with manufacturing
• How she got on QVC’s radar before she even had a prototype of the Tip ‘n Split
• Her family connection to a major historical event, and how she discovered she wasn't the only inventor in the family
• Why she believes that everyone should be able to tell their story

To find out more about Connie and her work, you can check out her website Grandmapreneurinventor.com and the websites for Tip ‘n Split and Write Your Selfie. Follow her on Instagram at @grandmapreneurinventor and she will follow you back!

You can also request a free PDF of Connie’s book by visiting the Write Your Selfie website and clicking the Contact menu. Be sure to mention that you are a Beyond 6 Seconds listener!

We're also on YouTube! Click here to watch the video of this interview.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Bea Spadacini is an activist and writer whose goal is to promote peace and justice by elevating conversations about issues that are often underrepresented in the mainstream media. Originally from Italy, she has lived in the United States for over twenty years and has traveled to Africa and Asia as part of her communications work with humanitarian organizations. Currently she is the Executive Producer and Co-Host of the One in Four Podcast, which focuses on the re-entry process of people who have experienced incarceration.

On this episode, you will hear Bea talk about:

• How her work with Amnesty International made her aware of the issues of mass incarceration and police force against people of color in the U.S., particularly against Black and Latino men – and how it led her to create the One in Four Podcast to highlight the many issues facing formerly incarcerated people who are re-entering society
• The stories of resilience, humanity and community support that she shares on the One in Four Podcast -- and the importance of sharing these stories now
• The challenges of running, funding and marketing an independent podcast

Learn more about the One in Four Podcast at www.oneinfourpodcast.com, on Twitter @Bea_Spadacini and @oneinfourpodcast or by emailing podcastoneinfour at gmail.com.  

You can also support the One in Four Podcast by making a donation or leaving a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Angelica Goncalves is an adult who has lived with dyslexia all her life. She was diagnosed at the age of six. Growing up, people told her she would never succeed or achieve her goals, but with the support of her parents and constant determination, she proved those predictions wrong.

Born and raised in Canada, Angelica attended George Brown College and graduated in Architectural Technology. She worked in the retail/service industry for 13 years, was a personal trainer for 4 years, and currently works in the construction industry. She also hosts a podcast called “A Little Bit of Everything With Me!” Her goal is to show others with learning disabilities that they can achieve their goals too.

During this episode, Angelica shares her story of struggling, living and thriving with a learning disability, including:

• How she realized at a young age that she had a learning disability  
• How her experiences at school hindered her rather than helped her
• How her parents helped her stay the course through her education
• How she finally found her way in the working world with careers that she is passionate about
• Why she created her podcast and how it helped her meet more people like herself

You can find out more about Angelica and her work on her official website, www.everythingwithange.com. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Tiffani Teachey is a Senior Mechanical Engineer, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) advocate, professional speaker, and author of the children's book “What Can I Be? STEM Careers from A to Z.” She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management, both from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As an engineer with more than fifteen years of experience, Tiffani has a passion for inspiring the next generation to engage in STEM careers.

On this episode, you will hear Tiffani talk about:

• What inspired her to write a children’s book about STEM careers
• How she chose STEM careers to match with each letter of the alphabet, and how the “STEM Crew Kids” help children see themselves in each career
• What it’s like to get classrooms of young kids excited about STEM careers
• Her future writing plans for teenagers and young adults

If you want to know more about Tiffani and her work, you can check her out on her official links down below!

Website: www.tiffaniteachey.com

FaceBook: @tiffaniteacheyauthor

FaceBook Group “STEM Books for Kids”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/STEMBooksforKids/

Instagram: @tiffaniteachey

Twitter: @tiffaniteachey

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Denayja Reese is an event strategist, producer & writer who has worked on campaigns with Uber, the San Francisco Giants, Live Nation and Airbnb, as well as on content production at Coachella. Her full-service event production company, Girl With That Laugh Productions, has worked on events including the A3C Festival & Conference and BlackTech Week.  

During this episode, Denayja talks about:

• How she decided to become an entrepreneur
• Overcoming her challenges with self-esteem, mental health and addiction to build a brighter future for herself
• The book she’s been writing during quarantine about her own life story
• What it takes to make positive changes in your life

Learn more about Denayja and her work on her website at gwtlp.com and connect with her on Instagram @girlwiththatlaugh.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Jonathan Javier is the CEO and Founder of Wonsulting, a career consulting company whose mission is to turn underdogs into winners: helping those who come from non-target schools and non-traditional backgrounds get their dream careers at top companies. By leveraging his experience in Strategy & Operations at Google, Snap, & Cisco, and his successful LinkedIn networking strategies, he has provided advice on LinkedIn and through more than 75 speaking engagements in 4 different countries.

On this episode, you will hear Jonathan talk about:

• How he used his LinkedIn network to get job interviews at top companies after graduating from college -- and how he made powerful impressions during the interviews to get hired
• How important it is for job seekers to actually ask for help from fellow professionals and recruiters
• How Wonsulting helps students and professionals get into their dream companies

To get in contact with Jonathan, you can find him on LinkedIn. You can also find out more about Wonsulting at www.wonsulting.com, on Instagram @wonsulting, on LinkedIn or by emailing hello@wonsulting.com. 

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Marcia Moran was a successful business strategist who had been building her business over the last 20+ years. She thought she had life by the tail, but little did she know what was in store.

After suffering a major stroke in 2014 at the age of 53, Marcia applied her skills in planning and strategy as she strived to become whole. In 2019 she published a book about her experience called "Stroke FORWARD," to bring hope to stroke survivors and their caretakers, and share how becoming her own health advocate and exploring holistic methods for healing were keys to her recovery. Marcia speaks and shares her message of hope, inspiration, healing, and a way forward across the country.

During this episode, you will hear Marcia talk about:

• Her experience with her stroke and the challenges she faced during her recovery
• How her husband Jim became her health advocate until she was eventually able to advocate for herself
• How holistic health methods helped her recover from aphasia
• How her book can help stroke survivors and caretakers navigate life after a stroke

To find out more about Marcia and her work, you can check out her official site at strokeforward.com, including some special bonuses for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners! You can also purchase her book here and connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Dan Ram is a 3x entrepreneur, prolific speaker, recording artist and startup coach. The son of an Indian diplomat, he draws inspiration from his eclectic background growing up in 10 countries, and he has actively worked on 5 continents.

Dan is a founder, investor and coach to more than 100 startups in multiple countries. He has advised the Irish National Government on their Entrepreneurship Policy, consulted for multinationals, hosted some of the largest startup events on the planet, mentored at accelerators and facilitated deal flows for investors. He lectures on entrepreneurship and is a regular speaker and emcee in the local and international startup circuit. He has shared the stage with some of the most influential changemakers in the world.

On this episode, you will hear Dan talk about:

• How curiosity, consistency and excellence have helped him refine his talents over the years
• How his first big event-hosting opportunity came as a result of a previous failure
• Why being an introvert is a superpower, and why “nerves” on stage are a good thing
• How he gets speaking gigs (hint: it’s not through pitching!)
• How his philosophy of “start now start simple” has had a profound impact on people
• Why he doesn’t have any clear-cut goals – and what drives him instead

Learn more about Dan and his work on iamdanram.com and through his social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube!

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Click here for the episode transcript.

Joshua Hoskins is a 25 year old man with Down syndrome who lives in Tamworth, England with his parents. He loves his family and friends, and his hobbies are horse riding, boxing, musicals, supporting Newcastle United Football team, going out on trips and going on holiday.

Josh has two jobs: he loves them both and has great buddies at each place. Josh’s Mum Debbie helps him create posts on LinkedIn every week, because Josh wants to help other people with Down syndrome to get a job if they want to.  

During this episode, you will hear Josh and Debbie talk about:

• How he had found his job at Marshall Fleet Services with WorkFit, and how the Down's Syndrome Association in the UK prepared him for the role
• What he does in his role with Marshall Fleet Solutions, and what he likes the most about it
• How LinkedIn helped him find his second job at Movianto 
• What inspired him to write about his life and work on LinkedIn
• How work has helped him grow as a person, build positive relationships with his coworkers, and support his local community
• Why employers should consider hiring people with Down syndrome, and how employers can include them in their companies 

Follow Joshua Hoskins on LinkedIn to read his weekly posts.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jennifer Brown is a leading diversity and inclusion expert, dynamic keynote speaker, best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur and host of The Will To Change podcast, which uncovers true stories of diversity and inclusion. As the founder, president and CEO of Jennifer Brown Consulting, Jennifer’s workplace strategies have been employed by some of the world’s top Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits—including Walmart, Microsoft, Starbucks and many others— to help employees bring their full selves to work and feel Welcomed, Valued, Respected and Heard℠.

On this episode, you will hear Jennifer talk about:

• How her background in nonprofit work, opera singing and off-Broadway theater performance led to her career in training & development
• How a corporate layoff led her to reposition herself in her career and start her own diversity & inclusion consulting firm
• What to do if you feel like your career or your workplace might not be a match for you
• The damaging impact of bias and stereotypes on individuals and businesses, and what leaders can do about it
• Her own experience with “bringing her full self to work” as an LGBTQ+ woman
• Her belief that everyone has a diversity story, and how this realization can lead to more inclusive conversations

If you want to know more about Jennifer and her work, here are other links you can check out!

• JenniferBrownConsulting.com (Business website)
• JenniferBrownSpeaks.com (Personal website)
• Book Website: How To Be an Inclusive Leader (or purchase the book on Amazon)
• The Will to Change Podcast (on Apple Podcasts)
• Facebook
• Instagram: @jenniferbrownspeaks
• Twitter: @jenniferbrown
• LinkedIn

Click here for the episode transcript.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Today I get to talk with one of my most favorite comedians ever, John Heffron! John is a stand up comedy veteran and winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing season two. His latest comedy album is called Episodes, and he just published a new spy thriller book called The Holding Deal. He also has a new podcast called Kid With a Cape.

On this episode we talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the comedy world (and life in general), what inspires John’s comedy, and tips for writing a great book even if you are not a great writer.

You can find links to all of John’s social media, his book, podcast, album and more on his LinkTree site.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Wayne Baker is the author of the new book “All You Have To Do Is Ask: How to Master the Most Important Skill for Success.” He is the Robert P. Thome Professor of Business Administration at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and Faculty Director of the Center for Positive Organizations. Wayne is also a cofounder and board member of Give and Take, Inc., the developers of the Givitas platform based on the principles in his new book.

On this episode, you will hear Wayne talk about:

• How his research led him to realize that the main obstacle that prevents people from getting the help they need, is their willingness (or unwillingness) to ask for help
• The importance of asking for what you need to developing your career and finding success in your life
• Some examples of how he has asked for help
• The importance of maintaining human connection in the time of COVID-19

You can connect with Wayne on LinkedIn and learn more about his book at AllYouHaveToDoIsAsk.com.You can also find out more about the Givitas platform here as well.

Click here for the episode transcript.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Harris Rosen is the President & Chief Operating Officer of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. He is Florida's largest independent hotelier, having built a portfolio of eight hotels in Orlando, with close to 7,000 guestrooms, over the course of 45 years. 

He is also a philanthropist who has created and funded initiatives to support local Orlando communities, including a program to provide free preschool and college scholarships to the youth of Tangelo Park, and a similar initiative in the downtown Orlando Parramore district. He has been honored with the Coretta Scott King A.N.G.E.L. Award for his impact on Tangelo Park, and he believes that the successes of these local initiatives provide a template for uplifting America, one community at a time.

Also joining us today is Chuck Dziuban, Director of the Research Initiative for Teaching Effectiveness at the University of Central Florida, who works with Harris on the Tangelo Park project.

During this episode, you will hear Harris and Chuck talk about:

• Harris’s first hotel job as a young boy, and the chance meeting with two famous celebrities that made him decide he wanted to pursue a career in hospitality
• How Harris grew his career by pursuing opportunities all around the country and even internationally, including managing a property in Mexico and working for Disney in their hotel division
• The story behind Harris’ purchase of his first hotel property
• The ingenious way that Harris secured business for his hotel during the oil crisis of the mid-1970s
• How Harris began his philanthropy with the Tangelo Park project
• Why Harris and Chuck believe that expanding this program to other communities would have a powerful impact on American society

Find out more about the Tangelo Park Program here, and more about The Harris Rosen Foundation here.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Arlan Hamilton is the Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital, a fund dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. Started from scratch in 2015, Backstage has now raised more than $10 million and invested in more than 130 startup companies led by underestimated founders. Arlan’s brand new book "It's About Damn Time" was published on May 5, 2020.

On this episode, you will hear Arlan talk about:

• What inspired her to share her life lessons and practical guidance in her new book
• How she built her own venture capital company, despite not having the background, network or resources of a typical venture capitalist
• Why she decided to focus her financial investments on underrepresented founders
• How new entrepreneurs have a unique advantage during the current crisis – and how established entrepreneurs can get themselves “unstuck”
• Success stories from the start-ups that Arlan has invested in, including CurlMix (a subscription box for do-it-yourself hair products), Paladin (a pro bono platform for lawyers to increase access to justice), and Bippy (an eco-friendly personal wellness brand)

Learn more about Arlan and order your copy of "It's About Damn Time" at itsaboutdamntime.com.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Rahkim Sabree is an author, speaker, and nonprofit co-founder specializing in personal finance and mentoring. He recently released his second book entitled "Financially Irresponsible" and delivered a TEDx talk in December 2019 on Financial Empowerment.

On this episode, you will hear Rahkim talk about:

• His early experiences with learning about finances, and how he started his financial services career at a young age
• Why he called his book “Financially Irresponsible,” and how it helps people become more financially literate
• How he believes that millennial behavior is changing the way people work and generate wealth
• Why having the right mindset about your finances is the first step to becoming financially empowered
• How his passions for financial education and mentorship fuel the mission of his non-profit, An Extended Hand Inc., to help empower and educate those who are at risk of or currently impacted by homelessness

You can find Rahkim on his website at www.RahkimSabree.com, buy his book Financially Irresponsible on Amazon, and connect with him on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Click here to read the full episode transcript.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Toni Coleman Brown is an author, small business strategist and online marketing expert, with a focus on email lead generation and sales conversion. She is the founder of the Network for Women in Business, an online educational platform that teaches female entrepreneurs her signature small business success program, as well as the host and creator of two popular live events: The Small Business Bootcamp for Women and the Online Marketing Mastermind Live.

On this episode, you will hear Toni talk about:

• How she taught herself internet marketing with a hands-on approach, which included creating lead capture pages and running Google Ads
• The value of communicating with your customers regularly through email
• Why she created a business bootcamp focused on helping women succeed with their online marketing
• How she has found balance between her corporate job and her side businesses
• Her perspective as a solo entrepreneur

You can find Toni at thenetworkforwomeninbusiness.com and tonicolemanbrown.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest as well!

Click here to read the full episode transcript.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Garrison Redd is a TEDx speaker, para-powerlifter, model, dancer, and most of all, an advocate for disabled rights. He founded an organization called “TheGarrisonReddProject” to provide resources and services that improve the well-being of disabled individuals.

On this episode, Garrison shares:

• Why he left his government job to start his own organization
• The job searching challenges faced by many people with disabilities
• How he realized his impact as a positive role model for the younger generation
• How he discovered his talent for competitive para-powerlifting
• How he controls his fear when doing something new or challenging

You can follow Garrison on Instagram @garrisonredd to see his workout videos and other fun & motivating posts, connect with him on LinkedIn and learn more about TheGarrisonReddProject at www.thegarrisonreddproject.org.

Click here to read the episode transcript.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Hira Ali is the CEO of Advancing Your Potential, Managing Director of International Women Empowerment Events, Founding Director of Career Excel, and Co-Founder of The Grey Area. Her leadership and coaching articles have been published in The Huff Post, Thrive Global, Women @ Forbes, Ellevate Network, Entrepreneur, and many more.

In her new book, “Her Way to the Top: A Guide to Smashing the Glass Ceiling”, Hira highlights the roadblocks impeding a woman’s climb to the top, irrespective of her culture and geography. She is passionate about empowering women and ethnic minorities and is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

During this episode, you will hear Hira talk about:

• Why she started creating female empowerment events while working in HR in Pakistan
• The survey she conducted to understand the challenges that women and ethnic minorities face globally – and her advice for combating these challenges
• How she was able to restart her business and build her reputation online after moving from Dubai to London
• How she makes authentic connections with the influencers she admires – many of whom have reviewed her book and shared her blog posts

You can find out more about Hira on her website, www.AdvancingYourPotential.com, and connect with her on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Her book “Her Way to the Top" is available for purchase in print and as an ebook.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Jeremy Miller is a brand strategist, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Sticky Branding, a brand building agency. His first book, also called Sticky Branding, is a playbook for how small- and mid-sized companies challenge the giants of their industry to grow their brands.

In October 2019, Jeremy published his latest book, Brand New Name, which provides a proven, step-by-step process to create an unforgettable name for anything — a brand, company, product, service, or idea — by unlocking the creative genius of teams.

During this episode, you will hear Jeremy talk about:

• His introduction to the world of branding through a crisis in his family business
• How your team is a secret weapon for creating a new name for your company
• Why people in companies are afraid to be creative
• The problem with “personal branding”

Learn more about Jeremy’s work at the Sticky Branding website and connect with him on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. His books Sticky Branding and Brand New Name are available on Amazon.

A full episode transcript is available here.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Grace Liu is an autistic author, blogger, speaker and pet portrait artist based in the Midlands of England. Grace's book, “Approaching Autistic Adulthood: The Road Less Travelled,” was published in October 2021. She blogs about autism, neurodiversity, diversity and inclusion, as well as her life as a biracial (British/Taiwanese) autistic gay woman, and has delivered multiple talks about autism and diversity. Grace has received many commissions for her pet portrait drawings, especially over the past year. She is a dedicated owner to four cats, having had an autistic interest in cats from a very young age! 

During this episode, you will hear Grace talk about:

• Her early life after moving from Taiwan to the UK at the age of four, and how she and her family discovered that she is autistic 
• How she got started with her long-running blog back in 2013
• Her experiences with racism, and with “coming out” as gay and autistic 
• Becoming an author and public speaker

Find out more about Grace and her work at the links below:

• Book: artistic-autistic.co.uk/approaching-autistic-adulthood
• Blog: unwrittengrace.wordpress.com
• Art: artistic-autistic.co.uk/pet-portraits 

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Jessica Inserra is a Los Angeles based stand-up comedian whose irreverent humor explores, among other things, themes from her life as a gay woman growing up in a colorful New York Italian family. Jessica recently commemorated 25 years of being out, having burst through the closet doors at the tender age of 14. Now she can be seen performing her unique brand of brash, edgy comedy at The Comedy Store, as well as other venues in and around Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle and beyond. She is currently working on her own stand-up special entitled, “Jessica Inserra, Pretty Gay.”

On this episode, you will hear Jessica talk about:

• What inspired her to pursue stand-up comedy, after more than a decade of managing a plastic surgeon’s office (which is still her full-time job!) -- and how she balances her job with pursuing her comedy passion
• Her experience working with legendary comedian Gerry Katzman in his stand-up comedy class -- and how she overcame constant fear and self-doubt as she developed and practiced her material
• How she feels about finding success at the beginning of her career and being able to meet her comedy idols
• How being "familiar” and feminine as a gay woman has helped her both in her comedy and her life

You can follow Jessica on Instagram at @jessinserra and on her website, www.prettygay.net.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Mario Armstrong is a two-time Emmy Award Winner, Digital Lifestyle Expert, entrepreneur, TV Host, public speaker, and motivator for the modern world, who delivers tactical advice to inspire people to take action towards pursuing their goals, dreams and passions.

He’s the Host of the Never Settle Show, an NBC TODAY Show Contributor, appears on Dr. Oz, Steve Harvey, NPR, Inside Edition & more, and is a public speaker with Daymond John’s Shark Group’s Speaking Division.

Mario’s new daily podcast, entitled “Wake Up and Level Up,” kickstarts your day in under 5 minutes with a jolt of inspiration, advice and personal growth formulas. It recently became a Top 200 podcast on the iTunes Self-Help charts and is in the top 10% of all podcasts around the country.

On this episode, you will hear Mario talk about:

• How he became interested in Digital Technology as a child
• How his “3-ask” question formula has helped him (and others) accelerate their success
• How he balanced his first radio job with his full time job
• His career journey that led him to become a featured correspondent on national TV – but still presents obstacles that he must overcome
• How he keeps moving forward in the face of "No"
• His advice for managing your fears and achieving your dreams

You can find Mario on www.neversettle.tv,  on the Never Settle Network YouTube Channel, on Instagram at @marioarmstrong and on his podcast Wake Up and Level Up. Be sure to let him know that you heard him on Beyond 6 Seconds!  

A full episode transcript is available here.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Sydney Nanberg defied the conventional expectations of society by dropping out of college -- and then went on to build a six-figure marketing business by the young age of 20. Now Sydney teaches others how to better their lives with self-care, mindset, and entrepreneurship.

Sydney's journey has been amazing, but certainly not easy. On this episode, she shares:

• How failing a college test led her to completely change her course in life
• How her challenges with mental health and being bullied influenced her mindset
• How getting out of her comfort zone improved her life
• How she learned the key skills she needed to start and grow her own successful marketing agency

Learn more about Sydney through her blog and her podcast, She Did It. You can also contact her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, and through her marketing agency, Digital Maverick.

A full episode transcript is available here.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for all the latest news and updates about my podcast!

Ginni Saraswati is an award-winning journalist, radio personality and celebrity interviewer with a unique brand of comedy that includes quick-witted introductions and on-air antics. She's the founder of Ginni Media, a boutique podcast production company, and the host of the podcast, The Ginni Show.

On this episode, Ginni talks about:

• Her transition from working behind the scenes at an Australian radio station to becoming an on-air media personality   
• What it was like moving from her native Sri Lanka to Australia at a young age
• How her large family life influences her radio work and her comedy
• How her family reacted when they unexpectedly discovered she was gay
• Her experiences interviewing celebrity guests -- including the time she made Paula Abdul crack up with laughter!

Follow Ginni on Facebook and @theginnishow on Instagram and Twitter, and listen to The Ginni Show podcast at www.theginnishow.com. To learn more about Ginni Media, visit www.ginnimedia.com to see what production services the company offers and download free resources for starting your own podcast.

A full episode transcript is available here.

Sign up for my free newsletter for the latest updates about Beyond 6 Seconds, and receive my free checklist for getting started with your own podcast!

Welcome to a special mini episode of Beyond 6 Seconds! I recorded this episode from She Podcasts Live, the first conference of its kind for women podcasters, which took place in October 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

While I was here surrounded by so many talented podcasters, I wanted to learn more about their experiences… so I caught up with 6 podcasters at the conference and asked them one question: 

“What’s the most meaningful experience you’ve had as a result of having your podcast?” 

In this episode, you’ll hear the answers from these six podcasters: 

• Elikqitie: Travel Gluten Free Podcast
  • www.travelglutenfreepodcast.com
  • @TravGlutenFree on Twitter
  • @travelglutenfreepodcast on Instagram
    
    
• Alysa Lucas:
  • Best Forevers - A Podcast for Kindred Spirits:  bestforeverspod.libsyn.com ; @bestforeverspod on Twitter and Instagram
    
  • Fataliteas: fataliteas.libsyn.com ; @fataliteaspod on Twitter and Instagram 
    
    
• Elaine: Angus Eye Tea
  • anguseyetea.com 
    
  • @anguseyetea on Twitter and Instagram
    
    
• Danielle: Everybody’s National Parks
  • www.everybodysnationalparks.com 
  • @EverybodysNPs on Twitter
  • @everybodysnationalparks on Instagram
    
    
• Chrisella Herzog:
  • Utah Podcast Summit: www.utahpodcastsummit.com ;
    @PeakPodcastsUT on Twitter, @utahpodcastsummit on Instagram
  • Lonely Ladypreneur: directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/85445 ; 
    @ladypreneurspod on Twitter, @lonelyladypreneur on Instagram
    
  • Dot Citizen: dotcitizen.libsyn.com ; @DotCitizenPod on Twitter
    
    
• Coach Christine – Your Empty Nest Coach:
  • youremptynestcoach.com
  • @emptynestcoach on Twitter and Instagram
    
    

I'd love to hear from you!

• Are you a podcaster? What’s been the most meaningful thing that’s happened because of your podcast? 
• Are you thinking of starting a podcast? What dreams do you have for it?

Go to my Facebook group and let me know!  www.facebook.com/groups/beyond6seconds

Sign up for my free newsletter and receive my free checklist for getting started with your own podcast!

Beyond 6 Seconds is taking a short break for the rest of December, but we’ll be back in January with more extraordinary stories from everyday people. In the meantime, you can catch up on any episodes you may have missed by visiting www.beyond6seconds.com. Have a great rest of 2019, and we’ll see you in January 2020! 

This week's guest is Josh Stine, the co-founder and CEO of Seat Insiders, an event ticket concierge agency serving companies and individuals around the world. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Josh worked in cyber security and management consulting at PwC. Josh has also started several other successful side hustles over the past four years, but he has turned his focus solely to Seat Insiders since its founding.

On this episode, you will hear Josh talk about:

• His journey from Big 4 consulting to the ticketing industry
• How the changes in the ticketing industry are beneficial for both fans and artists alike
• How building international relationships has created opportunities for fans to go to events around the world

You can contact Josh on www.seatinsiders.com and by email at josh@seatinsiders.com. You can also learn more about Seat Insiders on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.  

Special offer for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners: Seat Insiders is giving five listeners a free 1-year concierge membership (a $240 value)! To claim this offer, go to www.seatinsiders.com, click the contact us link, and fill out the contact form -- be sure you mention Beyond 6 Seconds in your message!

----

Become a Beyond 6 Seconds Insider today and receive our free checklist for getting started with your own podcast!

Miracle Olatunji is a college student, entrepreneur, and author of “Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact.” In high school, she founded OpportuniMe, an award-winning education organization which democratizes access to summer experiential learning opportunities for high school students. 

On this episode, Miracle shares:

• How her own struggle with finding summer opportunities in high school lead her to create OpportuniMe
• How she balances her life as a full time college student and entrepreneur
• What inspired her to write her book, “Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact”

You can find Miracle on Twitter at @mirolatunji, on Instagram at @miracleolatunji, and on LinkedIn.

Special offer for Beyond 6 Seconds listeners: If you Venmo $12 to @MiracleO, and email miracle.e.olatunji@gmail.com with your mailing address, she will mail you a signed copy of her book!

---

Become a Beyond 6 Seconds Insider today and receive our free checklist for getting started with your own podcast!

--- 

Full Bio:

Miracle Olatunji is a student, entrepreneur, innovation director, and author of Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact. In high school, she founded OpportuniMe, an award-winning education organization which democratizes access to summer experiential learning opportunities that enable high school youth to develop life and leadership skills, cultivate their passions, become socially conscious, and build their network. Through OpportuniMe, hundreds of youth have been able to find and secure incredible opportunities. Miracle is a passionate advocate for access to opportunities because she has seen firsthand how even just one opportunity, connection, or resource can change the trajectory of someone’s life!

Miracle served as a member of the advisory board for the Diamond Challenge, one of the world's largest entrepreneurship programs for high school students.

While in her sophomore year at Northeastern University, she is the Director of Innovation at Thrive, a student organization which empowers college students through financial literacy programs and supports student-led entrepreneurial ventures in personal finance and financial technology. She hosts an event series that provides actionable advice and strategies for young women on building their net worth, self worth, and network.

Miracle is also a volunteer on the programming team for Startup Boston 2019.

Miracle has been honored as a Young Global Leadership Scholar, Youth Entrepreneur Of The Year, a ‘Woman To Watch’, one of The Root 25 Young Futurists & Changemakers, and grand prize winner of the World Series of Entrepreneurship. She has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, Technical.ly, The Female Lead, and other leading publications. Miracle was also selected as one of America’s Amazing Teens by the AAT Project, which identifies exceptional youth who are changing the world.

Citing Oprah Winfrey, Sallie Krawcheck, and Tiffany Pham as her top role models, Miracle firmly believes in the importance of giving back, mentorship, and empowering others. She hopes to one day start a foundation that grants scholarships and grants to underrepresented young leaders and changemakers.

This week’s episode features Michael Basagre, who founded and runs a career coaching service and blog called Momettas while he works as a packaging consultant in New Zealand. Momettas focuses on helping young adults between the ages of 15 and 30 succeed as they transition out of key life milestones such as leaving school or university, getting their first job or looking for that next step in their career. In addition, Michael is dedicated to helping people discover a passion for personal development by helping uncover their core values.

On this episode, you can hear Michael talk about:

• How his passion for helping others became his side hustle
• How he balances his energy between family, a full-time job, and Momettas
• How living out your core values can help you find career success
• The unusual technique Michael uses to help his clients uncover their core values
• Why he encourages his clients to talk about their core values in job interviews
• The importance of keeping your core values in mind as you develop your own business or creative projects

You can learn more about Michael on the Momettas website, www.momettas.com, and blog, www.momettas.com/blogs. If you are between the ages of 15 – 30 and would like some career coaching, feel free to contact Michael at michael@momettas.com for one free coaching session (and mention that you heard him on the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast)!

The Seven Fundamental Tools that Michael uses with his coaching clients:

1. Self-Awareness
2. Change of Mindset
3. Decide what your core values are
4. Build a solid character
5. Begin believing
6. Inspire personal change
7. Encourage positive change through ongoing continuous improvement

On this episode, meet Meg He, the co-founder of ADAY, a direct-to-consumer clothing brand that creates versatile, long-lasting apparel with a sustainable approach. ADAY was recognized as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company, and Meg was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list with her co-founder, Nina Faulhaber. Prior to ADAY, Meg worked at Poshmark, Cowboy Ventures and Goldman Sachs, and received degrees at Oxford University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

On this episode, you will hear Meg talk about:

• Her struggles and achievements as a Chinese immigrant living and going to school in Wales and in England 
• Her career, which ranges from working in investment banking in London, to venture capital and technology in Silicon Valley, to her own start-up in New York City 
• What inspired her to become an entrepreneur and innovate within the fashion and apparel industry

You can find ADAY online at www.thisisaday.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and at their showroom in New York City.

Nir Eyal writes, consults and teaches about behavior design and habit formation -- at the intersection of psychology, technology, and business. He has been dubbed “The Prophet of Habit-Forming Technology” by the MIT Technology Review, has founded two tech companies since 2003 and has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford.

Nir is also the author of the bestselling book, “Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products” and a brand new book called “Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life.”

On this episode, you will hear Nir talk about:

• What really causes distraction (Hint: it’s not technology!)
• How we use distraction as a coping mechanism for escaping discomfort
• How planning and timeboxing can help you avoid distraction (and why to-do lists are a myth)
• How to become indistractable at work

For more information about Indistractable:

• Order the book and get bonus content at www.indistractable.com
• Download the free distraction guide and timeboxing schedule maker tool  

You can also read more of Nir’s writing on his blog at www.nirandfar.com.

A full episode transcript is available here.

Content note: This episode mentions thoughts about suicide and self harm. 

Shayonee Dasgupta is a Mumbai-based freelance writer and editor who initially pursued a career in law, working with corporate law firms in India. She found out she's autistic and has ADHD in her 30s, prompting a transformative journey of self-discovery and learning to navigate life anew.

During this episode, you will hear Shayonee talk about:

• What it was like growing up before her diagnosis 
• How the challenges she faced working as a lawyer led to her burnout
• The struggle she faced to get the right mental healthcare and support after her burnout 
• How she received her autism and ADHD diagnosis 
• Her decision to start a new career as a freelance writer
• Handling expectations from both her extended family and Indian society
• How she defines success in her own way

To find out more about Shayonee and her work, you can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube.

Read the episode transcript.

Follow the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast in your favorite podcast player.

Subscribe to the FREE Beyond 6 Seconds newsletter for early access to new episodes.

Support or sponsor this podcast at BuyMeACoffee.com/Beyond6Seconds!

*Disclaimer: The views, guidance, opinions, and thoughts expressed in Beyond 6 Seconds episodes are solely mine and/or those of my guests, and do not necessarily represent those of my employer or other organizations.*

Carly Fiorina began her career as a secretary for a nine-person real-estate business, and eventually became the first woman ever to lead a Fortune 50 company as the CEO of Hewlett Packard. Her amazing career even includes running for the U.S. presidency in 2015.

Now, Carly is the founder and chairman of Carly Fiorina Enterprises and of Unlocking Potential, a nonprofit organization that helps local leaders increase their leadership and problem-solving capabilities. 

Carly is also a best-selling author. She shares her amazing leadership journey and lessons learned in her third book, “Find Your Way,” which was released in early 2019. 

During this podcast episode, Carly shares:

• Examples of how she learned to problem-solve early in her career
• How she faced her fear and overcame bullies in the workplace
• Why she wrote her latest book, “Find Your Way”
• How she helps leaders build and practice their leadership skills
• How she selects the leaders who she interviews on her podcast, “By Example”

You can find more information about Carly’s work on her website, www.carlyfiorina.com, and learn more about "By Example," her podcast where she interviews extraordinary leaders about their experiences and lessons that listeners can learn from.

A full episode transcript is available here.

On this episode, you'll meet Tabitha Cavanagh, creator of the #StrongAssMindset hashtag on social media, and a co-chair of the Never Too Young Advisory Board for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. 

After facing an unexpected colon cancer diagnosis at a young age, Tabitha joined the field of recruiting, where she discovered her passion for bringing the right people together for the right opportunities at the right time, and helping others create intentional and meaningful mindsets.

You can find Tabitha on LinkedIn and through her hashtags, #TabTheRecruiter and #StrongAssMindset.

After working as a corporate marketing executive for over twenty years, Ajay Prasad decided to become his own boss. In 2004, he left the corporate world and started GMR Web Team, a digital marketing agency. After switching the focus of the business to healthcare, Ajay now works with healthcare providers to improve their online presence and increase their base of patients. Since then, Ajay has also become a serial entrepreneur: he has founded RepuGen, an online reputation software for healthcare businesses, and GMR Transcription, a transcription company.

On this episode, you will hear from Ajay about how he develops his employees’ careers, what he looks for when he hires people, how he identifies the right clients, and how his experience in the corporate world compares to entrepreneurship.

You can find Ajay on LinkedIn, and on Twitter @ajayprasad_. You can also find more information about his companies at www.gmrwebteam.com, www.repugen.com, and www.gmrtranscription.com.