Aug 5, 2016
This
week's Ever Better episode is a journal narrated by me, Lisa Conner
Vogt. it highlights a
common theme that I’ve observed with my guests, and brings you some
of the best moments of recent episodes.
This episode celebrates
my guests who draw on their highly unique experiences to craft
businesses that help others, as only they can. And, when I talk
about their experiences, I’m including how and where they grew up,
their families, the schools they attended, the jobs they’ve held,
where they’ve lived, and their spiritual traditions. They’re taking
the accumulation of their life knowledge and using it to help
others.
As I was thinking about
the five guests that you’re about to hear from, I also considered
how I’m building on my life experiences. And here’s what I came up
with…
My professional career
spans almost thirty years – Yikes! I’ve worked for corporations,
non-profits, small companies, and had my own businesses. I’ve held
positions in marketing, communications, strategy, system
development, project management, and I’ve managed hundreds of
people.
When it comes to
producing a podcast, I’m drawing on everything I’ve done in my life
to put it all together. It turns out that creating and sustaining a
podcast is a fairly complex undertaking! It involves booking
guests, interviewing, organizing, marketing, networking, audio
production, and website development. But everything I’m doing is an
extension of what I’ve done before. And as I coach, and speak to
groups, I’m drawing on my own unique life journey, and sharing my
business, academic, personal, and spiritual experiences. By
building on my life experiences as a podcaster, I’m hopefully
enriching others’ lives.
So, I have a challenge for you! As you listen to this episode,
think about your life experiences and how you’re using those to
enrich your families, your communities, your colleagues, people you
volunteer with, and others you come into contact with. Is there
more that you could be doing? Is there more that you could be
giving? If love to hear your thoughts! Send me a note at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.
And now, onto my
guests... Today, you’ll hear from Jessie
Mejia, Lise
Metzger, Marcus
Bullock, Erin Elizabeth
Wells, and Dave
Conley.
Jesse Mejia was my
third podcast guest way back in December 2015. Jesse draws on
his family, academic and business experiences as he mentors and
coaches Latino students and professionals who are considering next
steps in their careers.
South Central L.A. is
where Jesse grew up with parents from El Salvador who don’t speak
English. Many would consider him to have come from “disadvantaged
circumstances.” But Jesse did well in school, earned a scholarship
to Philips Exeter Academy and then went on to college and earned an
MBA. He did very well in the corporate world rising to the position
of Corporate Strategy Officer for VW. And then he left, to pursue
his mission-driven focus. In this clip, Jesse explains how some of
his childhood experiences prepared him for the leadership role that
he plays today.
Lise Metzger, my guest
on episode 26,
uses her experiences as an editor, photographer, mother, and food
educator to create the Grounded Women blog. She uses her writing,
photography, and interviewing skills to learn and share stories of
women farmers and to educate readers about the many benefits of
knowing where your food comes from. She discusses how her Grounded Women blog got started
in this clip.
Marcus Bullock, from
episode
27, was convicted of carjacking at age 15 and spent the next 8
years of his life in jail. His family wholeheartedly supported him
throughout that period of his life and made sure that they stayed
in touch. As CEO of Flikshop, he’s drawing on his firsthand
knowledge that staying connected to friends and family while
incarcerated makes a significant difference while someone is in
prison, and helps them to reconnect when they are released. Marcus
explains the origins of Flikshop.
Erin Elizabeth
Wells, from episode
28, is an intentionality expert and productivity specialist at
Chosen Course. She has studied and been involved
with world religions throughout her life. And now, she’s combining
her spiritual nature, her writing skills, and her talent for
organizing to help her clients take “inspired action” to set and
achieve goals. She discusses the evolution of her business in
this clip.
Dave Conley, my guest on
episode
29, is an igniter! Through his company, Limitl.es, he helps people start new companies,
new initiatives, and reach new levels in their personal lives. He
draws on his business experience that includes helping to get 32
million people onto the Internet with AOL, the joy he felt
mentoring entrepreneurs throughout his career, starting his own
companies, and his experiences working for the federal government.
But, as you’ll hear, Dave is still striving to learn and improve
each day.
Learn more at
EverBetterU.com.
You can reach Lisa at Lisa@EverBetterU.com.