Chasing Dreams With Aimee J.

Leadership--it holds such power. It can be used from one extreme to the other in lifting someone to the highest level or tearing them down to the lowest low. We hear a lot about leadership, but we don’t hear much about the role that emotions play in leadership. We are diving into this topic today with someone who has wisdom to share.  Kingsley Grant is a national and international motivational speaker, leadership consultant, trainer, licensed psychotherapist, adjunct professor, podcaster, and published author. His newest book is The Emotelligent Leader: Succeed Where Others Failed. Kingsley’s focus is on helping business and team leaders create environments that motivate, engage, and inspire people to do great work at all levels, which ultimately affects the bottom line. Kingsley is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post, Addicted2Success, Thrive Global, and The Goodman Project.  It’s never too late Is age holding you back from chasing a dream? Kingsley says it’s never too late in life to do

MC Vikram grew up in a very traditional, South Indian (specifically Malayalee) household where education and church were emphasized greatly. He developed a love for comedy at an early age and decided to take the risk, step out of his cultural comfort zone, and create his own material. Fear of how his content would be received led him to create anonymously, so he could just step away if the reaction wasn’t what he wanted. His leap of faith was worth it as his songs circulated around the world and became extremely popular, changing his life forever. “Welcome to India” Are you afraid to open yourself up to criticism? MC created the parody song, “Welcome to India,” back in 2002, which was the pre-social media generation and an entirely different world. Now, he’s making a comeback with a new generation. His comedy is something he loves doing, not just for himself, but to bring laughter and happiness to others. If you think about your next step too much, then you open yourself up to “analysis paralysis.” MC says th

It’s here! Episode 200! There are no words for the excitement I feel in reaching this milestone. Thank you for whatever part you’ve played in helping us get here, whether you’re a past guest, a faithful supporter, or a brand-new listener. I’m glad you’re on this journey with me! As we wrap up Season 2 and look toward a new season, there will be inevitable changes as we move forward. One of those will be incorporating bonus material from our Behind-the-Scenes interviews into each show to help you get to know each guest a little better. As a prelude to this change, I’m beginning today’s show by answering some sample questions. You’ll hear what I wished I had learned in school, the number one item on my bucket list, who I would choose for TIME magazine’s person of the year, and what idea of mine might make $1 million one day.  Speak up! Are you a “feedback” kind of person? So many people aren’t! They think that they are just one voice that can’t possibly make a difference, but that is SO wrong. The very fac

One of the key components in chasing your dream is not to let yourself get distracted by the long-term vision or the successes that others may enjoy. Chasing YOUR dream means owning YOUR journey--however long that may be.  Tiffany Southerland is a lawyer by training and a change agent at heart. As a career confidence coach and facilitator, she helps students and professionals leverage their stories and strengths so they can maximize their career success. Tiffany also hosts “How Does She Do It?” which is a podcast dedicated to sharing practical advice on the intersection of faith, personal growth, and professional development. Tiffany has been a featured TEDx speaker and has served as a panelist, moderator, speaker, and facilitator on topics including professional development, diversity and inclusion, career transitions, overcoming trauma, and balancing personal values and career goals. Feeling the frustration What drives your dream chase? Tiffany thinks back to a time when she was frustrated with her pod

Are you one of the many people mesmerized by beautiful lettering? Even if art and design aren’t your thing, you’ve probably seen Instagram photos or Facebook posts that feature amazing, stylistic handwriting, and you may have wondered, “How do they DO that?” Today’s show is about two people who have turned their passion for lettering into a business that teaches even the most skeptical letterer how to create something beautiful with basic markers and paper.  Colin Tierney is the Chief Execraytive Officer and the guy behind Crayligraphy. He runs Tierney Studio, an independent design company specializing in lettering, calligraphy, illustration, and branding. Colin has worked with clients from all over the world, and his work has been published in several books, featured on the web, and recognized and awarded around the globe.  Veronica Ruiz is an Educraytor and lettering artist based in Denver, CO. Drawing letters has been her passion since she was first exposed to the wonder of typography in her grap

Everyone dreams of taking their passion and turning it into something profitable. It’s the situation in which your “work” becomes so much more than work. Such is the story of today’s guest. Listen in to hear how she turned a childhood hobby into a serious profession. Tamara Thompson founded Serious Take Productions in 2012 and has built her creative video agency nationwide. She received her degree in filmmaking and pursued her passion for bringing stories to life in a creative, emotional, and impactful way. Tamara has won awards for her documentary films produced for large corporations such as Microsoft, Starbucks, Safeway, and Gabriel Cosmetics to working with musicians from top TV reality shows like American Idol and NBC’s The Voice. She is known for her attention to detail, her creative vision to help you pull the right story for your brand, and helping people gain the confidence to Broadcast Your Authority with video productions. Tamara enjoys cultivating relationships in the entrepreneurial space to prov

Some of the most beautiful efforts in chasing dreams happen when you use your dream to help motivate others achieve theirs. Such is the story of today’s guest. Her dream has been a lifelong passion for basketball, and now that passion is the fuel that’s helping other young women become successful athletes. Aquillin Hayes is a Harlem, NY native, University of New Haven women’s basketball standout, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, East Region Player of the Year, Championship MVP, UNH Athlete of the Year, and Finalist for Division II National Player of the Year. She played two seasons in El Salvador and led the league in total rebounds and points. Although Aquillin is still pursuing her dreams of professional basketball, she is using her talents to help others as CEO and Founder of IPF (Infinite Player Fulfillment) Academy. Taking it to a higher level What does it take to motivate you? Aquillin was a standout basketball player as a sophomore in high school when opposing teams pinpointed her weakness and exploite

It’s always a thrill to catch up with a former guest, especially one who has been super-successful in chasing dreams and achieving goals. Today’s guest appeared on Episode 18--way back in 2015. Let’s check in and see what’s new! From the chauffeur seat to the C-suite, Tony Woodall has used his Goal Getting program to go from 50 to 32 in waist size and is in better shape now than he was in his 30’s. He’s become a master at achieving his goals and helping his clients do the same. As a coach, speaker, consultant, and the author of 9 Steps to Successful Goal Achievement, Tony proves that you’re never too old to achieve your goals and dreams. This host of the Goal Getting podcast has inspired and helped people reach their high-performance goals, and he’s worked with realtors, lenders, bankers, and other corporations to reach their potential and beyond. Making a commitment Where have you made the biggest commitment? Like many people, Tony has battled weight gain for much of his life. Within the past year, he’s dro

How many times do you take the “glass half empty” approach? What would happen if you adopted an abundance mindset instead of dwelling on what you lack? Today’s guest drops truth bombs left and right about how your mindset affects your accomplishments. L’areal Lipkins is a success strategist, vision board extraordinaire, and author of the brand new book, A Woman With Vision: How to Fulfill the Goals and Dreams God Has Given You. After 10 years of doing sales training and consulting, L’areal left her corporate job to teach women how to elevate their mindset so they can actually execute their goals. An abundance mindset Do you love to play the victim? Unfortunately, our culture seems to give a sense of power in being the victim. When I play the victim, I can blame someone else, and I don’t have to take ownership of my actions, my results, and my life. L’areal says, “You can’t be the victim and win at the same time.” We all have a “before,” and L’areal teaches that we have to shift our mindset to get past that mo

To continue highlighting Mental Health Awareness Month, today’s show shines the spotlight on someone who is truly making a difference in the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health of many, many people. Her mission field is the homeless population, those to whom she refers as the “hopeful.” Her unselfishness and compassion are evident in the way she cares for the underserved and needy with her unique brand of fierce love. Cynthia Brinkley Scott is the founder and organizer of Love the HopeFul, an organization that provides for the homeless, or “hopeful.” The mission is to give back to the community, including providing a free Farmer’s Market for the homeless on the third Saturday of each month. The market offers fresh fruits and vegetables, protein, bottled water, baked goods, haircuts, books, and more----all for free. In this episode, we talk about how this mission came about and how Cynthia became involved with what has become her life’s passion. Be grateful for everything Do you believe that the

How can your example of chasing your dreams help someone else? It all comes down to the motivation we feel when we see someone else overcome challenges and succeed. My guest is here to tell us why the world needs YOUR success! Jonathan Jones is a social entrepreneur, best-selling author, and TEDx speaker. Jonathan serves and supports students and millennial entrepreneurs who believe in self-investing, monetizing their message, and leaving a legacy. He has been featured on CBS News and has spoken to thousands of students ranging from elementary school to college. Jonathan is the host of the Speak Your Success podcast and the author of Process: 14 Surprisingly Simple Behaviors to Skyrocket Millennials to Success. Dream it and obtain it! Are your dreams unreachable? Jonathan would absolutely say NO! His message to students is, “If your dream is big enough for you to dream it, then there’s a way for you to obtain it!” He teaches that God doesn’t give us dreams and desires without the abilities AND capabilities to

Many of us battle with anxiety and its symptoms, but what’s most important is how we respond, and how we learn to cope. Do you use anxiety as an excuse for all the things you can’t do? Today’s guest shares his personal story with vulnerability, openness, and honesty about how he’s refused to let anxiety stop him! In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, my little brother is here, hoping his experiences can help others.  Royce M is a 2nd-year seminarian at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY. Royce received his undergraduate degree in Information Systems at the University of Maryland, University College, (UMUC). Originally from the DC/Maryland/Virginia area, Royce has always been involved in church youth activities. In his free time, Royce likes to run and play sports, and he loves anything related to technology. Royce has always valued stepping out of his comfort zone, stepping into his fear, and working hard to conquer it. Childhood struggles Did you have any challenges to over

Sometimes chasing your dream requires you to walk away from the path you thought was laid out before you and make a leap and take a risk. If you allow others to tell you what’s right for your life, then chances are that you’ll encounter anxiety. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re talking to someone who has learned how to find peace and purpose in life. Jake Heilbrunn is a TEDx speaker and bestselling author of Off the Beaten Trail, endorsed by multiple NYT bestsellers. He has spoken across the US and internationally to 12,000+ people about replacing anxiety with purpose and creating a career you love. He is the co-founder of The Idea Collective, which helps thought leaders get their message out through speaking engagements and TEDx talks. Conquering anxiety When do you experience anxiety? When Jake went to college at age 18, he broke out with hives and rashes due to severe anxiety. Doctors couldn’t help, and he became depressed and questioned everything about his life. Jake left school with a ba

Sometimes all it takes are the right words from the right person to boost your courage and give you permission to take radical steps. Such is the experience of today’s guest, a dream chaser whose path has been anything but ordinary. Diana Cheruvil is a dynamic and goofy human whose life has been a series of fortunate events. She’s passionate about connecting with people, understanding global perspectives with a focus on local community, and striving for the greater good. She loves to build and nurture relationships in ways that bring others’ most authentic selves to the forefront. Diana’s career spans 12 years of diverse communications and marketing experience that has taken her from Detroit to NYC to South America, and back to Detroit. She has an insatiable appetite for travel, loves her super cool friends and family, gives great hugs, and has very nice hair. Following the shiny, bright object When do you know it’s time to pivot? For Diana, it was clear. She studied pharmacy at the University of Michiga

Can a young person be the voice of motivation and empowerment in chasing dreams? Yes! Join me for an inspiring conversation with a dream chaser who is already making an impact and helping others find their purpose. Marcus Roberts-DeLoach is a 22-year-old young adult empowerment writer, speaker, business owner, and radio talk program host from Philadelphia, PA. He is a former full-time student-athlete at Ohio State University-Lima and will soon be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. Marcus is the author of Bigger Than You: What is Your Purpose? Through his work, he expresses how important it is to help others live a purposeful life. He is a firm believer that current situations don’t define final destinations. His advice to people is never to let people tell you what you can’t do or that your dreams are impossible to achieve. Marcus believes that putting in the work makes anything possible for anyone. His vision goes far behind himself, and he believes that empowering other people is the key

Who doesn’t love a good story? Whether you’re reading, watching, or listening---you can be drawn in before you realize it. My guest today knows the power and magic of storytelling---and he’s sharing some of his secrets with us. Shannon Cason has told stories all over the country with The Moth, Snap Judgment, and his own podcasts, Homemade Stories, and The Trouble. He is the chief educator for the Brutally Honest Storytelling Workshop Series and has worked with several companies, including WBEZ, WDET, and Spotify. He is originally from Detroit, and he’s gracious enough to come on the show to share his knowledge and experience as a dream chaser. The magic of storytelling Can you feel it? I’m talking about the moment when you hear a story, and you know whether someone is “putting on a performance,” using a gimmick, or being honest and open. The first thing Shannon noticed about storytellers is that people are drawn to you when you’re authentic and are yourself, especially when polarizing issues are involved. Peo

Can you still chase your dreams if you aren’t sure about how to move forward? Yes! Today’s guest shares his personal experience with learning to be still and focus on the next step. Brian Drury is a return guest from Episode 44. We’re checking in with Brian to see what’s new in his life and his dream chase. He’s the founder of Overcoming Graduation, the creator and host of the Overcoming Graduation podcast, a professional speaker, coach, and author of the #1 Amazon bestseller, The First Step. Through his work, he helps teach young adults everything he wished he had known about habits and mindset to help them create their dream lives, starting today. One of Brian’s recent speeches went viral and has reached over 14.7 million people around the world, and is now featured as one of Goalcast’s Top Inspiring Videos. Brian also has a passion for travel; he speaks three languages, taught himself to speak Portuguese in just seven months, and has traveled to 17 different countries around the world. Brian wants everyone

Do you root for the underdog? My guest today pulls for the underdogs of the podcast world---the small, independent podcasters who don’t grab the big sponsorships. Let’s find out what she’s about and how she has made her place in the podcasting arena. Jessica Kupferman is an internet and digital marketing pioneer who helps content creators grow and monetize a loyal, rabid fan base through understanding connection and the power of influence. She has worked on branding and messaging for large corporations such as Comcast, Subaru, as well as with hundreds of bloggers, podcasters, and online entrepreneurs by teaching personality-driven social media and sales strategies. Jessica is the co-host and co-founder of the She Podcasts brand, which currently supports over 10,000 female podcasters, and has a digital marketing reach of over 50,000 content creators. She started a podcast advertising agency, JK Media Agency in 2015, and then sold it in 2017 to pursue her passion for helping independent podcasters to create con

With the prevalence of blended families today, being a stepparent is rarely thought of in a positive light. The truth is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Hold your skepticism until you hear what today’s guest has to say about blended families thriving and creating an atmosphere of love and mutual respect.  Tuniscia Okeke is the author of Empowered Stepmother. In this book, she invites stepmothers on a transformational journey of self-empowerment to regain their voices and discover their identity in a blended family dynamic. The family vlog “Tea with Tuniscia O” gives a candid look inside the love and connection shared between Tuniscia and her stepson, Ike. The vlog journals their family’s victories and strategies to co-parent successfully with Ike’s biological mother. Tuniscia is an avid reader whose most creative thoughts occur while she’s in “couch potato mode.” As a wife and mother of three children, two of whom are adults, Tuniscia’s most cherished moments are family time together at home or on v

Hey Dream Chaser,  Myself and the Chasing Dreams podcast is raising money to keep the podcast going for an additional twelve (12) months. This is a bonus episode to talk about the future of Chasing Dreams, why we're doing a fundraiser, and how you can help. Thanks for all of your support. I wouldn't here without it. Keep Chasing, Aimee J. Important Links Donation Page - http://aimeej21.com/donate Fundathon Variety Show - http://aimeej21.com/fundathon Donation Wall - http://aimeej21.com/donation-wall Still have questions, ask me at fundathon@aimeej21.com https://youtu.be/aItO-fzu-LE