Chasing Dreams With Aimee J.

In honor of women’s history month, today’s guest is here to teach us to stop listening to the voices of other people! They force us to do or be certain things that aren’t authentic with who we are. It’s only when we get real about who we are and why we are here in this world----and listen to the voices within us---that we can truly function with compassion and self-love. Akosua Dardaine Edwards is happy to share the lessons she has learned on her journey, based on the foundation of self-love and self-belief. Akosua loves working on the ground level with people of all ages, seeing the transformation firsthand. She is an author, TED talk speaker, and a fantastic truth-speaker. I’m thrilled to meet up with my new friend Akosua today and introduce her to you! YOU have a story to tell Have you ever felt alone and like a failure? Akosua was going through a rough patch in life, and her definition of success was linked to material things and a certain lifestyle. When she “lost it all,” in the human sense, she was lef

In honor of women’s history month, today’s show features a previous guest who’s still hard at work chasing her dreams and helping others chase theirs. You can catch her first appearance on Chasing Dreams back in Episode 97. Elaine Williams has helped hundreds of people with their confidence in front of the camera and in front of audiences. She takes people who are overcome with fear and turns them into confident public speakers, whether they are addressing 5 or 5000. She has 40+ years’ experience in professional performing and TV appearances on shows such as SNL, America’s Got Talent, and HBO. Elaine uses her two degrees in drama to help train her students and clients in their own media appearances. Spots are filling up fast for her next training program, Captivate the Crowd.  That little voice Have you heard it? We all have it---”that little voice.” It’s the voice of fear that stops us from moving forward, chasing the dream, and taking the leap. That voice never really goes away, but Elaine can teach pe

What are the “wins” you can look back on in your life? Can you see how to use those for motivation today? Join us for today’s show that focuses on empowerment, career development, and claiming your best life. Regine Roy is a mental health consultant, speaker, and the president and founder of Queen Geniuses, Inc. Regine delivers a life-changing message to students and professionals about the power of choice on topics like self-assessment, friendships, family, and careers. She is an astute specialist with deep and insightful knowledge on how to create a life on your own terms. A clear vision How has your background factored into your life decisions? For Regine, her life path put her on the course to make a difference and be impactful in the world. She grew up in Brooklyn, NY, in a poor family of Caribbean immigrants. A social worker by trade, it was having incredible teachers and mentors in her life that helped her realize that she wanted to work with young women of color to be a positive representation, becaus

Have you fallen into the trap of saying, “I’ll give my dream a TRY”? Today’s show will expose the negative mindset in that statement and SO many others that keep us from becoming fully committed to chasing the dream that lives within us. Join us to learn more! Ash Cash is one of the nation’s top personal finance experts. Dubbed “The Hip-Hop Financial Motivator,” he uses a culturally responsive approach in teaching financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Ash is a speaker and the author of seven books. He’s best known for helping people maximize their full potential by giving them the inspiration, tools, and resources needed to live their best life. Change your money mindset How important is perspective? It’s the most important factor in determining your mindset, and your mindset will determine your success! Ash grew up in the projects of NYC, witnessing drugs and murders on a regular basis. He rose above all of that to find a career in banking, but he still had a negative attitude about what he could do with

What’s your perception of the HR department at your job? For most of us, we don’t think of HR as a place we want to go or the people we trust and want to build relationships with. My guest today seeks to change that as she shows us the human side of Human Resources. Diana George is the founder and president of By George HR Solutions. She has worked with global companies with an international presence, such as Bose and the luxury watch brand, Omega. With her leadership, she was able to put together winning teams that contributed positively to their organizations. Diana maintains that integrity is the most vital and strongest trait of any organization. With over three decades of experience in a career that has encompassed leadership in retail, non-profit, health and wellness, and the private sector, Diana works with companies to realize and strengthen the resources they have in their employees.  How HR can help Do you think of the HR department when you need help with something at work? HR can bring people

Are you sitting on your dream, waiting for things to be “just perfect” before you give it to the world? Today’s show will give you inspiration and motivation to get things moving and put the fear aside. The time is NOW, and the world may waiting anxiously for what YOU have to offer! Stephen A. Hart is here today. In honor of Black History Month, Stephen returns as a former guest and friend of mine and friend of the show. He is the Chief Creative Officer of Isles Media, LLC. His creations include Brand You Academy and Trailblazers FM. Stephen is also a dynamic speaker on the topics of personal branding, entrepreneurship, and podcasting. His mission is to guide 10,000 people through creating an amazing personal brand over the next 5 years. How Stephen handles his busy life Have you ever launched out into something completely brand new? Stephen was brand new at podcasting when he appeared back in Episode 56 in August 2016. He shared with us the tools he used back then that he still relies on today, like Evernote

What’s the greatest gift you can give to someone else? It’s a debatable subject, but what could possibly be more valuable to someone with kidney disease than to receive a kidney from a living donor? Today’s show introduces you to an amazing person with a truly amazing story. Jason Nothdurft is a friend of mine and a true superhero. He’s a married, 32-year-old police dispatcher with a 2-year-old puppy and his first child due in April. Jason donated his kidney in 2014, and has dedicated much of his free time to advocating on behalf of kidney patients and living organ donors. The saying is true: “Not all superheroes wear capes.” Jason is a remarkable person with a spirit of compassion and sacrifice, and I’m thrilled to share his journey of being an organ donor to highlight this important cause. Learning from mistakes What did you want to be as a kid? Police dispatcher is probably not a profession that many people aspire to, and even though it’s not a glamorous job, the dispatchers are the ultimate first responde

How do you show up in your life? Are you living your best life every day? Today’s show is full of inspiration to help you leave the mundane behind and push yourself to never again accept mediocrity as your normal.  Scott Mulvaney channels his health-nut, adrenaline-junkie energy into everything he influences. That same energy comes through on his LIVETHEFUEL podcast, which helps fuel your health, business, and lifestyle. Scott focuses on sales and marketing growth, brand strategy, coaching, and consulting solutions to help you control how you exist online. There are very few people as passionate as Scott about living his best life every day.  Wanting something “different” Can you look back at specific circumstances in your life and see the lessons learned? For Scott, the life lessons are everywhere as he contemplates his life journey. He was raised in a farm family in NJ that relocated later to PA, where Scott’s family still lives and works in farming today. Scott, however, wanted something differen

What’s the key to making your dream happen?  My guest today explains that the most important part is just to GET STARTED. Jump in and start failing today! Mathew Passy is a podcast producer consultant at ThePodcastConsultant.com. He helps individuals, brands, and small businesses develop, launch, produce, promote, and monetize their podcasts. Mathew hosts the Causepods podcast. “Why can’t I do this for a job?” Are you in the same career in which you started? Mathew thought he would have an amazing career in radio, since he started way back in the early 2000’s. He launched his first podcast for the radio station, but podcasts back then weren’t like they are today. When he got laid off from his job, he decided to produce some podcasts, and thought, “Why can’t I do this for a job?” Even though he felt stuck for awhile, he stayed with it and worked hard to grind it out.  TWEET: If it’s your dream, then it’s YOUR dream, because you know it better than the back of your hand. @mathewpassy #chasingdreams Po

What were your New Year’s resolutions? Have you kept them? It’s easy to make resolutions, but without a plan, you won’t make it out of January. Perhaps you’ve already failed your resolution, and that’s OK! It’s OK if you’ve given up; just try again with a different mindset in place. Let’s talk about three practices to take with you into 2019. Change your perspective/change your life Are you a negative person by nature? If you are, then try being a “glass half-full” person. Don’t let your gut reaction be negative. Think about the positives and be grateful---even for the smallest and simplest things. Be grateful for the mistakes and failures you encounter, because those are the things that teach us to do better! TWEET: Be grateful for the mistakes and failures you encounter, because those are the things that teach us to do better! #chasingdreams Embrace your fears What are your biggest fears, and how do they hold you back? I’m setting some personal goals to face and embrace two of my biggest fears this year. Fo

What’s possible when you step outside your comfort zone, push the limits, and refuse to let anything hold you back? As you might imagine, the sky’s the limit! Today’s guest has proven at a young age that chasing a dream can be satisfying and fulfilling beyond your wildest imagination.  Sarika Mehta appeared way back in Episode 29 of Chasing Dreams, almost three years ago. She’s part of a new feature for 2019, in which I’ll check in with a previous guest about once a month, and we’ll see how the dream-chase is progressing. When we last spoke with Sarika, she was an 18-year-old student at the Culinary Institute of America. Today, she’s graduated with an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor’s in Hospitality and Business Management, with a concentration in Wine, Beverage, and Hospitality Studies. Sarika has found a love for hospitality as a whole, not just in creating dishes for people to enjoy, but in interacting with guests during their entire experience. Fascinatingly, Sarika received an ema

As we approach the end of 2018, have you spent any time reflecting on your year? On this, the last episode of the year, we’re spending some time reflecting on 2018, which was filled with the loss of many wonderful people. As much as we look back, though, it’s also a time to look forward to what’s coming up in 2019. Some good things about 2018 What moves have you made in 2018? One thing I did was to move back to Baltimore, allowing me to be closer to my family, which is a good thing. I’ve also found a work-life balance that works for me. I took a trip to India and truly learned how to relax and be “in the moment”---and unplug. I had several nieces and cousins get married this year. Concerning the podcast, we hit 150 episodes this year and exceeded 150,000 downloads, which is utterly amazing! As we look ahead, think about the next phase for you and how you can improve. TWEET: “Life is figuring out who you are---and owning it.” #chasingdreams My top five lessons learned in 2018 What lessons have you learned this

Mental health---we all want it, but how do we get it and keep it? How is it connected to physical health? What should I do if I know something is wrong, but I don’t know where to go for help? Why is there so much stigma around the admission that I may need therapy or medications? Most people have had to face these questions at some point, but coming out on the “other side” is different, and using the struggle and triumph of our own weaknesses can bring hope and healing to others. My guest today has “been there,” and he’s here to share advice, wisdom, and answers. Anthony Hayes had lived in the darkness of anxiety and depression for years, up until a decade ago. He has since become an author, podcaster, blogger, and most importantly, a father. He’s a good friend and I’m excited for you to meet Anthony! Be selfish Do you make time for yourself? If you aren’t healthy and taking care of yourself, then you can’t help others. It comes down to the familiar “airline oxygen mask on yourself first,” before you look to

We all know that dreams can change over time, as we gain clarity and wisdom with the experience that comes from successes and failures. My guest today readily admits that he had the wrong perspective just a few years ago, and it was only when he changed his approach that things fell into place. Join us to see how he found the right path to his most important dreams. Alex Barker is no stranger to this podcast. He appeared way back in Episode 12, in 2015. Go back and take a listen if you haven’t heard our first conversation. Today, Alex has changed a lot of things in his life in chasing his dreams. He’s sharing with us how far he’s come, how the dream has changed, and how his chase has become different from the mishmash of distraction that it used to be. What Alex has learned Have you felt distracted and torn between the things you want to accomplish? Alex did a 66-day experiment and learned a lot about himself and his dreams. One lesson he learned was that he only has a certain amount of time each week to put

Have you ever thought about starting your own podcast? Today’s show has amazing tips from a seasoned expert in the world of podcasting. He has the answers to all your questions around all things podcasting. Don’t miss my conversation with Chris! Chris Krimitsos is often described as a change-maker, motivator, catalyst for change, and inspiration. Whether he’s working with a major company’s CEO or a new solopreneur, Chris is passionate about being a difference maker. Channeling that energy into creating a documentary, Chris has successfully birthed The Messengers: A Podcast Documentary, which has obtained worldwide distribution and theatrical screenings. With a unique skillset programmed to stay out in front of rapid change, Chris is a speaker, business leader, and source for growth who empowers audiences toward better opportunities for succeeding in business in the 21st century. A gift for communicating Has anyone ever done you the favor of shooting down your dream? Chris is from a “big, fat Greek family” in

How do you practice gratefulness? As we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving Day, I’m inspired by thoughts of being thankful, and want to share those thoughts with you on this unusual solo episode. I’m traveling in India with my family, but I want to focus some attention--and intention--on this special day and the overall importance of giving thanks. It’s the little things What is the purpose of the Thanksgiving holiday? Putting the historical aspects of Pilgrims and Indians aside, the purpose of the day is to give thanks for what we have in our lives, and for most of us, that means the “typical” things that are easy to identify. We all think of family, freedom, enough food to eat, a good job, and things to enjoy in life. But wait---there’s more! Don’t forget the little things that make life special. They can be little moments, little joys, little triumphs, and little events that teach us unforgettable lessons. For example, I’m thankful for travel, for family in India, for spending time throughout my childho

What are the valuable parts of YOUR story? What is the legacy you need to leave for the world? My guest today has a unique perspective on his role as a podcaster, believing he is entrusted with preserving today’s stories for future generations.  Nick Goblirsch has been a podcaster and producer for nearly four years, while having a successful HR leadership career AND running a family household with his wife, Megan, host of the You Be You with Meg and Liv podcast. Despite having graduated with a degree in Fine Arts, design, radio, and video, Nick had long since turned off the passionate part of his life to focus on the NOW of raising children. A close friend of his started his own business, but needed someone with multimedia expertise. In came Nick, who for a small window of time every other week, started drawing on those dormant skills and escaped a bit from the day-to-day grind of his career to do something new and refreshing for a friend. As he started building his friend’s brand, that creative itch sta

How often does self-sabotage, fear, or doubt get in your way? Do your priorities align to give you balance and fulfillment in the life you want to live? We are covering these topics and more with practical tips from someone who is using her journey to help others in personal growth. Kelly Resendez is a mom, business executive, bestselling author, and influencer. She loves helping others with strategies to overcome self-sabotage and find more joy. She’s the author of the new and already popular book, Big Voices, and is the founder of the women-empowered network of the same name. Kelly is passionate about helping people increase joy, reduce suffering, and learn to think differently. It’s her own journey that has helped her create the strategies and tools she shares in her books. Kelly is currently the Executive Vice President of Paramount Partners Group, which is a division of Loan Pal. She uses the same concepts of mindfulness, self discovery, and goal setting to help those in the mortgage and real estate indu

What does it take to truly chase your dreams? For many people, living up to everyone else’s expectations squelches the fearlessness that it takes to go after dreams. Today’s show is all about not losing the youthful exuberance and drive that sets us on the path to our dreams. Monica Rivera is a NYC-based podcast producer, consultant, and speaker who is living a life full of experience by shaking up routines and challenging conventional thinking. She’s the host of YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!--a weekly podcast heard in over 70 countries. YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! Is a podcast about exploring interests, allowing ourselves to change, choose, and try, whether it’s a lifestyle, hobby, fitness transformation, career change, or a bucket list item. Young dreams Does Mom really know best? Monica’s mom didn’t think she could earn a good living or have a stable career doing something creative, so she pushed her into economics. Monica quickly realized it wasn’t her “thing,” but it put her on the corporate ladder. The younger Monica ori

Most people probably don’t realize the path that others take to success. We see the finished product and what looks like easy success, but we need to realize that there are very few who experience true “overnight success.” There is usually a long, hard path with ups and downs, and failures are more common than success.  Dawn J. Fraser is a storyteller, educator and nationally-acclaimed speaker based out of York City. She is the host of the live show and upcoming podcast “Barbershop Stories,” which features storytellers performing true tales in barbershops and salons. Dawn has created programs for college students, educators and entrepreneurs to develop leadership potential through storytelling, and is an instructor with The Moth and The Story Studio. She was featured among some of the nation’s top innovators and change makers as a speaker at TED@NYC and has performed in shows including The Moth Mainstage, Story Collider, RISK and The Unchained Tour. She loves being a twin, a Trinidadian, and tweetable @d