Unconventional Leaders

“If you doubt yourself, people will doubt you.” Today we are revisiting an episode with Linda Raynier who is a wildly successful YouTuber teaching career strategy and communication skills to ambitious professionals. I wanted to uproot this conversation from a couple of years ago because the principles Linda shares are GOLD to us as creatives because we have to sharpen the skill set of communication and owning our space in every room we walk into. Ready to break free from intimidation and OWN your gifts?   Connect with Linda: http://www.lindaraynier.com Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LindaRaynier QUESTIONS ASKED: How do we get comfortable with who we are when surrounded by people who intimidate us? How do we start mastering our physical presence in addition to the words we say? What advice do you have for people who have invested in one career and now want to pursue something different without it all being a waste?   FROM TODAY’s EPISODE: Communicating in a way that allows your strengths and talents t

“The fight is a part of the growth.” How do we strive for excellence in our work without falling into the trap of perfection? How do we make space for creativity and trust the process all while dealing with the demands of work and life? Today we are connecting with my friend Bruce Pulver, who shares with us why he believes, right now, UR-ENUF.   Connect with Bruce: http://abovethechatterourwordsmatter.com/ Instragam:https://www.instagram.com/above_the_chatter_bruce_pulver/ TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcRcr8m_WPc   TOPICS: Pursuing creativity, while having a job and raising a family How do you know if something is an assignment? Detaching from outcome (trusting the process) Learning “enoughness” within yourself and addressing inadequacy Keeping promises to yourself in order to build confidence   WHO IS BRUCE? Bruce Pulver is a highly sought-after international TEDx speaker and author. What started out as a single word of inspiration after a life-changing "BAM Moment" has grown to so much more…

“Be true to your craft. Work on your craft. Put it out and the money will come.” A lot of people TALK about what they are going to create, very few follow through. What is the difference between dreaming of something and actually making it happen? Today we are talking with director, producer, and owner of  M3 Creative Michael Mueller about what it takes to go from hobbyist to pro in the creative space.   TOPICS: Making yourself valuable in your industry  Networking & finding the right people for your team Staying hopeful in the grind of day to day stuff Difference between high performance and those who quit Cultivating the right energy and attracting the right people How to pick what creative idea to pursue   Connect with Michael: https://www.m3creative.net/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-creative-af-podcast/id1515796443 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/EscobarWorldwide   WHO IS MICHAEL? Michael “Mad Mike” Mueller- husband, father, and entrepreneur - has established himself as

“You cannot please and create at the same time.” Want to make bigger and bolder choices, but feel massive resistance when thinking about “putting yourself out there”? You know deep down that committed decisions and a more powerful resolve will cultivate a more dynamic energy in your work, but you are unsure how to get there. Today we are joined by one of LA’s top acting coaches, Joseph Pearlman, who teaches us why the “secret sauce” is committing to your unique personality and making dangerous choices. Connect with Joseph: https://www.josephpearlman.com/   TOPICS: What is the difference between a choice and a dangerous choice? Honoring your personality and making things “your flavor” Dealing with criticism and standing up for yourself   WHO IS JOSEPH? Joseph Pearlman is a celebrity acting coach and owner of Pearlman Acting Academy (PAA). Voted “Best Acting Studio & Coach” in L.A., Joseph helps actors launch their careers faster, guarantee audition wins, win series leads before they go to casting, and re

“Being willing to ask for things means you will get more.” Beth went to school to be a therapist but decided to go the unconventional path and create her own job title. She is passionate about fanning the flame within artists to “safeguard” their creative practice, grow their businesses...and make their art (no matter what) Connect with Beth: https://www.bethpickens.com/ TOPICS: How do we know when we are ready to go “all in'' with our art? Safeguarding your creative practice (finding the time, etc) Going for the ask and building your creative business   WHO IS BETH? Beth Pickens is a Los Angeles-based consultant for artists and arts organizations. She is the author of Make Your Art No Matter What (Chronicle Books, 2021.) Her previous book is Your Art Will Save Your Life (Feminist Press, 2018).  Her pamphlets—Making Art During Fascism and On Artists and Hopelessness—were designed and distributed by the Feminist Center for Creative Work in Los Angeles. Her popular podcast, Mind Your Practice, is widely avail

"Creativity is dangerous, baby." James is a creative with an opinion...a strong one. He wants you too, to share your opinion and “trust” your weirdness. He says that not only makes great art, but it serves your clients, your audience, and heck...the world too. Today we are going to rethink work and play...and Feck Perfuction. Connect with James: https://www.jamesvictore.com/ TOPICS: Trusting your weirdness (that's what the market wants) How to UNBLOCK yourself from expressing your opinions Is there ever a time where perfection has a place in our work? WHO IS JAMES? Highly regarded for his provocative style, James Victore is a graphic designer, art educator, and dynamic high in-demand speaker on creativity. He lectures and teaches regularly around the globe, inspiring people to illuminate their individual gifts in order to achieve personal greatness. Described as “part Darth Vader, part Yoda,” James is widely known for his timely wisdom and impassioned views about design and it’s place in the world. As well

"We need people who have the courage to be unconventional." Our guest this week, Vlad Roskin, Spent ten years as an architect but felt unfulfilled. He decided to dig in deep, figure out how he wanted to serve the world, and landed on photography. Today we talk about taking time to understand who you really are, what lessons has he pulled from architecture that he uses in photography, and how we need to cultivate the right environments in order to be creative. Connect with Vlad: https://www.vladicroskin.com/ on IG @vladsgallery/   TOPICS: How our environments influence us and the importance of ritual Cultivating curiosity in your environment Being present to really capture something   FOLLOW US:  SHOW NOTES: https://www.heatherparady.com/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/heatherparady TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherparady? FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/645500432309046 --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/unconventionalleaders/

"You should be different. You are a unique individual." Is there something more in you that you feel like has not been tapped into or fully owned yet? Is there a side of yourself that you want to explore but you are afraid to really own that part of yourself? Misty Tripoli is the founder of The World GROOVE, a movement that has inspired millions of people to dance their hearts out and reclaim their authenticity through physical movement and self-reflection. She joins us today to help us TAP BACK IN and own who we truly are and what we were called to do.   Connect with Misty: https://theworldgroovemovement.com/   TOPICS: How to find (and own) the core of who you are Developing a practice to return to your authentic self Commanding prayers & fear restricted movement (why are we terrified to move our bodies?)   WHO IS MISTY? Misty is a founder of The World GROOVE (https://theworldgroovemovement.com/), a movement that has inspired millions of people to dance their hearts out and reclaim their authenticity t

“You will likely find the most alignment, flow, and success in your life the moment you accept your uniqueness.”   We are REVISITING Human Design today with the amazing Erin Claire Jones who is going to share with us what our “energetic blueprint” can tell us about the way we move in this world, our creativity and flow, and even how we can best work and eat!  Out of all the self-discovery assessments, there is SOMETHING about Human Design that is gaining massive popularity. Why? After listening to this conversation you will understand how this information can dig into the unique parts of yourself and help you feel more free and alive. As Erin so beautifully says, “You will likely find the most alignment, flow, and success in your life the moment you accept your uniqueness.”   Here's the link to get your Blueprint, a personalized guide to your unique design: erinclairejones.com/blueprint   The code UNCONVENTIONAL will get 10% off their Blueprint or a spot in her next Flow workshop :)   Look up your design: e

“There is no higher calling than the thing we were designed to do” What does it take to go FULL time in what you love? Our guest this week Jeremy Slagle believes it starts with managing your expectations and being clear on who you are. Jeremy is an award-winning graphic designer who went all-in with his creative business and shares with us today what he has learned in over 25-years of pursuing the creative path. Connect with Jeremy:  https://www.slagledesign.com/   TOPICS: Successful marriage when running a business Balancing ambition and creative nudges What should an artist or creative consider before going to college? Understanding that your art DOES matter and seeing the impact in it Our higher calling through our art and being a co-creator with God   WHO IS JEREMY? Jeremy is an award-winning Graphic Designer with over twenty-five years of experience, an all-around creative wonder kid, and Kickstarter aficionado, Jeremy is the Principal of Slagle Design and has been the main speaker at dozens of creativ

“I am not going to wait around for opportunities, I am going to create my own opportunities. ” Growing up he never thought he could make a career being creative but a few years ago he decided to leave the corporate world and take the leap. Today our guest Dominick Racano shares with us what it takes to go the creative path and go all-in on what you love.    Connect with Dominick: https://www.shiftdrinkscomedy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/DominickRacano/ https://www.atlcomedyawards.com/   TOPICS: Going after what you love and ENJOYING it What do you do with all your ideas when you want to pursue them all Welcoming adversity and dealing with rejection as a creative   WHO IS DOMINICK? Born in the Bronx, Dominick Racano, is the youngest of five. Growing up in a large, and oftentimes, loud Italian family led Racano to channel his energy and humor into entertaining friends and keeping out of trouble in his neighborhood. Like others before him, Racano got bogged down in the rat race of corporate America, but he

“It takes guts to break out and change who you are.” As a young man, he described himself as overweight and said that he only picked up boxing to get a date to the prom. He didn’t get the date, but his life completely changed. Today we have the former Captain of the USA National boxing team Cam F. Awesome to talk to us about the mindset you have to be all that you dream of being and why he is now steering his energy towards teaching youth cultural competence.  Connect with Cam: www.camfawesome.com TOPICS: Reinventing yourself and building confidence Finding freedom within and letting go of safety nets Teaching students how to be culturally competent and the message of “intent vs. impact” Reframing disappointment and failure and why people “relate to losers”   WHO IS CAM F AWESOME? Cam F Awesome is a well-known professional speaker and personality. He is an Emmy Nominated, 6 time USA National Champion, 4 time Golden Gloves National Champion, 3 Time Olympic Trials Champion  Heavyweight boxer, and former Capta

“Empathy always” Jack Catalano is a high school accessibility specialist. He has been in the field for over ten years and said he was super inspired by the events of 2020 and the disability community on TikTok. What he has created since is nothing but Unconventional...    TOPICS: What internal work needs to be done for “radical inclusion”? Overcoming your fear of putting yourself “out there” and creating content around things you are passionate about. Educating online and approaching big topics creatively   WHO IS JACK? I am a public school teacher for students with disabilities. I teach a self-contained classroom for autistic students. I have a masters degree in educational leadership and I am an advocate for radical inclusion, acceptance, and greater opportunities for people with disabilities. I believe that when everyone is given room to be themselves, accepted for who they are, and given the proper accommodations to help them live and work like every other able-bodied human being, that there isn't anyth

“Do the Brave thing.” Whether you are wanting to grow your business or promote the work you have probably been told that you need an email list. But that doesn’t sound fun, does it? It’s a GREAT tool for marketing but the stigma around email marketing is real. How can we make it creative and meaningful?    TOPICS: What if you don't have an offering or monetize your audience- how can we use email lists? Coming up with content ideas and creative ways to serve consistently Can we make emails interactive and include media? Or will that hurt open rates? How to make email marketing feel less icky and something you are actually excited about Nurturing an email list you haven’t been consistent with    WHO IS KATE? Kate Doster is the host of the Inbox Besties Podcast, creator of the Love Your List 2.0 email marketing mega course, and is dangerously obsessed with helping ethical entrepreneurs carve out their slice of the interwebs. She helps her students woo open the hearts (and wallets) of their small but mighty aud

Is struggle always a sign that something went wrong?...or could it be a sign of something else? As creatives, business owners, those going the unconventional path, there are going to be struggling. I mean come on- we are pushing the envelope in our industries- it’s inevitable.  Sometimes we make “the struggle” about us or our work instead of understanding its role.   Connect with Grace: https://gracemarshall.com/   TOPICS: What do we do in the moment of struggle? When we notice fear trying to come in? How to best respond to someone who is struggling Not rushing through the struggle & confidently struggling in front of others   WHO IS GRACE MARSHALL? Author of the award-winning How to be Really Productive, Grace Marshall is known for her ‘refreshingly human’ approach to productivity. Featured in The Guardian, Forbes, and Huffpost, her work as a Productivity Ninja with global productivity training company Think Productive has helped thousands of people to replace stress, overwhelm, and frustration with su

He got kicked out of school at 15, left his dad’s bricklaying business, became a bouncer, and then built the world's Largest Concierge Company. Say what? Yup. Steve Sims joins us today to share how he got in the right rooms, led with a spirit of service, and ended up working with people like Sir Elton John and Elon Musk to organize wild adventures and become according to Forbes and Entrepreneur magazine,  “The Real-Life Wizard of Oz". Connect with Steve: https://www.stevedsims.com/   TOPICS: Breaking free of intimidation of getting out of “our pond into another pond” with people who think bigger. Using nerves and fear in your favor & being the SOLUTION to someone’s problem Asking “What can I bring to this party?” and a new philosophy to networking   WHO IS STEVE?  Do you know anyone that’s worked with Sir Elton John or Elon Musk, sent people down to see the wreck of the Titanic on the sea bed or closed museums in Florence for a private dinner party and then had Andrea Bocelli serenade them while they ea

Can you laugh about trauma? How do you create content and art around taboo topics? Today’s guest Sebastian Scales was molested by his friend’s dad as a kid and now does stand-up comedy about it. He has a podcast called ‘What happened to you?’ where he and others talk and laugh about their trauma in an effort to remove the stigma around these types of conversations. He also runs a nonprofit called the ‘What happened to you Foundation’ dedicated to providing trauma victims with the resources they need.    Connect with Sebastian: https://www.whtyfoundation.org/   TOPICS: How standup helped him heal from his experiences  Removing the pressure in how we talk about trauma Having difficult conversations with your kids/helping them feel comfortable to talk to you How to create content around heavier topics & moving past the fear of offending people   RESOURCES: INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/heatherparady/ HAPPY BRAIN: https://anchor.fm/happy-brain YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/heatherparady TIKTOK: https://ww

We all want to make a difference through our work, right? Regardless of what your creative pursuits are or what you feel called to do, if we want to really make an impact we will lead with Love. And it all starts with leading ourselves. Today we have my good friend and creator of Always Better than Yesterday, Ryan Hartley, on to talk about why we should not only work on our  “mindset” but also lean into and embrace our  “heart-set”.  Connect with Ryan: www.ryanhartley.co.uk TOPICS: Trusting your own instincts and not comparing yourself to others How to refill when you are always giving of yourself An encounter Ryan had with God that changed his life Heart-Set VS. Mindset Attracting opportunities vs the grind   WHO IS RYAN? Ryan Hartley is a Heart and Mind coach from Wiltshire, England. He helps people lead with love and serve with purpose and believes the impact of the leaders he helps develop will create a world that is Always Better than Yesterday, one person, one team, and one community at a time.  Ryan

How are you meant to show up in this world? What is the story you are telling yourself about who you are?  Our guest this week, Victoria Jane, looked at my birth time and location and literally read my book. How? Well, she says she read my Human Design. Connect with Victoria: https://www.victoriajane.co/   TOPICS: What exactly is Human Design? The five types and how that can inform how we understand ourselves How Human Design can help us learn to trust ourselves Human design strategy, authority, and centers Why is this important to understand and does it help us discover our bigger purpose? Does our design ever shift or change as we grow and develop? WHO IS VICTORIA? Victoria is a human design coach whose mission is to guide growth-oriented humans to live with less hustle and more flow. After a decade in Silicon Valley achieving everything she thought she was supposed to, Victoria was earthquaked into the harsh reality: she was burnt out and in danger of doing irreparable damage to her health. As she sear

Want to be bolder? I think some of the boldest people I've seen are spoken word poets- today we learn from one about the power of vulnerability and how we can use our voices more powerfully.   TOPICS: Finding and using your authentic voice (boldly) Allowing yourself to be more vulnerable in your work Finding your own creative process and shutting out the noise WHO IS KIM? Kim B Miller’s poetry is inspirational, her words are bold and she is unapologetically blunt.  Kim is the Poet Laureate for Prince William County. She is the first African American Poet Laureate for PWC, VA.  Her poems have been published in African Voices magazine, a Portuguese book, a DC newspaper, an interfaith anthology, and several magazines and books. Her latest powerful poetry book is called: My Poetry is The Beauty You Overlook. Kim performed at The National Black Theater, The Atlas Performing Arts Center, Northern Virginia Community College, and many other venues. Kim’s a motivational speaker that cultivates growth. She uses her