150. It can't be that hard; I'll figure it out - Linda Sivertsen
Peace and Possibilities
As a young girl writing love letters, my 150th podcast guest always had an inkling she'd be a writer. It's funny though, that although Linda Sivertsen was always obsessed with books, she didn't think she was smart enough to write her own. As she grew her dog walking business, she contemplated something more. Then she had a series of dreams and felt like she'd been tapped on the shoulder to write books. But how? She didn't know anything about it! (I can totally relate. But anything is possible.) She didn't stop there. She learned the rules....
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149. Challenges are entry points to possibilities - Toni Anderson
Peace and Possibilities
As a young girl, her parent's separation was a life-changing event. But attending camp at age 7 ignited a new found curiosity and fascination with nature. Toni Anderson knew she'd found her happy place. Through her life and career, she marched on and struggled, becoming scrappy along the way. Over the course of her career she began: Helping teams understand human relations Escaping to nature Healing, nurturing, and offering love And when she'd struggle, she didn't know those moments were gifts. Who ever really does? She explains that challenges are...
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148. Helping people be their best in the moments that matter - Marilyn Barrios
Peace and Possibilities
From thinking she’d be a pediatric cardiologist to becoming a cyberspace engineer, my guest this week reminds me that life sometimes takes you in different directions. We all know that right? Marilyn Barrios was searching for more than a job. She wanted to help people, have an impact and help others be their best in the moments that matter. Turns out she was great in an early sales role. Soon technical methods, engineering solutions and solving problems were her wheelhouse. She was enthralled with those concepts. Now she's a senior leader at Motorola, but not by...
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147. She wanted peace and freedom - Lisa Anderson
Peace and Possibilities
My guest this week, Lisa Anderson, did not want to be tied down. She wanted peace and freedom. Who can relate to that? I'm guessing all of us. Along her career journey, she was told by many people "I love the way you talk". And she began to wonder what other work she would be able to do, working for herself. She knew this would mean she could control her income and depend on herself. Like her, you CAN concentrate on what you WANT to create! She urges us to remember: Don't let fear hold you back Follow your gut instincts You have more options...
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146. A trace of hope - Victoria Repka-Geller
Peace and Possibilities
My guest this week had a successful, albeit stressful, marketing and advertising career. For years she did whatever it took to meet the needs of her clients. And she was really good at it. But she was overspent. Imagine that! Eventually she began to ponder about doing more for a different impact. Victoria knew she loved leading people and getting the best out of them. So she sought more insight. Then she became a coach, helping even more people. After discussing success and options, we both agreed education can make all the difference. That's why she started...
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145. Keep chipping away until you discover the gem - Syda Segovia Taylor
Peace and Possibilities
Syda Segovia Taylor is a champion for social justice, wellness and healing. From a student at UIC, to a dance teacher and health advocate. She's been fighting for what's right since she was a young girl. Her parents and her family came to America because they thought "you can do anything here". But she learned very quickly: wait, no you can't! She realized early on that it wasn't as simple as her parents had thought or planned. And that began her journey to social justice. She began to ask questions and look around - trying to see who needed help to fit in, and become more. Then she beat...
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144. You're taking years off your life - Elizabeth Cohen
Peace and Possibilities
Elizabeth Cohen once thought she wanted to be a math teacher. Then she discovered psychology. And boy did she adore psychology. Like many of us at certain points in our lives, she was very clear that she was going to do this. But when she finished her psychology degree and decided to pursue an advanced degree, she was not accepted. So she gave up and completely changed directions. No, no, just kidding. She tried again. And in her case, the 2nd time was the charm. She reminds us: We can't blame outside issues for our inside problems Turn...
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143. Fear is nothing but energy and info - Cynthia James
Peace and Possibilities
Cynthia James is a risk taker at heart. When she was younger she was preoccupied with surviving. But little by little, she moved from welfare to possibilities in part, because of her grandma's wisdom. She kept planting seeds, encouraging Cynthia to think bigger. And she went from being a flight attendant to Miss Minnesota, then becoming an actor and a singer! There are a lot of good nuggets in our conversation. Mainly, Cynthia thinks it's important to know: what lights you up? And to ask yourself: what would you do for free? My favorite thing she said was:...
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142. It may feel like an accident, but it almost never is - Amanda Parker
Peace and Possibilities
When Amanda Parker and I chatted, she said, "It may feel like an accident, but it almost never is." I couldn't agree more! I seem to be saying that a lot lately. It's because I trust my gut when I select guests for my podcast. We tend to be like minded. I don't believe we need to be this way for everything, but I want to talk to people that believe what I believe about possibilities, so I can amass more proof. Proof of what? Proof that anything is possible! From Latin American studies to communication, Amanda fell in love with certain topics. Then she began working with...
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141. Walking down an illuminated path - Michelle Chalfant
Peace and Possibilities
Helping, solving problems, and being with people. Since high school my guest this week, Michelle Chalfant, has wanted to help others resolve their issues. Good news for her because she's very good at it. Through her coaching, podcast and business, she's healing the planet. I don't say that lightly. It's because she's training an army of light warriors so that we can all feel and be better. She's really passionate about it too! What has she learned along her journey? Delegate what you're not good at. Stick to the things you're naturally great at. Do the self work (you...
info_outlineMy guest this week had a successful, albeit stressful, marketing and advertising career. For years she did whatever it took to meet the needs of her clients. And she was really good at it. But she was overspent.
Imagine that!
Eventually she began to ponder about doing more for a different impact.
Victoria knew she loved leading people and getting the best out of them. So she sought more insight. Then she became a coach, helping even more people.
After discussing success and options, we both agreed education can make all the difference.
That's why she started Trace of Hope, an organization that helps students pay for college.
She's learned many things over the years, in corporate America and while having her own business.
Some advice from Victoria:
- Always try to look at your situation differently
- Assure people when listening: I heard you, I understand you
- Be open to different experiences
- Seek out a mentor
When you're overspent, seeking a new way to make an impact and use your gifts to help others, is definitely possible. Just ask Victoria!
More about Victoria:
Victoria Repka-Geller is an executive coach specializing in career and business transformation, as well as as a marketing strategist, with 19+ years experience in Branding, Marketing & Advertising for Fortune 500 companies. She was featured in the WSJ’s The High Cost of Avoiding Conflict at Work and Barbara Stanny’s Sacred Success. Victoria’s customizable 5-step programs — Power over Your Career and Power over Your Business — provide roadmaps for executive and business positive ROI and success.
In addition to her professional pursuits, Victoria founded the non-profit Trace of Hope Inc., which strives to help break the cycle of poverty by alleviating student debt through their Direct-to-Recipient (DTR) grant giving rounds. Trace of Hope aggregates donations of any size, and makes grants directly to students in such a way that donors see firsthand who benefits from their generosity. (Want to help a student? No donation is too small or, dare we hope, too big! Contact us at [email protected])
And check out my bestselling book:
Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective:
8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career