It's Not Just Business Talks with Sonja

Welcome to It's Not Just Business Talks with Sonja where we get down to the real business of how great leaders dug through some of their own trenches and climbed some epic mountains to get where they are today.

A tale of two roads 09/14/2023

A tale of two roads In a world where success is often equated with a prestigious Ivy League education, and the allure of the "school of hard knocks" beckons those who carve their own way, which path truly leads to triumph? Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we delve into the lives and insights of extraordinary individuals who have navigated both worlds, proving that success isn't bound by the confines of traditional education. Our guest, Mansour Salame, is a dynamic tech executive, serial entrepreneur, and accomplished investor. His journey exemplifies the remarkable fusion of academic excellence and real-world experience. Mansour's illustrious career started with his groundbreaking startup, NextAge Technologies, which caught the attention of Alcatel and was eventually acquired. His second venture, Contactual, was equally triumphant and was acquired by 8x8. Now, as he spearheads his third startup, FrontSpin, Mansour's story is a testament to the power of innovation and perseverance. What sets Mansour's narrative apart is his dual educational background. Armed with a Masters of Science degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University, Mansour is an embodiment of the dual paths many contemplate. In this episode, we explore the value of an Ivy League education, the skills and connections it fosters, and how it shaped Mansour's career. Conversely, we unravel the lessons learned in the "school of hard knocks," where hands-on experiences and gritty determination pave the way. As an investor in various tech startups and the President of Petree Properties, a leading real estate investment firm, Mansour's wisdom extends beyond tech innovation. He's served on the Board of Directors of 8x8, and his insights into diverse industries provide a holistic perspective on success. Join us for an illuminating conversation as we uncover the threads that bind these two paths to greatness. Discover how Mansour's unique journey underscores the idea that there's no one-size-fits-all route to success. Whether you're eyeing those hallowed halls of academia or forging your path through the crucible of real-world challenges, this episode will inspire you to embrace the path that resonates with you. Tune in and redefine your understanding of success. To learn more, visit https://zo.agency, or call (541) 633 4725. /episode/index/show/talkswithsonja/id/28098869

Flexibility 10/20/2022

Grief 05/06/2022

Grief Nathan Bettger is a board-certified hospital chaplain and spiritual director from Oshkosh, WI, where he lives with his wife (Kat), his two sons (Brendan Arthur and Owen Raine), his welsh terrier (Wendell), and Brendan’s service dog, Harley. Nathan is committed to nurturing connection and community through our relationships, our bodies, our sense of self, the land that we live on, and our experience of the Divine. Deeply grounded in contemplative and mystic Christianity and nature-based spirituality, Nathan seeks to consistently invite others into more unitive and loving life, whether it be through spiritual companioning, caring for those in the hospital, advocating for more natural earth keeping, caring for his honey bees and his native wildflower garden, or writing. Nathan has led community groups for many years focused on spiritual integration, conversations on death and dying, grief support, and men’s spirituality. He is also particularly passionate about living within our limits and frailty, being a parent of a son with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and walking alongside patients every day through their diagnoses, their loss of ability, and their illness. He received his Masters in Divinity from Bethel Seminary in St Paul, MN and Certificates of Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction from George Fox Seminary in Portland, OR. Nathan served on the founding board for the men’s spirituality non-profit, Illuman and is a graduate scholar of the Orphan Wisdom School, led by teacher, storyteller and author, Stephen Jenkinson. Here’s a Glimpse of What You’ll Learn: Who Nathan Bettger is The way that grief affects people Not everything that hurts is bad In This Episode: In this episode of It’s Not Just Business Talks with Sonja, we get to meet Nathan Bettger, a spiritual director and hospital chaplain. Through Nathan’s work, grieving families have found ways to cope with loss. Grief is a powerful force, but it doesn’t have to be negative. Nathan has shown us that there is something good that can come from pain and suffering; that we should not be afraid to hurt because it means that we are alive. Bettger’s work is important because it gives us a glimpse into the various ways we lose people and how grief affects us. He has shown that not everything that hurts is bad, and by understanding the grieving process we can better support those who are going through it. His work allows us to see the beauty in life, even after tragedy. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Sponsor for This Episode: This episode is brought to you by , a tight-knit team of online and offline . At zö, we serve as the marketing department for . We know that and can be demanding and time-consuming — that’s why we make the so easy-breezy that you don’t have to sacrifice precious time to get the results you need. To learn more, visit or call (541) 633 4725. /episode/index/show/talkswithsonja/id/23033822