Embark

Humans are complicated. We often crave change... as long as we don't have to work to make it happen. How great would it be if we could have that dream job, or perfect mate, or lose that pesky 10 pounds, with a wave of a wand or a sprinkle of pixie dust? Life would be perfect. So much for magical thinking. Change, unless it happens from external sources, is an inside job. Yes, it is so hard, we may whine, but so well worth it if it brings us closer to what we want and honors our values.  Desire plus self-knowledge plus action equals change. Lisa DeAngelis knows a thing or two about change and describes the obstacles we encounter (or put in our own way), the reasons behind our resistance and the rewards we receive when we explore new possibilities.  She shares through research, personal experience and case studies what's involved in change and how it's not as difficult or as easy as it looks. She also tells me when change isn't such a good idea, if the justification is 'all the other kids are doing it'. Join us, then  share your own experience with change.  Thanks for listening. About Lisa Lisa DeAngelis is a holistic change practitioner, author, teacher, and speaker. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and helping others live authentically. Her debut book, Embracing the Unknown: Exploring the Pathways to Change offers research, wisdom, and aspirational stories which will empower and support others in learning to navigate change in their own lives. Lisa’s own unfolding journey has established her commitment to living with intention and purpose and helping others walk through the meaningful intersections of their lives. An avid traveler, singer and lover of the arts, Lisa lives and works in New York City

Our voiceprint is as unique as our fingerprint, and we understand a little about how we use our physical voice. But how do we use a writer's voice, and what is it anyway? As readers,  we fall in love with certain writers, their word choice,  their attitude,  the memorable characters that populate a work of fiction, or the distinct style of an essayist or non-fiction writer. Whether you want to make your emails more engaging/impactful/entertaining  or if you're attempting to author a distint book of your own, it's essential to develop a voice that connects to the reader or listener. Anne Janzer, brings knowledge, wisdom and humor to this episode.  She has also written The Writer's Voice: Techniques for Tuning your Tone and Style, the fifth book in her Writer's Process Series. We discuss how many writer's feel about their writing and writer's voice, how you can improve and vary the style  in which you communicate,  the musicality of language and the importance of serving the reader. With a little practice and and a sense of play, you can master the art and science of writing voice. Anne Janzer is an award-winning author, armchair cognitive science geek, nonfiction author coach, marketing practitioner, and blogger. She’s on a mission to help people spread important ideas through writing. As a professional writer, she has worked with more than one hundred technology companies, writing in the voice of countless brands and corporate executives. She is author of the books Get the Word Out,  Writing to Be Understood,  The Writer’s Process, The Workplace Writer’s Process, and Subscription Marketing.

With two creative guilds (Writers Guild of America & SAG-AFTRA)  on strike, can we look forward to a repeat of this summer's Barbenhiemer double-bill phenom next summer? How much longer can striking actors and writers face off with big studios?  This strike affects many thousands more: Directors, script supervisors, hair and make-up, location scouts, gaffers, craft services, dialect coaches are just some of the essential members of a film crew. Collin Lieberg is Creative Executive at  Cobalt Knight, a genre production company focused on telling feature, series, and comic book stories about the human condition with touches of social commentary. He develops much of the content that you might view. Yet, these days, in solidarity with WGA and SAG-AFTRA, he's working on personal projects until the strikes are resolved. We talk about the striking creatives, the complications of negotiating with streaming companies and ponder what changes may happen and how that affects the film and TV industry whenever the strikes are settled.  Oh yeah. We also discuss Collin's musical background, and his fascination with the British Invasion of the 1960's. Collin Lieberg is a screenwriter, creative executive, and world traveler. He has spent many years living abroad and feeling out of place, so he writes about outsiders struggling to fit in. He has a background in academia, management, marketing, and retail that all inform his characters and stories.  For the past two years he has run a monthly #VirtualHappyHour (#VHH) Zoom mixer to connect with friends and make new connections.  He's working on two TV pilots and is gearing up to write his first novel. Read more here: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/terra-mystica-board-game-adaptation-cobalt-knight-1235363278/

You've probably heard the ubiquitous discussion  about AI.  How the bots are coming after your job, and are capable of  even greater nefarious actions. We put the nefarious aside today to address how AI voices are eliminating the need/desire to use human voice actors for many narration projects. So yes, Jack and my conversation is born out of self-interest, some trepidation and curiosity as to where all of this leads.  The development and now widespread  use of AI - for everything from ordering dinner to writing a book to litigating a legal case -  has significant consequences, which we will continue to explore throughout our season. Speaking of significant consequences, Jack and I talk about the SAG-AFTRA theatrical strike,  as well as blockbuster movie openings despite it.  Barbie and Oppenheimer, also known as Barbenheimer, or Oppenbarbie, have moviegoers filling theatre seats in record numbers.  In just three weeks, Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig, has broken box office records, taking in over one billion dollars globally. Not bad for a girl : ) At the same time, Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer's has taken in  500 million dollars. Not too shabby for a three-hour film about the development of the nuclear bomb, another consequential event. See a theme here? We have some fun, and Jack indulges in some shameless (albeit well-deserved)  self-promotion.  Thanks for listening.

Feeling overwhelmed? Lonely? Burnt-out and unfulfilled? You're not alone. When the Surgeon General declares a mental health crisis, you know you're feelings of anxiety and depression are not outliers. Mental Health Counselor Jon Mattleman provides some calm, as well as some strategies you can use to help you get over some of life's most challenging times and perhaps lift your spirits. We talk about the changing phenomenon of how we choose  - if at all, to show up at work, where to find fulfillment in several overlooked and abandoned professions and how Jon discovered his 'emergency joy' in a quarter of Brigham's chocolate chip ice cream. About Jon Mattleman Across all of his work, Jon brings warmth, understanding, and patience…plus a healthy dose of humor! In his more than 30 years of experience as a therapist and presenter, clients have felt comforted by his ability to acknowledge that the challenges they face are complex – and often downright exhausting! In acknowledgment of this, his work is grounded in delivering tools that can be implemented immediately. Who has time to wait? More about Jon's work here

Passions. Some people say follow your passions and you'll never work a day in your life. Do what you love and the money will follow. Is that true?  If we don't take the road less traveled, will we regret it, or be ever grateful to the parents who urged us to attend business school or find 'a real job'? Is it possible to follow a more traditional, pragmatic career path and either find passion there?  How important is having a career for an interest we have passion for, especially if we lack talent or said passion? Passions. What are they good for? Which route leads to success - and  happiness - following your passions or being pragmatic? Can those two things coexist? Jack and I will let you know as we discuss our own career paths, the advice we would give our younger selves and wax poetic about a little, old TV show called 'WKRP in Cincinnati'.  Welcome to our world. Please share this episode with a friend, mention it on the socials and please subscribe.

Andy Warhol said 'In the future everyone will be world famous for 15 minutes. Seems like everyone will have a book a well. It can raise your profile as a professional, bring your creditibility as an expert, get you speaking engagements, and if it's a good book, make you famous. Many non-fiction, business books and memoirs are written by ghostwriters, those unsung heroes of the literary world who take the facts and history of someone's life and experience and transform it into an engaging narrative. Today, on Embark, we delve into this world of story craft with Sherry Granader. As a ghostwriter of over 150 books, with 5 on Amazon’s bestseller list, Sherry  is also a certified Sports Nutritionist.  She has ghostwritten books and memoirs for CEOs, business owners, Doctors, Lawyers, Scientists, and Clinical Nutritionists.   In addition to attending Culinary School at the University of Montana, Sherry is also an author of 2 healthy cookbooks, “Eat Right, Feel Good, Lose Weight, Have Fun – You won’t be hungry!” and “Soy You Wanna Lose Weight?”   She served as the On-Air Nutritionist for QVC television in the United States and the UK and hosted her weekly “Healthy Living” segments for PBS television.  Sherry is passionate about sharing her writing talents with authors to help them express their voices, knowledge, and life experiences to create a book he or she can be proud of. Sherry specializes in non-fiction, memoirs, medical and business books. Is writing a book in your future? Here are Sherry's top 10 reasons to worth with a ghostwriter. 1.    Not Getting it Done - The main reason I'd consider engaging a ghostwriter is if you're in a position where you've wanted to write a book for years and just aren't getting it done. If you've realized that it's just not going to happen if you're on your own, then a ghostwriter can turn your idea into a publishable draft. 2.    TIME – most of my authors work full time and do not have the time it takes to create a publisher-ready manuscript. A book of 150+ pages takes about 4 months write 3 chapters per month. 3.    A Ghostwriter and Bring Your Story to Life - It’s still your ideas and knowledge in many cases, and the ghostwriter brings has the writing chops to bring it to life. 4.    No ONE has to know – operative word – ghost. There is nothing shady about hiring a ghostwriter. It might seem strange that ghostwriters don’t take any credit for their work and you might worry that they’ll resent you, but rest assured: contracted ghostwriters are perfectly content with their jobs.  5.    It is a collaborative effort - Ghostwriting collaborations are as rewarding for the ghostwriter as they are for the person hiring them, and they've helped countless people fulfill publishing goals they could previously only dream of. 6.    Ghostwriters are chameleons who bring other people's stories to the page in fiction and nonfiction. They are versatile, the chameleons of the writing world, and can effortlessly switch between styles and genres.  7.    Lack the Know-How - No one knows your life story better than you, but you may lack the know-how to tie it all together in a way that is easy to follow and that the average reader will appreciate. Enter the ghostwriter, who can synthesize all your memories and anecdotes into a moving autobiography or entertaining memoir with a little distance from the topic! 8.    Ghostwriters ask the right questions – especially when it comes to writing a memoir. Often too close to the topic as the author, the ghostwriter asks the ques

AI Voices. We hear about them every day. And we hear them every day. At the airport. Waiting for a bus or train. On that small console on our kitchen counter or, God forbid, bedside table. Smart assistants make our lives easier: Ask them anything. But the technology also hears a lot. Perhaps a lot that we’d rather keep to ourselves. In this episode, I talk about my own ambivalence about the quickly evolving development of and our growing comfort with AI.  For many of us in the voice over industry, as well as other creative pursuits like graphic design, animation, writing, and professions like law, there's a certain uneasiness with the technology as well.  AI: Something to fear or embrace? The technology is here to stay, so it’s best to understand it and use it to our best advantage. Professionally speaking, it’s a great tool, but I’m going to double down on being human.  A few weeks ago, voice actor Ann Lucente and I moderated a panel discussion on AI in Clubhouse.  Listen to the replay here.   Recent Embark guest Kirsten Rourke weighed in on AI, among other things. Find our conversation here.  As always, let's keep it human. And thanks for listening.    

She is a TED-talking, eLearning, tech-savvy, belly-dancing, wine-sipping presentation coach, and she's my guest today on Embark. Ongoing Mastery's Kirsten Rourke worked freelance with training vendors for over 20 years, gaining expertise in adjusting to environments on the fly and fixing training programs that weren’t working for clients’ needs. She's been an e-Learning developer, staff instructional designer, and production manager for a large international team. In addition to being a Certified Technical Trainer, Kirsten has a Master’s of Education in Instructional Design. She shifted her business to Rourke Training LLC in January 2022 to bring a focus on performance, engagement, and instructional design to leaders who know they need to adapt to their speaking environment and audience in the moment without stress.    In this episode we discuss the key to engagement, even in the virtual meting, the growing industry of instructional design,  the ubiquitous AI discussion, her stint at Burger King University,  a favorite belly dancing performances and her recommendation for a quaffable spring wine. Thanks for joining the conversation.

"Everything rests on your ability to communicate." Catherine Johns walks - and talks - the talk. I have the  pleasure to share a fantastic conversation where we discuss how to gracefully navigate the dreaded Zoom talk, as well as how to own the stage, even when you are being heckled, er, challenged by an unruly audience member. Hear Catherine's take on how the overthinking speaker gets centered, where to place yourself on stage, and when to move and why a bot will never replace her. About Catherine: Catherine John's guides executives and entrepreneurs to craft a clear compelling message and deliver it with confidence charisma, and maybe a quirk. If you're from the Midwest, you may remember Catherine from Chicago radio as a morning show personality and talk show host. She perfected the art of making information interesting. While she invited interaction and probably develop to some incredible improvisational skills, she has consulted with companies like JP Morgan, Bank of America, and good year to elevate their presentation skills. She provides coaching and training on executive presence, client communication and public speaking, along with special sessions for women on professional presence. Find her book, Show and Shine: Simple Steps to Boost Your Confidence and Charisma on Amazon

Tired of the news cycle? Sick of the constant drip, drip, drip of downbeat information?  So are we, so Jack and I decided less news media consumption, more turning up the volume and indulging our passion for listening to music.  We couldn't help but watch the State of the Union Address, though.  We wander into political territory, before going to the happy place of sharing favorite bands, and wondering if Rock 'n Roll is still a thing. If it's not, is it time to re-think the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?  Broaden the tent to encompass all genres? I like that idea. It feels democratic, and  since I embrace all kinds of music, it seems right. We also talk about altered states, aka cosmetic surgery. Many celebrities are doing an about face on their old - er, former - faces, with mixed results. What do you think? Talk to us and get in touch at liz@embarkthepodcast.com. Thanks for listening.

You have two ears and one mouth, so you probably listen twice as much as you talk. Nah, not even close. Most of us, in fact, don't know how to listen. We've never really been taught. Can we learn  how to listen? Glad you asked. We have a listening expert, a PhD in Listening. Okay, she's a PhD in Communications.  Dr. Laura Janusik wasn't always a great listener. She thought she was smarter than whoever was talking, and uncomfortable with lulls in the conversation was a 'filler-inner." Like most of us. She got over it, though and so can we. Our conversation covers text and subtext, what respectful listening is and why you don't need to agree to just listen and understand. Laura Janusik one of the world’s leading experts in teaching and training listening is  a dynamic trainer, researcher, speaker, coach, and consultant,  She uses her MBA and PhD in Communication to help coaches listen well, hear more, and change lives. Her approach to communication, both oral and written, is practical and other-centered.  Past president of the International Listening Association, Laura is published both nationally and internationally. Her research and ideas are cited in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and US News and World Report. Read more here.  

How's your year going? Jack has dubbed the month of January 'the Monday of the year', and it's feeling that way with the crazy shenanigans going on in the House of Representatives, secret documents unearthed in garages and tell-all bios by whiny Royals. Although we not-so-secretly crave a crown of our own. (I'm polishing mine now.) Jack and I do find  silver linings, and cock-eyed optimists that we are, share admiration for Buffalo Bills' Damar Hamlin and gratitude for his remarkable recovery from cardiac arrest his suffered two weeks ago. It's always a win when we all come together to rally behind someone.  We also talk about the power of awe, the wonder we find in nature, people we admire, the miracle of birth. Those things that put our lives and perspective. A reminder we are not the center of the earth but part of something greater than ourselves. All the same, we think y'all are pretty great.  Send in your comments, ideas and feedback at  liz@embarkthepodcast.com. Thanks for listening.

Now that most of us are remote, there's a whole lot of writing going on. Emails, social posts, newsletters, web content.  Writing, or at least good writing, is something many of us find difficult.  Erin Lebacqz is here and guides us  to show up as our best selves, on paper(or screen),  at least. We talk about why conciseness and clarity matter, and how how you can convey a respectful, empathetic message to people, regardless of their beliefs, background, educational level and experiences.  Why verbs can be a communicators best friend, and how to use them to best effect. Hear about writing intelligence, which is much like emotional intelligence, but with, you know, written words.  In other words, Erin shares how we can come across and a caring expert who responds to the reader's needs. About Erin: Author and international educator Erin Lebacqz helps you write with clarity, confidence, and emotional intelligence. Erin’s curriculum and book, High-Value Writing, capture Erin’s 25 years of experience working with business and academic writers around the world.  Erin’s interactive sessions engage learners in purposeful discussions that respect their desire for intellectual growth while also providing practical strategies learners can immediately apply in the workplace.  You can learn more about Erin’s instructional style through her videos on her YouTube channel: High-Value Writing. Connect with Erin on LinkedIn

The lights! The decorations! The presents! The throw down at the dinner table. Ah, the holidays. They can be joyous occasions to spend with family. Or, they can be emotional landmines, filled with resentment, competition and angry exchanges over a difference of opinion. Before you walk out in a huff -- before dessert hits the table, no less - let's take five, or ten to compose ourselves. Jack and I discuss some of the pitfalls of family get togethers, and hopefully share some ways to prepare yourself to face your nearest and dearest.  You might surprise yourself with your self-control, diplomacy and actual love you have for those weirdos you call family.  Let's make nice and make merry. If all else fails, Jack is here for you to provide emotional support and holiday wisdom. Happy Holidays!

Our phones are ubiquitous. I mean, we don't leave home without them. So, let's use them for more real time conversations? My guest, Mary Jane Copps has some answers and also some compelling reasons to reach out and touch someone: Just call them on the phone. Mary Jane, also known as MJ or to her many followers, The Phone Lady has shown hundreds of professionals how to use the phone to ramp up their business. Recently a cohort of her clients experienced mind-boggling close rates of 30 percent.  In this episode, MJ provides compassionate insight on why our conversation (or lack thereof) has become so uncivil. She also  shares how we can listen, even when we really don't understand another person. That giving attention is not only a way to show respect, but show love. Read one of her recent articles HERE. No matter what platform or mode she chooses to communicate: email, phone, in person or text, MJ  delivers a message that is memorable, effective and moves people to action.  

Did your personality change as a result of the Covid pandemic?  According to an October article in the New York Times, possibly.  Whether the changes are long-term or permanent remain to be seen, but there's no denying the events of the last almost three years has affected our behaviors. Jack and I talk about what some of those long term changes mean, the high cost of college tuition and what one university is doing about it, the long road to adulthood and why nominees for the  2024 presidential campaign are not set in stone.

Tis the season to be thankful, and Jack Monson and I get there, eventually. In the meantime, we talk about passive-aggressive greetings and faux concern, a new season of Yellowstone,  and a yearning for more humor in advertising and culture. What are we grateful for? Well, Thanksgiving, for one, Mel Brooks,  Nick Kroll and really good pizza. In fact, Jack suggests we add a brand new holiday following this week's feast in  honor of  our favorite doughy treat.

Orrin helps frustrated and overwhelmed entrepreneurs understand how they create their beliefs and emotions, so that they can change them in order to fuel high performance behaviour and massively increase their results His expertise lies in the fields of Personal Development, Faith and Work, Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) and Emotional Intelligence. We talk about how the stories we grow up with about ourselves influence our self-perception and sense of agency, what leadership looks like, and how to lead ourselves to influence others. YouTube Orrin Lieuwen LinkedIn Orrin Lieuwen Facebook Lionheart Leadership Instagram @lionheartleadership TikTok @lionheartleadership

Social Joey Radio's Jack Monson and I once again talk about our differences on the political front, but form a united front on our shared disdain of Reality TV.  Our conversation soon leads to a political discussion and how the media magnifies the bad behavior of politicians. As usual, we have different takes on the attack of Paul Pelosi, our preferred midterm elections outcomes and our take on current circumstances as we see it. We agree way too much is spent on getting people elected, and not enough on the people those would-be leaders are supposed to represent.  Know someone you disagree with? Start a conversation, get curious and listen. We're with you. Let's embark on what unites us.