Gratitude Through Hard Times

Jason Guss - A New Style Of Learning by Chris Schembra

Tom Pachys, COO and Co-Founder of the popular content creator, Playbuzz, is not what you would call a self-made man.Ask him that 20 years ago and he might have said otherwise.In this episode, Tom gives credit and thanks to his Mother for shaping him in to the man he has become.We talk about the past, present, and future; and the wisdom that nobody truly has done it all themselves. We break down traditions and rituals as they have passed down from Israel through to the way Tom raises his children and runs his current company.Less than 6 years old, and already $60 Million in funding, Tom's company is already the most shared content publisher on Facebook, responsible for millions of shares per month. Please enjoy learning how this extremely successful founder dives deep in gratitude and thanks to his Mother.

A Northwest native, John came to appreciate the Pacific Northwest’s maritime environment, history and natural resources at an early age. At GeoEngineers, he has three interconnected roles. First, he is a technical expert in shoreline and waterfront cleanup and redevelopment. Second, as a Principal, he leads environmental teams and has a leadership role in the broader company. And finally, he manages staff and sets business development strategy for the Puget Sound Business Unit as the business unit leader for the region.Asked what attracted him to his environmental specialty, he said, “We played on the beach all the time as kids. Being buried up to my neck in sand regularly probably had something to do with it!”John thrives on large, complex waterfront projects that require creative thinking, strategic solutions, energy and top-notch teams. He says that nothing is linear, so every day brings a new challenge. And what sets GeoEngineers apart from the pack? “Our company recognizes the importance of excellence in client service and quality in the technical products we produce. We are not afraid to try something new and innovative to provide our clients with solutions.”John says that technical challenges and business strategy are integral to his life, but when he does allow himself a break, he hangs out with family and friends or races bikes.

As Co-Founder and CEO of Convene, Ryan Simonetti has been recognized for his transformative achievements on Real Estate Forum’s 50 Under 40 list and Inc. Magazine’s “30 Under 30,” a list of America’s Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs. He was also named “Top Entrepreneur” by Crain’s New York, and was a finalist in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year® New York Awards. With Ryan at the helm, Convene has been named one of America’s 100 Most Promising Companies by Forbes and a Best Workplace by both Inc. and Fortune Magazine. Before co-founding Convene, Ryan was a vice president at Gramercy Capital Corp., where he was in charge of the restructuring of a billion-dollar loan portfolio, including $600 million of real estate and hospitality investments.

With nearly a decade of New York City real estate experience, Nile has closed over $65 million in career sales. Since joining Compass, he's closed north of $28 million in transactions and recently became the exclusive broker for Williamsburg's hottest New Development - The Lewis Steel Building. Prior to Compass, Nile was the President of a boutique residential real estate firm where led the company of over 20 agents and closed 250+ deals. Nile's approach to real estate is tech-forward and efficient because he understands that his client's time is the most valuable commodity they have and he uses it wisely. Awarded REBNY's coveted Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE®) designation, Nile is well versed in representing and negotiating on behalf of buyers, sellers, and Developers alike. Considered an expert in the New York City market, he features as a weekly panelist on 'Good Morning New York' on Voice America. A familiar face around town, Nile is often featured on various media and press outlets while frequently being called to present on a host of real estate panels, most notably the Annual New York Real Estate Expo. Apart from real estate, Nile is passionate about adventure travel, photography, yoga, and meditation. He's a professional speaker and an innovative social influencer. Considered a super-connector, he serves as Co-curator of a community building platform, The 7:47 Club. He also is a board member for the charity, Save A Child's Heart. A college athlete, Nile earned his B.A. from Trinity College as a double major in English and Hispanic Studies. While at Trinity he studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain and is a fluent Spanish speaker. Nile is currently studying for his Masters in Real Estate Finance at NYU's Schack Real Estate Institute.

Debi Lynes, mother of three and grandmother to eight, began her career as a teacher of children with special needs. Through serendipity, her physician father offered her the opportunity to “institutionalize” the cardiac rehab unit of the hospital where he worked. Debi’s love of interior design was born and she decided to make to official by taking some classes and moonlighting with a friend to create unique children’s rooms.Lynes found fulfillment with her interior decorating for many years. Without even knowing it or having a name for it, she began involving elements of psychology, health, and wellness into her interiors ensuring that her clients had a feeling of happiness and well-being in their homes or offices. Debi Lynes serves as hosts to local television programs on Hilton Head Island including Lynes on Design, an interior design show, and Healthy Living, where Lynes interviews doctors and looks at the environments where healing occurs.At the age of 50, Lynes decided to further her education and received her Masters in Health and Human Services, and in 2011 completed her PhD in Counseling Services. It was during her dissertation phase, that Lynes began to put together all of her life and career experiences together in the form of Facilitative and Supportive Design. Freudian Slipcovers incorporates three facets of healthy living: CBT-I, Private Practice, and Facilitative and Supportive Interior Design,

Zoe Plotsky - The New Friday - Episode 25 by Chris Schembra

Tricia Brouk’s passion for storytelling has shaped her worked in film, television, and theater for over twenty-five years.Her work has been featured on Black Box for ABC, The Affair for Showtime, and Rescue Me on FOX, as well as in Lasse Hallstrom’s The Hoax with Richard Gere. She received a Golden Thumb award from Roger Ebert for her choreography on John Turturro’s feature film Romance and Cigarettes, where she worked closely with James Gandolfini, Kate Winslet, Susan Sarandon, Eddie Izzard, Christopher Walken, Steve Buscemi, and Bobby Canavale.She’s directed award-winning shows like the web-series Sublets, which won Best Comedy at the Vancouver Web-Fest, and the short documentary This Dinner is Full, which earned Official Selection at The New York Women in Film and Television Short Festival and The New York Independent Film Festival.Tricia is committed to producing and directing stories that entertain, uplift, and foster an exchange of ideas. As the Executive Producer of TEDxLincolnSquare, she curates the top speakers in the country, and her production company, The Big Talk Productions, shoots documentary shorts on the thought leaders making an impact on our world.

Swish (Manu) Goswami is a 21-year-old serial entrepreneur, three-time TEDx speaker (signed with Speakers’ Spotlight and The AAT Project), LinkedIn Youth Editor (70K+ followers), and UN Youth Ambassador. After successfully building Technotronics and working at JB Fitzgerald Venture Capital (started by NBA player Trevor Booker), Swish is now the founder and CEO of Trufan, a tech-driven media company building technology to help influencers, brands and agencies discover and reward their top fans.Swish has previously acted as a consultant for Fortune 500 companies like Google, Western Union, and American Express. He also sits on various boards including at Dunk (media network of 10M followers hyper-focused on basketball) and the League of Innovators (Canadian charity started by Ryan Holmes, CEO of Hootsuite).Swish has been published in over one hundred national and international publications and has notably been inducted into Plan Canada’s Top 20 under 20, recognized as Startup Canada’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year and won the United Nation’s Outstanding Youth Leadership award.

Corey has been storytelling for two decades since he graduated from Millikin University with a BFA in theatre in 1996. His epiphany moment in storytelling came after he played the lead in a show at Millikin called “Jeffrey.” Three months after the show closed, Corey was called by a theatre 90 minutes away who was putting on the same show, but whose lead had fallen ill. Corey was asked to drive down immediately, block out the play that afternoon with their actors, and put on the show that evening. With the help of his previous director, Corey performed the leading role, on stage for the entire two-hour show, in front of 300 people that night. He was never afraid of taking the big swing again.Working in Los Angeles for a decade, Corey was the face and voice behind a dozen Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 brands as a commercial and voiceover actor (his work won Belding, Addy, Cannes, and London International Advertising awards), before working as a film producer and director, as an author and award-winning publisher, and now as the founder and president of Round Table Companies.Check out Corey’s TEDx talk, Vulnerability is Sexy and keep an eye out for Corey's HERMES and ADDY award winning short documentary by the same name.Corey is the co-author of numerous books, including Edge! A Leadership Story (Finalist 2008 National Best Books Awards) and From the Barrio to the Board Room (Finalist, 2012 International Book Award) and its companion comic book Mi Barrio (Winner, 2011 Independent Publisher Book Awards; Winner Best Graphic Novel, 2012 International Latino Book Awards), which are being used around the country in schools and youth prisons to inspire at-risk youth. Corey's projects have been profiled or showcased in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Inc., Barrons, Wired, USA Today, and on NPR and Bloomberg TV.Corey is a member of the The Young Entrepreneur’s Council, the Stagen Integral Leadership Academy (Black Belt award recipient for Leadership), and is a sponsor of Conscious Capitalism and Social Venture Network. Corey is also a recent participant in the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland’s 18-month GTP program and now works with the Institute on programming for leaders. He is a frequent speaker and facilitator; his passion is using storytelling to create epiphany experiences and identity shift in people and organizations. Check out where Corey will be this year.

When Michael went from high school teacher to Broadway producer in under two years people started to ask him how he managed it. Michael began his career as a high school English teacher before producing Off Broadway and then on Broadway. This combination of experience in the arts and entrepreneurship led to Michael starting an arts incubator program to teach more artists about building and growing their own businesses (PLAE). Eventually, he decided to develop a workshop on networking which grew into a full time consulting practice and that became Small Pond Enterprises.Michael took a short break to work as the V.P. of Operations and as a Director of Business Development for an NYC Ed. Tech Startup which introduced him to the New York Startup community. Most recently, Michael founded The Connecting Connectors Conference (ConnectorCon).

Dorie Clark is a marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review. Recognized as a “branding expert” by the Associated Press, Fortune, and Inc. magazine, she is the author of Entrepreneurial You (Harvard Business Review Press,), Reinventing You, and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of 2015 by Inc. magazine and one of the Top 10 Business Books of the Year by Forbes. It was also a Washington Post bestseller. Her books have been translated into Russian, Chinese, Arabic, French, Polish, Korean, and Thai.Clark, whom the New York Times described as an “expert at self-reinvention and helping others make changes in their lives,” consults and speaks for a diverse range of clients, including Google, the World Bank, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, the Ford Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Yale University.A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Clark is an adjunct professor of business administration at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Visiting Professor for IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. She has guest lectured at universities including Harvard Business School, the Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, the University of California-Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Georgetown, NYU, the MIT Sloan School of Management, and the University of Michigan.Her work has been published in the Harvard Business Review Guide to Getting the Right Job and the Harvard Business Review Guide to Networking, and she is quoted frequently in the worldwide media, including NPR, the BBC, and MSNBC. She is also a regular commentator on Canada’s CTV and was named one of Inc. magazine’s “100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference.”A former New England Press Association award-winning journalist, Clark directed the environmental documentary film The Work of 1000, and was a producer for a multiple-Grammy-winning jazz album. At age 14, Clark entered Mary Baldwin College’s Program for the Exceptionally Gifted. At 18, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, and two years later received a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School. You can download her Entrepreneurial You self-assessment at dorieclark.com/entrepreneur.

Jonathan Gass - Episode 19 by Chris Schembra

Fariza Abidova is a serial entrepreneur, passionate about promoting global business collaboration to advance technological innovation. In 2010 she established SOPHYS Corporation, a global human resource development company. Fariza currently provides global business solutions and seminars to the top 3 companies in Japan’s manufacturing, automotive, engineering, healthcare, IT and financial industries.In 2016, Fariza launched her second start-up, Trusted Corporation, an online B2B community and search engine, that helps companies access business opportunities worldwide through cross-border and cross-industry collaboration.Trusted Corporation has recently established a partnership agreement with one of Japan’s largest, world-leading banks. Through this partnership, Trusted Corporation is helping Japanese technology companies in the robotics, medical technology, automotive, and renewable energy industries establish R&D and joint venture partnerships with US and European companies. All members of Trusted Corporation have access to opportunities to create innovative solutions, attract investment, M&A, and partnership agreements with large Japanese companies or start-up companies worldwide through the Trusted platform.On the side, Fariza holds seminars to renowned American business schools, Japanese universities and Japanese branches of American, German, Swiss and British Chambers of Commerce and Industry. She also writes media articles and columns in Japanese newspapers. She also started LEGACY50+, a not-for-profit project (under Trusted) that shares the stories of Japanese Founders and CEOs to help inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs. From her work and contribution to other businesses, Fariza was nominated for the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2017.Fariza currently provides business solutions and global business skills seminars to the top 3 companies in Japan's manufacturing, automotive, engineering, healthcare, IT and financial industries.With her deep knowledge of the Japanese language, economy, business culture, and international markets, Fariza is now developing practical solutions with IT technology for successful cross-border businesses.On the side, Fariza holds seminars regarding successful business development in Japan, to renowned American business schools, Japanese universities, and Japanese branches of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and British Chamber of Commerce. She has also started writing media articles and columns in Japanese newspapers.In her spare time, Fariza helps mentor young entrepreneurs develop business ideas.From her work and contribution to other businesses, Fariza was nominated for the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan's Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2017.Fariza's newest venture referenced on the podcast: https://www.trusted-inc.com/

Chris Winfield – Editor at large at Arianna Huffington’s Thrive Global, columnist for TIME, Business Insider and INC. and a show host for Entrepreneur – knows this: looking out for yourself will only get you so far. But building relationships will get you further…His writings have also appeared in Business Insider, TIME, Buffer and other top-tier publications. Chris has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, NBC’s Today Show, USA Today, ABC News, Fast Company, Fox Extra, Forbes and over 200 other media outlets. Chris has shown clients – including people from companies like Disney, Bai Brands, Virgin, Intuit, Cali’Flour Foods and countless high profile entrepreneurs & authors – how to leverage their connections with the media and influencers for credibiility, authority & profit.Spot Chris in the wild, doing intros at his NYC networking event, Unfair Advantage Live, and taking confessions from lonely hedge-fund managers while standing in line for groceries (he’s just that kind of guy).

Erica Keswin is a workplace strategist who has worked for the past twenty years with some of the most iconic brands in the world as a consultant, speaker, writer and professional dotconnector. Her forthcoming book, Bring Your Human to Work: Ten Sure-Fire Ways to Design a Workplace That is Good for People, Great for Business and Just Might Change the World, will be published by McGraw-Hill in the fall of 2018. Check here for book tour dates. In the meantime, Erica’s work and insights can be seen in varied media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Huffington Post, O Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Mogul, and Conscious Company. Keswin is the founder of The Spaghetti Project, a platform devoted to sharing the science and stories of relationships at work.

Steven Miller is a marketer, art consumer, and partnership director, but above all, he is a believer in the power of making the right connections. Over the last decade, he has created partnerships and opportunities that have launched new brands, designed award-winning licensed products, and created million in revenue by seeing connections that others miss. From being a case manager for adult schizophrenics to leading North American and UK partnerships for today's #1 networking app, Shapr, Steven's passion for finding a common thread has changed his approach on everything from business to personal growth. It is not about what is in it for you, it is about what is the best for everyone, and he is striving to find that in every interaction and problem he encounters.

“Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway." - Mother TeresaDo you reveal and present your true self to the world? How can increased personal vulnerability result in greater professional successes? When considering gender roles, do you occasionally idealize a bygone era?Join host Chris Schembra in this week's episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Conversations, as he welcomes performer and entertainment producer, activist, community leader, and former Disney Mouseketeer, Ray DeForest, who may also be known to some as his popular theatrical character, Doris Dear. Winner of the 2016 MAC Award, actress and comedienne Dear has been featured in numerous movie and TV productions, and has starred in her own sold out cabaret-style shows.In addition to entertaining audiences and raising funds to support theatre development, Mr. DeForest is an Executive Board Member of the Pipeline Theatre Company and Member of the prestigious Dramatist Guild of America. It is through his lifelong love of theatre that Mr. DeForest nurtured his storytelling and comedic talents, as well as his ability to connect with an audience and take them on an emotional journey. "Art requires reaction," he proclaims.Long before theatre life beckoned Mr. DeForest to Manhattan, he found himself growing up in 1950-1960s Staten Island, where idyllic "Americana" was a real-world version of Norman Rockwell's iconic paintings. But what is one to do when they don't fit the traditional mold? "Admitting who we are is never easy," states Mr. DeForest. But, this challenge of self-expression found a creative outlet through character development and performance, and continues to be richly rewarded by audiences who react to the experience and find a safe space in his character's maternal presence. Bravo!In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community has formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Learning, listening, and growing through shared experiences ~ Welcome to the 747 Club community.

Afdel Aziz - Good is the new cool by Chris Schembra

Darrah Brustein is an author and two-time founder with a payment processing company spanning 38 states and a networking events company which serves 30,000+ people. She contributes to Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Thrive Global on networking, entrepreneurship and creating a life of your own design, and has been featured in over 300 press outlets including Time, CNN, Inc, Huffington Post, Fox, and Mashable (all built on the back of her network). She's on a mission to help others who are disenchanted with "sleep when you're dead" culture and chasing others people's definitions of success to build a life of their own design.

Kati Venturato has been on a lifelong introspective journey of self-discovery - to truly “know thyself” - that at times has been with purposeful intent and at other times has been quite accidental. Through varied life experiences in parallel pursuits, whether via her non-linear career in technology, or via her personal accomplishments in the fighting, dancing, theater and story-telling arts, Kati has challenged herself to not only self-discover and assimilate, but to play with various mediums for truthful self-expression. She will admit, however, that this journey has not been easy for her. “Finding the Creative Within” is yet another self-imposed challenge - her first attempt to articulate herself in raw fashion to a broader audience. But despite the discomforting exposure, she is extremely humbled and grateful for the willing company, and she hopes that this discussion will be not only a new discovery for her, but for you too.

Eric Termuende is on a mission to change the way we talk about work and get fulfillment from it. A bestselling author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Eric is co-founder of NoW Innovations, and Lead Content Strategist for True Calling Canada., Eric has been featured in Forbes, Inc., Thrive Global, the Huffington Post and many others. In 2015, Eric was recognized as a Top 100 Emerging Innovators under 35 globally by American Express. Eric sat as Community Integration Chair for Global Shapers Calgary, a community that functions under the World Economic Forum. He is a former Canadian G20 YEA Delegate, representing Canada in Sydney in 2014. Eric is currently signed by the National Speakers Bureau and travels the world talking about the future of work and multiple generations in the workplace. In 2016, Eric spoke at TEDxBCIT in Vancouver giving his presentation entitled ‘Bigger than Work.’ Eric has worked and spoken with clients across the world. His new book, Rethink Work is now available on Amazon.

Jenny Blake is an author, career and business strategist and international speaker who helps people move beyond burnout to build sustainable, dynamic careers they love. She is the author of PIVOT: The Only Move That Matters is Your Next One (Portfolio/Penguin Random House, September 2016), and Life After College (Running Press, 2011).Born and raised in Silicon Valley, after two years at a technology start-up followed by five years at Google in Training and Career Development in Silicon Valley, Jenny moved to New York City in 2011 where she has been running her own consulting business in the years since. Jenny combines her love of technology with her superpower of simplifying complexity to help clients pivot their career or business. One of her personal mottos: if change is the only constant, let's get better at it. In 2017, Pivot won an award for Axiom Best Business Book in the careers category. JP Morgan selected Pivot for their client #NextList2017, Business Insider named it among the 20 best business books of 2016 and 7 books that will change the way you work in 2017. Jenny has been featured as a career change expert on CNBC, in The New York Times and The Sunday Times UK. Her Pivot Podcast is a top rated show that CNBC listed among 6 podcasts to make you smarter about your career, and selected by Entrepreneur as one of the top 20 female-hosted business podcasts. Today you can find her at PivotMethod.com, where she explores systems at the intersection of mind, body and business. Jenny is a yoga fanatic and avid book worm. Dogs, dancing, gadgets, writing, traveling, and long meals with friends all make her pretty happy too. Jenny is based in New York City, where she imagines she’s starring in a movie whenever she walks through its crowded streets. Subscribe to the Pivot Podcast, check out her private Momentum community for solopreneurs and side-hustlers, and follow her on Twitter @jenny_blake.

You don’t have to be born creative to become a creative genius and you don’t have to rely on an Aha moment to be creative. Rather, A scientific creative curve can be used to balance between making something that’s familiar, and making something that is novel. Learn how to use the creative curve to balance between something being too innovative, and ahead of it’s time; and over used and thought of as cliche.In there era where the internet has completely reshuffled the access that creatives have to get good distribution and have their work be valued, creatives not only have to have talent, but also be good salespeople to get their work seen.Big creative institutions have to disrupt themselves to stay relevant.Join us as we interview ALLEN GANNETT, Founder and CEO of TrackMaven, a marketing analytics platform whose clients have included Microsoft, Marriott, Saks Fifth Avenue, Home Depot, Aetna, Honda, and GE. He has been on the “30 Under 30” lists for both Inc. and Forbes. He is a contributor for FastCompany.com and has an upcoming book The Creative Curve, on how anyone can achieve moments of creative genius, coming out in June 2018 from Currency, a division of Penguin Random House. He was also once a very pitiful runner-up on Wheel of Fortune.Order his book at TheCreativeCurve.com

“Real relationships take real time, and you cannot cheat real time." - Holly Peppe, Managing Director of Peppe Communications, Inc.How is networking different from connecting? What insights are attained from dissecting a failure? Why is responding with a thoughtful "No" to an invitation or request at times not only acceptable, but recommended?Join host Chris Schembra in this week's episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Conversations, as he welcomes Scott Gerber, co-author of the recently released book, 'Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Relationships That Matter' (published by Da Capo Lifelong Books, 2018), a follow-up to his previous title, 'Never Get a "Real" Job: How to Dump Your Boss, Build a Business and Not Go Broke' (published by Wiley, 2010.) In addition to being a successful author, Mr. Gerber is the Founder of YEC, an organization for young entrepreneurs, as well as the CEO and Co-Founder of global branding firm The Community Company, and an internationally syndicated columnist, who recently became a monthly contributor for Adweek. As this episode's conversation unfolds, Mr. Gerber shares how his mission to create community and assist others evolved after he experienced and parsed a business failure. Quoting MastermindTalks.com founder Jayson Gaignard, "When all else fails, you are left with two things... your word and your relationships." By evaluating the people you selectively surround yourself with, and wisely allocating the resources of these individuals, Mr. Gerber believes that your footing for business success is on much firmer ground.Along with business partner Ryan Paugh, with whom 'Superconnector' was co-written, Mr. Gerber promotes the concept that every brand benefits from building and championing a community of advocates. These highly engaged "Brand Ambassadors" create awareness and amplify messaging, which drives greater consumer loyalty within their communities. Leveraging this level of engagement requires a shift away from the conventional marketing mindset and its focus on vanity metrics, especially in this Social Media-driven age. According to Gerber, "It's not the way you act; it's the way you are. It's not the way you see something; it's the way you see." Valuable advice for how we approach our personal relationships, as well.In 2015, the 7:47 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community has formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Listening to others and learning about ourselves... The 7:47 Club welcomes you.

“For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." - Proverbs 23:7, King James VersionWhat is your natural response when encountering negative thoughts? Do you exercise self-discipline and accountability in your aspirations for success? How can you incorporate personal affirmations into your daily routine?Join host Chris Schembra in this week's episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Conversations, as he welcomes performer, writer of song and script, and creative collaborator, Bryan Terrell Clark, who debuted on Broadway as the iconic Marvin Gaye in 'MOTOWN: The Musical,' and is currently starring as our nation's Founding Father, George Washington in the musical sensation 'Hamilton: An American Musical.' Through their conversation, follow the story of an imaginative and active child from Baltimore who came to realize his potential, but not just on the Great White Way. With a passion for the positive, Mr. Clark shares his approach to manifesting personal success, and explains how this momentum has carried forward into rewarding professional achievements, as well. In his case, these accomplishments span both creative and business ventures. "When you walk in gratitude, the universe gives you more to be thankful for," he asserts. Surely on the right path, Mr. Clark's enthusiasm and commitment to community and collaboration has found an outlet through a fashion line initiative called inDEFINED. Along with his business partner, Robert Raeder, inDEFINED is creating a lasting difference in the world by enacting change through fundraising and activism. To learn more about the company's mission and to support the cause, please visit www.in-defined.com.Firmly believing that results in your life are directly related to how you think, Mr. Clark's inspiring mindset and gracious attitude will leave you feeling uplifted and believing in the possible.In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community is formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Spreading positivity, one listen at a time... Welcome to the conversation.

“While givers and takers may have equally large networks, givers are able to produce far more lasting value through their networks, and in ways that might not seem obvious." - Adam Grant, author of 'Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success'What is something you have done for someone lately with no expectation of anything in return? Do you tend to have a predictable reaction to a problematic situation, or do you tend to respond more pragmatically? How do you define vulnerability, and how is it different from authenticity? Join host Chris Schembra in this week's episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Conversations, as he welcomes entrepreneurial philanthropist, cookie connoisseur, and Editor in Chief of SJO.com, Sol Orwell, whose natural curiosity about and genuine interest in humanity has provided him with many unique and memorable experiences through the interesting people he has met. Mr. Orwell asks thoughtfully, while reflecting on the opportunities that have presented themselves to him in unexpected ways, "Would I read my own memoirs? Am I writing an interesting chapter in my life?"A self-proclaimed "digital nomad," who seeks to do good in the world through knowledge sharing and charitable initiatives, such as his annual Cookie Challenge, Mr. Orwell expresses his views on what makes for an interesting conversation, why he prefers pragmatism over idealism, and his deep appreciation for the value of expertise.Learn about his influences, including Clay Hebert, an inspiring speaker and New York Times bestselling author who has developed a simple framework around 'The Perfect Intro[duction],' and Adam Grant, of the 'Give and Take' principle. Whether you are confidently following a path towards personal fulfillment, or seeking guidance on the subject, this conversation is certain to enlighten and entertain.In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community is formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Sharing and growing our community with every listen... the 7:47 Club welcomes you.

“When you change what you believe is possible, you change what becomes possible." - Alex Banayan.When presented with the need to make a decision, do you often tend to choose the safest path? What is the difference between desperation and obsession when pursuing an objective? Have you articulated your dreams, goals, mission in life... and if so, thoughtfully considered your plan towards fulfilling them? Join host Chris Schembra in this week's episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Conversations, as he welcomes Alex Banayan, a venture associate named to Forbes' annual '30 Under 30' list. The day before his freshman year final exams, Alex hacked "The Price Is Right", won a sailboat, sold it, and used the prize money to fund his quest to learn from the world’s most successful people. In their conversation, Mr. Banayan explains the genesis of his dream to write the self-help book that he sought to read.Alex embarked on a seven-year journey to interview industry leaders of business and finance, media, the arts and sciences, and collect their acquired wisdom, mantras, and personal stories about finding professional passion. In sharing this knowledge, Alex hopes to help others define their journey and identify their purpose. "The book is the vessel to share this collected knowledge," he explains.Cherishing mistakes, taking a break when needed, tapping the hidden reservoir in all of us, doing it "your way," and journaling to uncover "why you're doing what you're doing" are all valuable lessons shared within its pages, and expressed in enthusiastic detail throughout this heartfelt conversation. It becomes clear why the writing of this book turned into a true passion project, and how there is always another way of thinking about a challenge or decision... There is always a "third door."In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community is formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.If this is your first listen, welcome... and if you've become an ardent listener of this podcast, welcome back. We're glad to have you in the 7:47 Club family.

“You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.” - Steve JobsHow do you handle the need to pivot when your plans, whether big or small, don't quite play out as expected? Do you consider yourself an advocate for something or someone... and if so, is that someone yourself? Have you reflected on which personality traits you inherited from each of your parents, and the impact they have made on your life decisions and direction?Join host Chris Schembra in this week's episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Club Conversations, as he welcomes Kelle Jacob, former America's Top Model contestant, art world entrepreneur, and current beauty industry leader. Speaking about navigating inevitable deviations from the future she had envisioned, and encountering unexpected revelations about herself and her passions, Miss Jacob explains how her path of seemingly disassociated points has led her a present feeling of both personal growth and professional satisfaction."It's important to find the joy in small things... and identify the things that ground you," Miss Jacob suggests. Relying on the wise words of her Grandmother 'Mom-Mom,' a young Kelle was often reminded that life is not perfect, and that there will be disappointments and tough times to work through. The good times, however, are the balance to these challenges. "Take the bitter with the sweet," is wisdom that we can all benefit from, according to Mom-Mom.You too are invited to join this exercise in personal reflection, and consider what influences and advice have guided your decision-making process in life. If feeling out of balance or off track, a number of recommended resources are available to you, as mentioned in this discussion.In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community is formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.We welcome you to our conversation.

“Driving compassion and empathy, isn't that just a better way to live life?” - Ahmen of the Troublemaker Movement, from 'Good is the New Cool' by Afdhel AzizWhat do professional football, environmental sustainability, and comic superheroes have in common? If contemplating your own personal "second act," what factors should you consider to best manage expectations, both internal and external? How can you stand out by standing up?Join host Chris Schembra in this episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Club Conversations, as he welcomes former All-Pro NFL Fullback Ovie Mughelli in a conversation about the unexpected tangents that life's journey often presents. Listen as Mr. Mughelli shares his story of hope to and fulfillment of playing in the NFL, and what came after when the time came to reinvent himself. Find out what motivates him to do good with the platform he's been given, and which issues are the nearest to his heart in the desire to pass our planet to the next generation as a better place than he found it.Whether we are marketing ourselves, a product or service, goodness and integrity are becoming far more integral to our direct engagements, as consumers and partners reflect on how they feel when interacting with an individual or company. Mr. Mughelli so thoughtfully expresses his views regarding how having a lasting positive impact within our communities speaks to who we are, and how we were raised. You too are invited to join this purpose-driven movement, as discussed weekly through these personal discussions of life experiences.In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community is formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Welcome, and enjoy the journey.

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” - AristotleDo our emotions factor into every decision we make? Is emotional trauma passed down through our genes? How does spirituality impact our understanding and acceptance of scientific findings?Join host Chris Schembra in this episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Conversations, as he welcomes Spencer Gerrol, Founder and CEO of SPARK Neuro, in a conversation to explore the neuroscience behind empathy and emotions. On his own self-defined 5 Step Journey, Mr. Gerrol shares the origin story of his business venture, how being a first-generation American has led to a feeling of personal responsibility, and how he takes “pride in the struggle.”In the practical philosophy teachings of The School of Life, Roman Krznaric states that we must seek to understand our fears, as well as those of others, in our quest to find fulfilling work. Fundamentally, the development and expansion of Emotional Intelligence is the key to success in our business and personal relationships. How then does empathy differ from the Theory of Mind? And is it possible to actually capture data related to our emotions?SPARK Neuro seeks to quantify these intangibles, with tools and algorithms that measure brain activity and physical responses to stimuli. Listen as Mr. Schembra and his guest explore the meaning of 17th century's French philosopher Rene Decartes’s proposition, “I think, therefore I am.” (Latin: Cogito ergo sum) From intuition to deliberate thought, how and what we think defines who we truly are.In 2015, the 7:47 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community is formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Welcome back, settle in and enjoy.

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” - Leo TolstoyWho in your life do you give credit or thanks to for empowering your most human qualities? Is there a collective awakening of maternal energy in our society today? Does ego get in the way of developing universal wisdom?Join host Chris Schembra in the premiere episode of his podcast series, 7:47 Club, as he welcomes his first guest Justin Birenbaum, Associate of Global Partnerships at TED Conferences, in a thought-provoking, wide-ranging discussion about curating a purpose-driven life. Specifically, listen as they discuss drivers and deterrents that may be influencing what you’re doing, and why you’re doing it… at work, at home, and in your relationships.Humans are inherently wired to be cooperative and empathic, yet we often find ourselves challenged on a daily basis to identify these traits in ourselves and others. Mr. Birenbaum speaks to becoming more introspective and connecting with our own maternal energy, which nurtures these qualities. “The answers lie within us,” he says.There is an emerging way of being that is improving our overall human condition. It may be a rebalancing of the scales, perhaps a backlash against what could be perceived as an indifferent, win-at-all-costs, overly patriarchal society. There is evidence that personal sacrifice for the well-being of others, and a sense of community are on the rise. Listen to learn what may be behind this phenomenon, and how you can contribute to its momentum.In 2015, the 747 Club was founded by Mr. Schembra to create a conversational environment promoting Authenticity ~ Empathy ~ Vulnerability ~ Safety. In sparking dialogue between people from disparate backgrounds and experiences, with different interests and viewpoints, a sense of community formed within this shared experience, creating real understanding and an acceptance of others. Through this podcast, a wider audience will now learn about the 7:47 Club’s incredibly important mission.Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.

Welcome to the 7:47 Club podcast. My name is Chris Schembra, your host, and I'm broadcasting live from beautiful New York City. I'm so happy you're here with us today, and I'm really excited for the launch of this podcast. In this heart-centered podcast, we're going to set the table and create the safe space for people to get vulnerable. I hope you'll learn how some of the brightest minds and the most conscious leaders on the planet are actually human, just like you and me. I mean, we're going to dive into spirituality, sexuality, empathy, maternal energy, and so much more.My greatest passion is facilitating profound human connection in a deeply-disconnected world. After having my life saved by a simple pasta sauce recipe and later sparking over 300,000 relationships around our dinner table, I'm now turning my role as chief question asker into this podcasting platform.My role of chief question asker began in July of 2015. I'd just come back from Italy after producing a Broadway play over there, and upon my return back to New York City, realized that I was completely unfulfilled. I was lonely, insecure, disconnected, started fiddling with food in my kitchen and accidentally created a pasta sauce recipe. I figured I should probably feed it to people to see if it's even good or not and started hosting dinner parties.Every week, once a week, 15 of my friends would come over and eat some simple pasta sauce. At 6:30 p.m., we'd have arrivals and cocktails would begin. 8:00 p.m., dinner was served, but at 7:47 p.m., we'd delegate 11 specific tasks empowering the attendees to work together to create the meal, a shared group experience. We'd sit down to dinner, then we'd have dessert, then I'd tell a joke, and then we'd open up into communal discussion on a particular topic. Usually at that communal discussion piece, because we created the safe space and done the work of brokering the connections, people would open up, be vulnerable, and transform.Fast forward a little bit. We started doing our dinner parties all over the world: overseas, in rural communities, on Skid Row in Los Angeles, for charities, companies, different organizations, and I truly found my calling. One day, a friend of mine walked into my office and said, "If your 7:47 Club was a gender, what would it be?" I said, "It'd be a woman." He said, "If that woman walked through that door right there, how we would feel?" I said, "We would be overcome and consumed by the greatest maternal energy and empathy the world has ever seen." By listening to our community, did I finally uncover not only one of society's greatest deficits, but my very own, a lack of maternal energy and empathy.In my life, I now have access to those answers, and why we are creating this podcast is to give this insight and wisdom to you, one podcast interview at a time. In the last two and a half years of my life, I've become consumed with diving deep, connecting, and asking the best questions humanly possible.I hope you'll join us and pull up a seat and put your napkin on your lap and peer into the authentic conversations that our 747 Club has become known for. I hope you'll subscribe. I hope, if you find good value in this, you'll share it with your friends, and I hope you'll email in with any questions, thoughts, or suggestions of future people we should have on this platform. It's been one of the great honors of my life to create the safe spaces for people to gather around our dinner table, and now, this is the next great honor of my life. I thank you for tuning in. I hope you all are having a phenomenal day on earth. Remember, folks, it's your world. Go explore, and we'll see you next episode.