Story Samurai

Kim Mailes, a writer, humanitarian, and volunteer at the American Red Cross, shares his journey from the business world to becoming a communicator. She discusses the motivation behind his career change and the satisfaction she finds in helping others. Kim emphasizes the importance of storytelling in his work, highlighting the power of personal connections and empathy. She also talks about the challenges of working in the field of humanitarianism, including balancing empathy and professionalism. Kim shares his proudest moment, which involved producing a video that showcased the impact of the American Red Cross in a community affected by tornadoes. She offers advice for those starting out in the field, emphasizing the importance of becoming a humanitarian first and mastering the necessary skills. Kim also discusses the challenges of fundraising and combating misinformation in the media. She believes that storytelling will always be a vital tool in humanitarian work and encourages adaptability in reaching out to the younger generation. Kim reflects on how his work has affected his personal life, making his a better person and allowing his to form meaningful friendships with like-minded individuals. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Marcia Drake shares her experiences working with immigrants and refugees and the impact it had on her. She emphasizes the importance of listening deeply to people's stories and understanding their experiences. She discusses the different aspects of poverty, including physical, emotional, and spiritual, and the challenges in addressing them. Drake also highlights the power of data in creating positive change and bridging the gap between different sectors of society. She emphasizes the need for a cross-disciplinary approach and collaboration to tackle complex social issues. Listening deeply to people's stories is essential for understanding their experiences and finding solutions to social issues.Poverty has different aspects, including physical, emotional, and spiritual, and addressing them requires a comprehensive approach.Data has the power to create positive change and bridge the gap between different sectors of society.Collaboration and a cross-disciplinary approach are necessary to tackle complex social issues.Marcia Drake : https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcia-j-drake-a502494/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The Warrior Bonfire Program is a nonprofit organization that provides bonfire retreats for Purple Heart recipients, focusing on recreational therapy and building support communities. The retreats offer activities such as skiing, hunting, fishing, and kayaking. The organization also supports spouses and couples through separate retreats that address the challenges they face. The program relies on funding, and they host an annual gala called Diamonds and Dog Tags to raise funds. Volunteers play a crucial role in the organization, and there are various ways to get involved and support their mission.https://warriorbonfireprogram.org/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

John Gartin shares his coaching journey, starting from coaching high school students to building successful rowing programs at universities. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of novice athletes and meeting them where they are. Gartin also highlights the significance of small wins, embracing failure as a learning opportunity, and providing challenges to foster growth. He discusses the importance of effective communication and adapting communication styles to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. The conversation explores the importance of engagement and communication in teaching and leadership. It emphasizes the value of getting students or team members to talk to each other and teach each other, as it reinforces their learning and helps them process information. The conversation also highlights the significance of reflection and self-analysis, both in physical training and in the workplace. It suggests that leaders should create an environment where individuals feel comfortable discussing their feelings and experiences, as this can lead to growth and improvement. Additionally, the conversation emphasizes the importance of admitting mistakes and learning from them, as well as providing support and empathy to team members during their lowest moments.John Gartin: www.linkedin.com/in/john-g-gartin Website: https://www.johngartin.com/ BioJohn Gartin is the Director of Career Development at Northern Arizona University (NAU), where he leads a team dedicated to supporting undergraduate and graduate students in their career readiness. With over three decades of experience, Gartin has established himself as a seasoned coach and passionate educator, specializing in leadership development, team building, program establishment, and career readiness.Gartin's educational background is both diverse and ongoing. He holds a B.S. in Geography from Old Dominion University and an M.A. in Geography from the University of South Carolina. He is currently completing his Master's in Organizational Leadership at NAU, with an expected graduation date of December 2024, further enhancing his expertise in the field.His professional experience extends beyond academia. Gartin served for over eight years in the US Naval Reserves as an Avionic Technician and Plane Captain on the E2C 'Hawkeye' aircraft with VAW-78. His teaching career includes roles as a full-time faculty member and adjunct professor at five colleges and universities, where he taught a range of geography and first-year experience/seminar courses.Gartin's coaching experience is equally extensive. He has been a rowing coach for over 20 years, working with junior, university, and masters athletes. His 12-year tenure coaching D1 & D2 Women's Rowing resulted in six Conference Championships and one NCAA Championship.In his leadership approach, Gartin integrates Servant, Transformational, Ethical, Situational, and Authentic Leadership with Emotional Intelligence and Positive Coaching. His style emphasizes fostering respect, trust, motivation, and achievement recognition, aiming to enhance positive team dynamics and individual performance, as well as develop and enhance leadership capabilities. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

James Rowe shares his journey from cutting hair to becoming a senior leader in an organization. He emphasizes the importance of confidence and having tough conversations as a leader. James also discusses the concept of leading from behind, where you empower and support the talents of the people around you. He shares tips on building trust and establishing relationships with team members. James highlights the value of community service and how it shaped his perspective on leadership. He encourages persistence and perseverance in pursuing career goals and advises embracing the gig economy by stacking different opportunities together.Keywordsleadership, confidence, tough conversations, leading from behind, empowerment, trust, community service, persistence, perseverance, gig economyTakeawaysConfidence is key in having tough conversations as a leader.Leading from behind means empowering and supporting the talents of the people around you.Building trust early is crucial in establishing strong relationships with team members.Community service can shape one's perspective on leadership and the importance of giving back.Persistence and perseverance are essential in pursuing career goals.Embrace the gig economy by stacking different opportunities together. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this conversation, Ari Block interviews Ben Gioia, author and book coach, about the power of influence and building authority. Ben emphasizes the importance of serving others and understanding their needs before creating a product or service. He also discusses the value of trust and how it can be cultivated through genuine interactions. Ben shares his personal journey of self-discovery and how it led him to help others write and publish books. He provides insights into his efficient book writing process and the importance of meditation in improving one's life.Keywordsinfluence, authority, serving others, trust, book writing, self-discovery, meditationTakeawaysBuilding authority is important for influencing others to say yes to us.Listening to and serving others is key to understanding their needs and creating valuable products or services.Trust is crucial in building lasting relationships and generating positive experiences.Avoid using scare tactics or manipulative strategies to influence others.Negativity bias can be overcome by focusing on positive and authentic storytelling.Personalization and empathy are effective methods for connecting with others and sharing meaningful stories.Meditation is a powerful tool for improving focus, awareness, and overall well-being.TitlesThe Power of Trust and Genuine InteractionsBuilding Authority and Influence Through ServiceSound Bites"When somebody sees us as an authority, it's easier for them to say yes to change their lives.""How can you serve? How can you help first and foremost?""Good stuff cultivates trust and trust helps people say yes to us." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this conversation, Jordan discusses the importance of building trust with different stakeholders in product management, including the engineering team, customer success, sales, and marketing. He emphasizes the need for transparency, clear communication, and collaboration. Jordan also highlights the significance of aligning the product strategy with the company strategy and the importance of having a strong product roadmap that is driven by the mission, vision, and OKRs. He shares insights on how to navigate challenges such as feature requests, changing priorities, and organizational culture. Additionally, Jordan shares a story about transitioning from a customer-driven approach to a strategy-driven approach and the challenges and benefits that came with it.Keywordsproduct management, trust, transparency, communication, collaboration, engineering team, customer success, sales, marketing, product strategy, company strategy, product roadmap, feature requests, organizational cultureTakeawaysBuilding trust with stakeholders, such as the engineering team and customer success, is crucial for effective product management.Transparency and clear communication are key to maintaining trust and alignment with stakeholders.Aligning the product strategy with the company strategy is essential for driving product development and achieving business goals.Having a strong product roadmap that is driven by the mission, vision, and OKRs helps prioritize and focus efforts.Navigating challenges, such as feature requests and changing priorities, requires balancing flexibility and maintaining a cohesive approach.Organizational culture plays a significant role in product management success, and a lack of transparency and a feature-focused mindset can hinder progress.Transitioning from a customer-driven approach to a strategy-driven approach requires time, building relationships, and helping stakeholders connect the dots.Product managers should strive for a balance between meeting customer needs and driving business outcomes.TitlesNavigating Challenges in Product ManagementAligning Product Strategy with Company StrategySound Bites"Customer success can often feel underappreciated and like an underutilized input into product strategy.""The biggest way for trust with the engineering team to go wrong is showing that it's important and then you understand why it's important.""Sales and marketing tend to get very excited when you talk about potential new features and forget that word at the beginning of things." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The conversation revolves around the technical difficulties of live streaming on various social media platforms and the power of storytelling. The guest, Karen Eber, shares her personal story of having two different colored eyes and how it became a superpower for her in social interactions. She also tells a story about a friend who dropped her phone down an elevator shaft and the unexpected solution to retrieve it. The host, Ari Block, asks questions about using storytelling to develop a culture and the frequency and construction of stories. In this part of the conversation, Karen Eber discusses the importance of understanding the audience when telling a story. She emphasizes the need to consider the audience's emotions, desired actions, and mindset in order to create a story that resonates with them. She also highlights the importance of adjusting the story for different audiences, such as children or security guards. Ari Block then challenges Karen to tell a story using her storytelling tips, and she shares a personal story about her son overcoming bullying. The conversation also touches on the role of storytelling in professional environments, particularly when presenting data. Karen explains that storytelling can help ground people in the data and create a shared understanding. The conversation concludes with Karen sharing her experience of giving a TED talk and the lessons she learned from it.Keywordslive streaming, social media, technical difficulties, storytelling, personal story, superpower, elevator shaft, phone, culture, frequency, construction, storytelling, audience, emotions, mindset, adjusting, personal story, bullying, professional environments, data presentation, TED talkTakeawaysLive streaming on multiple social media platforms can be challenging and require technical troubleshooting.Personal stories can be powerful tools for connection and engagement.The frequency and construction of stories should be tailored to the audience and the desired impact.Stories should be relevant, meaningful, and well-structured to effectively convey messages and values.Leaders can use storytelling to make people feel seen and valued, regardless of their role in the organization. Consider the audience's emotions, desired actions, and mindset when telling a story.Adjust the story for different audiences to make it relatable and relevant.Storytelling can be effective in professional environments, particularly when presenting data.Ground people in the data by telling a story that creates a shared understanding.Vulnerability and authenticity can make a story more relatable and impactful.TitlesUsing Storytelling to Develop a CultureThe Unexpected Solution to a Dropped Phone Adapting Stories for Different AudiencesStorytelling in Professional EnvironmentsSound Bites"I have two different color eyes and it's my favorite thing about myself.""My eyes did give me this superpower of being able to use storytelling to create connection in the most artificial of circumstances.""She walks in the elevator and goes to press the button, and her phone just falls right out of her hands.""What do I want this audience to feel internally?""Adjust the story for different audiences to make it relatable and relevant.""Storytelling grounds people in the data and creates a shared understanding." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

SummaryEleanor shares her journey of moving to Brazil, learning Portuguese, and transitioning from a career in finance to becoming an executive emotional coach. She emphasizes the importance of following your intuition and feeling your feelings to create your reality. Eleanor discusses her vision of creating a healing center and how she manifested it through focus and determination. The retreat she offers focuses on emotional intelligence and intuition, helping individuals unlearn limiting beliefs and relearn what they want to do in life. The goal is to provide tools and support to help people start their dream lives.KeywordsBrazil, Portuguese, finance, intuition, emotional intelligence, healing center, retreat, unlearn, relearn, realityTakeawaysFollow your intuition and feel your feelings to create your realityUnlearn limiting beliefs and relearn what you want to do in lifeFocus and determination can help manifest your dreamsEmotional intelligence and intuition are key skills to developEleanor offers a retreat to help individuals start their dream livesTitlesDeveloping Emotional Intelligence and IntuitionStarting Your Dream Life with Eleanor's RetreatSound Bites"I speak Portuguese now.""Feel your feelings. Feel your feelings.""You are the most interesting finance person I've ever spoken to." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this conversation, the guest discusses the importance of problem identification in product management and the tendency for teams to jump to solutions without fully understanding the problem. They emphasize the value of spending time on the problem and challenging assumptions. The guest also highlights the need for psychological safety in teams, where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves and receiving feedback. They draw parallels between product management and competitive soccer, emphasizing the importance of resilience and learning from mistakes. The guest offers coaching services for product management and leadership.Keywordsproduct management, problem identification, solutions, psychological safety, resilience, learning from mistakes, coachingTakeawaysTake the time to fully understand the problem before jumping to solutionsChallenge assumptions and spend time on problem identificationCreate a psychologically safe environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing themselves and receiving feedbackDevelop resilience and learn from mistakesDraw parallels between product management and competitive soccer, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and learningConsider seeking coaching for product management and leadership developmentTitlesCreating a Psychologically Safe Environment for TeamsThe Value of Problem Identification in Product ManagementSound Bites"There's a lot of people that I see in product management in organizations, they tend to jump very, very quickly to solutionizing and to, oh, we can fix that right away. There's not even thinking too much about the problem.""You really have to suspend your existing framework. You have to walk away from the fuck of everything you know and just listen and think differently and collaborate with people who really do think differently.""First and foremost, and we already touched on it, is that curiosity and that passion for learning and passion for learning new things and going out there and the empathy for experiencing life in somebody else's shoes." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

SummaryHaley, a private investigator specializing in missing persons cases, discusses her work and the challenges she faces. She handles a variety of cases, including cold cases and finding birth parents. Haley emphasizes the importance of time in missing persons cases and the difficulties of finding evidence and witnesses after a long period of time. She also highlights the limitations and dramatization of TV shows about investigations. Haley believes in the integration of intuitive insight and tangible evidence in her work as a medium. She expresses concern about the increasing number of missing children and the lack of awareness and action in addressing child human trafficking.Keywordsprivate investigator, missing persons cases, cold cases, birth parents, time factor, evidence, witnesses, TV shows, intuitive insight, tangible evidence, child human traffickingTakeawaysPrivate investigators handle a range of cases, including cold cases and finding birth parents.Time is a crucial factor in missing persons cases, and it becomes more difficult to find evidence and witnesses as time passes.TV shows about investigations often dramatize the process and leave out the hours of investigative work involved.Intuitive insight and tangible evidence can be integrated in investigations, but there is skepticism and stigma around mediums.There is a concerning increase in the number of missing children, and more awareness and action are needed to address child human trafficking.TitlesUncovering the Truth: Inside the World of a Private InvestigatorThe Time Factor in Missing Persons Cases: Challenges and SolutionsSound Bites"I enjoy being able to bring people closure after so long.""TV shows leave out the hours of investigative work that goes into cases.""Eyewitness testimony is not always 100% valid, tangible evidence is crucial." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

SummaryIn this conversation, Ari Block interviews Rudy Krabbe, discussing his proudest moment in his professional history, his experience working at Swatch, the challenges of meeting incredible demand, the history and innovation of Swatch, the differences between markets, the importance of honest communication and feedback, and the difficulties of restructuring and firing employees. Rudy emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, developing skills, embracing new technologies, and being self-aware.Keywordsprofessional history, proudest moment, Swatch, challenges, demand, innovation, differences between markets, honest communication, feedback, restructuring, firing employees, self-awarenessTakeawaysStay true to yourself and base yourself on your strengths.Embrace new technologies and look for ways to improve your performance.Be self-aware and strive to do better.Learn from your mistakes and be open to honest communication and feedback.Restructuring and firing employees can be difficult, but it's important to handle it with empathy and fairness.TitlesEmbracing Challenges and Innovations at SwatchThe Importance of Honest Communication and FeedbackSound Bites"Embrace new technologies and improve your performance.""The innovation of Swatch was the movement with a superb accuracy with only 51 parts.""Listen to the input from different markets to fulfill the demand." ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★