The ThoughtFuel Podcast

Join Nicos Marcou for this fascinating episode on embracing lifelong learning with Children’s Book Author K.Marcus. In this episode they discuss the joys of both lifelong learning and reading, how it ties to our emotional health, why reading to your children is so important for creating a solid foundation for effective communication, and their imagination. We also discuss how to curate for events like TEDx and the creative but long process of writing and publishing a book. Not an episode you want to miss if you are an avid reader or desire to publish a book. K. Marcus comes from a long line of strong women readers. She volunteers for SCBWI Westchester, as an academic support for children, is in 2 book clubs, works as needed ​for her local independent bookshop. She has been a freelance photographer, Pre-K, K, and 1 teacher, TEDx organizer/volunteer and community activist. When she isn’t reading, writing or researching, you’ll find her outside enjoying nature. She has 2 children and lives in the Historic Hudson Valley with her spouse, cats, Westley & Buttercup, and dog, Indie. Frankenstein’s Matzah: A Passover Parody published in January 2024 and is her debut picture book. Find more info on kmarcuswrites.com. Click on the below for more on K. Marcus:http://www.kmarcuswrites.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-marcus-98669318?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app Click on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou for this exciting episode on how you can improve your communication skills. Nicos is joined by Communications expert and founder of C3Speech Lisa M. Patti M.S., CCC-SLP and they discuss proven methods on how you can effectively engage your audience both virtually and live. They further more discuss the importance of authenticity in communication, imposter syndrome, managing your tone and rhythm when communicating etc. Not an episode you want to miss if you want to be an effective communicator. Lisa M. Patti M.S., CCC-SLP is the founder of C3Speech. She has been working with international professionals, students and entrepreneurs for more than 20 years. Her love of learning and meeting people from around the world drives her work. Lisa developed the The C3 Approach which recognizes that there is a synergy between communicating clear messages, the clarity of speech and voice, and the impact of culture on communication. Lisa empowers professionals from around the world with the tools they need to have the control and flexibility that is necessary for great communicators in a global world. Her clients range from international accelerator programs such as Starta VC and Techstars, to individuals from PWC, Columbia University, and Gunderson Dettmer. Lisa is a NYS licensed and ASHA certified Speech and Language Pathologist. She holds certificates in “Developing Intercultural Training Skills” from LTS Training, Bath, England, “International Certificate in Emotional Skills and Competencies” and “Evaluating Truthfulness and Credibility”, EIA Group, Manchester, England.Lisa's website: https://www.c3speech.com/Lisa's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisapattiClick on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou as he has a discussion with Eduardo Briceño on how you can balance learning and performing to unlock the potential for remarkable growth and success. In this episode discuss the Performance Paradox which is the counterintuitive phenomena that if we focus only on performing, our performance suffers. If our sole focus is on getting things done as best as we can without making mistakes and learning from them, we stop growing. Join us as we uncover effective strategies and insights on how to improve personal and team performance but also accelerate a culture of growth. Eduardo shares his exciting journey, and the lessons learned from his extensive career.Eduardo Briceño is a keynote speaker and facilitator who guides many of theworld’s leading companies in developing cultures of learning, innovation, andhigh performance. His TED and TEDx talks on growth mindset and theLearning Zone have been watched more than nine million times.He is the author of The Performance Paradox: Turning the Power of Mindsetinto Action, which was selected as a Must Read by the Next Big Idea Club andhas won multiple awards. Eduardo’s work has been featured in HarvardBusiness Review, Big Think, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Fast Company,Forbes, Inc., Quartz, and other leading media.Earlier in his career, Eduardo was the co-founder and CEO of Mindset Works, the pioneer in growth mindset development services that he started with Stanford professor Carol Dweck and which he led for over a decade. Prior to that, he was a venture capital investor with the Sprout Group and served on several for-profit and non-profit boards. Before that, he was an investment banking analyst withCredit Suisse. He is a Pahara-Aspen Fellow, a member of the Aspen Institute’s Global Leadership Network, and an inductee in the Happiness Hall of Fame.Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Eduardo holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and engineering from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as an MBA and M.A. in education from Stanford University.Website: https://www.briceno.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardo-briceno/X/Twitter: @ebriceno8Book: www.performanceparadox.comClick on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou as he has a discussion with professional MMA Fighter “Josh “SuperGlue” Altum. In this episode we discuss how to take control of your own career, the importance of mental clarity and how to manage life’s challenges whether you win or lose. We also discuss the importance of both physical and mental health and what actions you can take to perform at your best, in and out of the cage. Josh “SuperGlue” Altum is a professional MMA fighter and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt. Josh currently competes in the Featherweight division and fights out of the State of Texas. He has devoted his life in mastering his craft based on his impressive professional record. Josh has fought for a variety of professional promotions for more than a decade including Fury F.C. Josh’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supergluealtum/?hl=enJosh’s X account: https://twitter.com/supergluealtum?lang=en Josh”s YouTube account: https://www.youtube.com/@JoshAltum Click on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast: Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou as he welcomes Elaine Montilla in a discussion on the importance of belonging, why finding a mentor and being one is important to your career. They also discuss imposter syndrome, and how you can overcome it to be able to lead as your authentic self. Elaine provides great examples from her career that speak to all of us. Elaine Montilla is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for US School Assessment at Pearson, a former Forbes Technology Council member, and an accomplished senior executive with over two decades as an IT leader in education. Elaine is also a TEDx speaker, a Forbes Technology Council member, and the founder of 5xminority, Inc., a company with a mission to demonstrate how businesses can be powerful platforms for social change through elevating the voices of women and marginalized groups in tech.Elaine's Website: https://5xminority.com/Elaine's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emontillaClick on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou as he has a discussion with the talented HR Strategy Leader Tracy Toler Lightsy. In this episode we discuss how to take control of your own personal development, develop a better personal brand, cultivate your network and address the challenges that arise as you are progressing in your career.Tracy Toler Lightsy is an HR Strategy Leader with experience that spans the course of almost 25 years in both the Global professional services space as well as with mid-sized public consulting firms. As a strategy leader, Tracy specializes in leadership development, career navigation enablement, performance management, talent development strategy and various HR related initiatives. Tracy is highly regarded in the industry as a versatile, take-charge business professional. When she is not overseeing strategic HR initiatives, Tracy provides executive coaching support to young professionals looking to enhance their career growth options.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-toler-ma-393a00bClick on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou as he has a discussion with pioneering thought leader in “Visual Leadership”, Todd Cherches. In this episode we discuss how to leverage visual imagery & drawings, mental models & frameworks, metaphors & analogies, storytelling & humor to become a better visual thinker and communicator. This approach will help you break down barriers of communication and help you better lead others and yourself. Todd also shares knowledge and wisdom from his fascinating career journey. Todd Cherches is the CEO and cofounder of BigBlueGumball, a NYC-based management consulting firm specializing in leadership development and executive coaching. He is a member of Marshall Goldsmith’s “MG 100 Coaches,” a three-time award-winning Adjunct Professor of leadership at NYU, a Lecturer on leadership at Columbia University, a TEDx speaker, and the author of the groundbreaking book, VisuaLeadership: Leveraging the Power of Visual Thinking in Leadership and in Life (Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster, 2020). Todd was one of eight global finalists for the 2021 Thinkers50 "Distinguished Achievement Award" in Leadership, and is listed by Thinkers360 as one of the "Top 50 Global Thought Leaders and Influencers" in the fields of Management and Design Thinking, and ranked #44 on the Leadership Power List 200. Todd's book, VisuaLeadership, was named by Soundview Executive Book Summaries as one of the "Best Business Books of 2022."Website: www.toddcherches.com Website: www.bigbluegumball.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddcherches/ Click on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast: Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join Nicos Marcou as he welcomes Flexibility Expert Jasmin Monserrate on a discussion on how to increase your personal flexibility, and improve both your mindset and quality of life through movement and through establishing a proper routine. In this engaging discussion they discuss the guidance and workings of David Sinclair, Peter Attia and David Goggins and how we can go on a path of improving our physical and mental wellbeing one day at a time. Jasmin Monserrate is a Flexibility expert and movement specialist with over 6 years of experience. She draws inspiration from both standard PT practices as well as circus and contortion modalities. Her mission is to empower individuals to feel limitless in their bodies. Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jasmin_monserrateYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jasminmonserrate5250Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasmin__monserrate/Subscribe to the ThoughtFuel PodcastApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/cy/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5MYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNATik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thoughtfuelpodThe ThoughtFuel Podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Join our host Nicos Marcou as he welcomes Charalampos "Ferocious" Grigoriou in this inspiring episode entitled "Charalampos Grigoriou's journey from Cyprus to the UFC" where Charalampos shares his journey from fighting in basements in Cyprus to the highest stage. We also discuss why it is important to have a good support system when chasing your dreams, the physical and mental aspect of being a fighter and overcoming challenges along the way, and how he left a solid career in nursing for a chance to achieve his goals. He goes into detail on how he develops the right mindset as he prepares for his upcoming fight on March 16th for UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.Charalampos can be found on Instagram @theferociousmmaClick on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join our host Nicos Marcou as he welcomes Donna Korren in this enlightening episode entitled "Preparing for a new chapter of your life ," where they discuss the daunting process of starting something new and preparing for a new chapter in your life. They discuss the aspect of fear, how challenging it is to address it and move on, but also offer the hope needed to overcome something that is getting in the way of you being the best version of yourself.Donna Korren is a speaker, writer, and coach on topics relevant to the 50+ audience. Through her live “What’s Next?” workshop and speaking engagements, she helps people in this demographic to envision and activate their goals for the second half of their lives.In 2019, Donna gave a Tedx talk in Manhattan “The Newest Workforce Disruptors are Over 50!” where she highlighted the opportunities availed to this growing segment of the population. She included a call to action for younger generations and the media to recognize the enormous influence and spending power it wields.Donna spent over 25 years in publishing as Advertising Manager at Vogue, at Time Inc.’s Parenting Group and as a co-founder of Elements, a regional luxury lifestyle magazine.She created Empty Quester™, a digital platform to inspire empty nesters on a quest for their bold next chapter. She is often a guest on other podcasts on the topic of reinvention. She is also the founder of Change, a women owned payment processing company and has worked in the payments industry for the past decade.A graduate of Cornell University, Donna lives in Manhattan with her husband, has two world traveling daughters in their 20s, and a 13-year-old dog Riley who never leaves her side! Relevant Links can be found below:https://youtu.be/KxFvPuWBS5A Tedx Talkhttps://emptyquester.com/ Empty Questerhttps://www.tiktok.com/@emptyquester?lang=en TikTokhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-korren-8725494a/ LinkedInhttps://www.instagram.com/emptyquester/?hl=en InstagramClick on the below for more of The Thoughtfuel Podcast:Website: https://www.thethoughtfuelpod.com/TikTok: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF7W6sFh3MJXmaMTQ09CCNASpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZKego9KoUiYRUqYiwYR5M?si=c9323bb868f34ae0Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-thoughtfuel-podcast/id1730729981

Join our host Nicos Marcou as he welcomes Bharat Nain in this enlightening episode entitled "Finding Your Inner Self and Voice," where they delve into the multifaceted process of personal discovery and self-expression.The episode embarks on a journey across mindfulness, introspection, and self-realization, stressing that these are critical steps to understanding our inner selves. The host emphasizes that becoming aware of our thought patterns, emotions, beliefs, and values is the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of ourselves.About our Guest:Bharat Nain, currently the Director of Engineering at WGSN, is a distinguished technology leader renowned for steering innovation and excellence. With a proven track record of leading high-performing engineering teams, Bharat has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape at WGSN, a global leader in trend forecasting. His strategic vision and commitment to cutting-edge technology have positioned him as a key influencer in the industry. In addition to his role at WGSN, Bharat is a dynamic public speaker sought after for his insights into work culture and mental well-being. He has also been an integral part of the organizing team behind the TEDxChelseaPark, showcasing his commitment to fostering engaging conversations and ideas. Beyond technology, Bharat is deeply passionate about mental well-being. He facilitates shamanic sessions, leveraging his expertise to heal trauma in the body and contributing to the broader dialogue on mental health. Outside of his professional pursuits, Bharat's passions include improv and travel. Whether on stage or exploring new cultures, Bharat brings his zest for life into every endeavor. Follow Bharat on [LinkedIn/Twitter/Other Social Media] for insights into technology, mental well-being, improv, and his adventures around the globe.