Women Worldwide with Deirdre Breakenridge

We've reached our 200th episode. For this Women Worldwide show, the tables are turned and my coach, Dolores Hirschmann, is interviewing me. So, I'm in the "hot seat." I share who I am. What I do. And what Dolores calls getting under the script of Deirdre.

Dolores is a friend and a coach who focuses on effective public speaking whether the focus is growth or improved communication. She believes in people and ideas and emphasizes clarity in communication.

She has a background in academic business, and entrepreneurship. As well as being the East Coast TEDx organizer and an executive coach.

Today’s Episode:

Show Notes

  • [03:04] Deirdre teaches on LinkedIn learning, and she has written multiple books. She is also the voice of reason behind many brands and has helped them articulate their message.
  • [03:40] Deirdre is in the business of storytelling and relationship-building.
  • [03:46] She has been helping businesses and business executives find their voice, elevate their brand, and most of all to be recognized.
  • [04:04] Deirdre has always focused on building relationships around your passion. She is happiest when working with professionals who love to amplify their purpose. It all starts with finding your voice.
  • [04:30] She owned an agency for 14 years. Now she has a communications consulting practice. She finds voices, raises them up, and creates impact and makes a difference.
  • [05:08] Taking care of messaging is what helps position you. It's how you create authority and build your reputation.
  • [07:38] It's okay for an executive not to have all of the answers. You can get the information as things unfold. It's good to stay authentic.
  • [08:56] A lot of what Deirdre does is to help corporations think and things that we do naturally in business.
  • [10:44] Women worldwide is about the same things but also about how you feel. Do you have fear? Do you have empathy? Are you true to your ethics? Do you have love? Breaking the gap between think and FEEL.
  • [12:06] Bringing think and feel together could change the world.
  • [13:35] The FEEL model starts with your employees and showing it. It comes down to balancing your emotions and EQ.
  • [14:38] It looks like giving people credit when credit is due. And not having to be the smartest person in the room. It's opening up your own frame of reference from different perspectives.
  • [17:09] Deirdre stepped out of her comfort zone and helped someone who came out of prison but really wanted to do the right thing. He used his voice to help people be in compliance.
  • [17:57] They rebuilt his brand through social media and the content that he created us blogger. He actually went from prison card to MasterCard and is doing a training series with MasterCard.
  • [19:51] Dolores shares how Deirdre is a magical woman, because she can help create new stories.
  • [21:28] Trust your gut and get out of your comfort zone even if you are scared.
  • [24:15] When Deirdre was young, she wanted to be a veterinarian.
  • [25:28] Her parents were a big influence on her and she wanted to be an educator. Now she is an educator. She has courses, mentors, and writes books.
  • [27:05] Beneath the script is an awakening after the death of her daughter. She is being very present and not taking anything for granted. Cherish the moment more.
  • [30:54] Self-care is crucial. She can go on autopilot if she lets herself. That is a recipe for complete burnout.
  • [32:23] We need self-care refueling and balancing. Deirdre carves time out for herself everyday. She also read The Miracle Morning.
  • [32:18] She follows the SAVERS program which is silence, affirmations, visualization, exercise, reading, and scribing. You can do it all in 6 minutes, take however long you need, or split it up.
  • [32:58] She does the program every morning for 30 minutes to an hour. She even gets up earlier if she has to to refocus and center. Meditation helps to handle challenges and bring yourself back to your center.
  • [33:50] To amplify your passion, you need to know what your passion is and what you actually love.
  • [36:13] We should make most of our money doing what we love to do and what we are born to do. It would be authentic and genuine. We would strive to do our best work. The love and passion we have would be magnetic and contagious.
  • [37:30] Follow the path of your passion, because it builds upon each other like following your headlights on a dark freeway.
  • [39:19] Deirdre has had so many amazing guests that a women worldwide reunion would be awesome.
  • [40:50] If you're going to read Deirdre's books start with PR 2.0, Putting the Public Back in Public Relations, Social Media and Public Relations Practices, and then Answers for Modern Communicators.  

Links and Resources:

Direct download: WW200.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

Using data correctly can keep us abreast of what is happening now and predict future trends. One of the problems of using date is presenting it in a way that people can understand. My guest today is a data visualization expert, author, and speaker who specializes in EdTech. Dr. Kristen Sosulski is the author of Data Visualization Made Simple: Insights Into Becoming Visual and an Associate Professor of Information Systems at New York University’s Stern School of Business.

She is here today to talk about what EdTech really is and the role of technology in learning. She also talks about her speciality of data visualization and the role it plays in education, business and society. We even discuss how she stays organized and grounded with a busy schedule.  

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Show Notes

  • [03:19] Kristen learned how to code during the .com era.
  • [03:38] She started working at a new media lab that was focused on technology while she was continuing her education.
  • [03:52] She thought using technology to help people learn was such a shift from her business background.
  • [04:02] Educational technology is the study and practice of facilitating learning and improving learner performance by using technological resources.
  • [04:41] She received a Masters of Instructional Technology from Columbia University then a second Master's and then a Doctorate.
  • [05:41] The technology tools used in learning need to be designed in a way that allow for learning.
  • [06:46] She worked while she was earning her degrees the entire process took about nine years, but she was able to apply her knowledge to her work experience.
  • [07:15] The goal of EdTech is to add components that will best facilitate learning.
  • [09:01] One of the best skills that an educational technologist needs is the ability to wireframe and present their ideas in a concrete form. Project management and meeting deadlines is also very important. Communicating why certain design decisions have been made is also important.
  • [11:01] Kristen's book data visualization made simple is a book for anyone. She explains the core function of how to work with data.
  • [12:49] A big takeaway of the book is not to make your audience work too hard.
  • [14:10] Data visualization is the ability to help tell stories. First it's a tool to communicate. It can show cause and effect or clarify ideas.
  • [15:42] Data can be transformed into information such as trends, product, sales or displays. A great example are dashboards.
  • [16:52] Data doesn't have to only be from the past, we can show what is happening in the present. We can also make predictions for the future with data.
  • [18:07] Everyone needs the opportunity to create data-driven goals and to collect new data.
  • [18:36] Modeling the types of behaviors that you want to see in an organization is the best way to build a culture of use.
  • [19:50] Training around visualization and the best way to use this technique are super important.
  • [24:47] Challenges in EdTech include the ability to slow down and give the attention needed to the task at hand.
  • [25:51] Have the confidence to show your work at a stage when it still isn't perfect. Be open to accepting feedback.
  • [28:32] The technology is always changing so Kristen is always learning. There are always new programs in software challenges that need to be learned.
  • [29:32] It's great to have an understanding of programming, but you don't have to code to be a data visualization expert.
  • [30:19] Kristen likes to incorporate different types of data graphics into her work. She creates multivariate displays by using a few lines of code, because it is much simpler than using a ready-made solution like Tableau.
  • [31:54] Business analytics has recently really exploded. This is a great opportunity for data scientists and learning scientists to model data and improve their practices.
  • [33:50] One of the things throughout her career that Kristen has learned is how she learns. She learns best by teaching others and simplifying the process. She also needs to immerse herself in the topic.
  • [36:57] When we learn we really want to balance all of the systems, we don't want to overload audio or visual etc.
  • [37:39] Allowing for time and slowing down even in your data of presentations is critical.
  • [38:01] Kristen's son keeps her grounded.
  • [38:32] Being more efficient with her time is another thing that helps keep her grounded. When she goes home it's about being a mom.
  • [40:06] Exercise and movement or running or a barre class are some of the ways that Kristen uses to keep stress at bay. Face time also helps mitigate stress.
  • [41:21] One of the tools she likes to use is Google Calendar. She also keeps and shares floating agendas with her team.
  • [43:10] There's a huge opportunity in organizations right now to lead with visualization.

Links and Resources:

Direct download: WW199.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

Fibroids will affect 70% to 80% of women at some point in their lives. For some, it’s a very serious condition that requires surgery and lifestyle changes. Yet, many aren’t familiar with the condition and don’t know how to get help even when they are experiencing symptoms. My guest today is Saterial Venable.

Sateria was diagnosed with fibroids in her 20’s. She had trouble finding information about the condition and treatment options. She became her own advocate and is now a patient advocate for all women suffering from fibroids. She began her working career as an architect, but it was her calling to be a patient advocate, entrepreneur, founder, and social media strategist. She started The Fibroid Foundation and is passionately helping women find the answers and treatment that they so desperately need.

Show Notes

  • [02:42] Sateria is an architect who doesn't have a medical background.
  • [02:53] She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids when she was in her 20s. This health challenge is what brought her here to us today.
  • [03:24] After being diagnosed, she began searching for solutions.
  • [04:16] A lot of women don't even know what fibroids are. It was much more far-reaching than she had realized.
  • [04:36] She first started a blog and then a non-profit.
  • [06:06] 70% of all women will develop fibroids at some point in their lifetimes. In the African American community it is 80%.
  • [06:55] Annual healthcare cost in the US is in the billions.
  • [08:20] Fibroids are triggered by hormonal surges. Reducing hormonal intake can slow the growth.
  • [09:39] The surgery is very invasive and it takes 8 weeks to 7 months to heal. Fibroids can also grow back.
  • [10:26] Satoria had success by changing her diet.
  • [10:56] Her foundation provides education to women in several countries.
  • [12:28] They vet fibroid specialists, but one of the frustrations is trying to help women where there aren't any specialists available.
  • [14:09] Challenges as a social entrepreneur include making the vision a reality. She had to believe and focus to make her dream come true.
  • [17:02] Reiki is energy healing. It's a focus of intention of healing.
  • [18:13] Satoria reached out to a reiki specialist and became a believer and a practitioner.
  • [19:19] Naprapathy is also a technique she uses along with yoga. Eastern medicine is very helpful.
  • [20:41] Medical interventions may also be necessary using Western medicine.
  • [25:35] Satoria tries to be caring and inclusive with her team. It's important for her to incorporate healthy practices into their work environment. They focus on self-care and wholeness.
  • [28:54] Compassion and being sensitive to the plight of others are a couple of Satoria's greatest strengths.
  • [31:06] Fundraising takes a lot of effort. Networking has helped her the most because people like to interact with people. Develop relationships and make sure your partners see the value and what you are doing.
  • [32:57] Their Facebook fundraisers have been a wonderful area of support.
  • [34:23] Social media has been very pivotal in fundraising. Especially, now that she has the platforms in place.
  • [36:10] Success looks like being able to help a woman in distress who needs help.
  • [38:11] Being able to provide that comfort is why Satoria is here.
  • [40:02] Satoria's mom let her be her. Her mentor was her uncle who she lived with after college. He was an angel who touched her life.
  • [43:02] Follow your natural inclination and devote specific focus to what you are trying to achieve. Follow your bliss.
  • [44:21] We have the ability to bring things in the world that have never been done before.

Links and Resources:

Direct download: WW198.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:00am EDT

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