Failing Forward

Like many high-achievers, Karen Bankston had a full life. She was successful in her career, held advanced degrees, had a family, and knew her strengths. But a nagging feeling wouldn’t go away. She wondered: Where was her joy? On episode 89, the retired hospital executive and nurse explains how she found her answer by learning to separate her identity from her accomplishments. Karen also shares her leadership lessons. Show Notes: - Listen to Will Smith on Jay Shetty’s podcast On Purpose: https://jayshetty.me/podcast/owning-your-truth-and-unlocking-the-power-of-manifestation/

Kathryn Burmeister had struggled with depression and anxiety before, but it never was so bad as when she felt abandoned by her law partner. She reached out for help and shortly there after decided to start her own law firm. On episode 88, Kathryn shares her career journey from law-obsessed high school student to business owner. This same journey also inspired Kathryn to write a book, "Overcoming Addiction to the Status Quo." She tells us what status quo means to her, how to find true happiness and why she believes we all can be heroes. Show Notes: - Learn more about Katheryn’s book: https://kathrynfburmeister.com/shop-2/ - If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, 24/7 confidential help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Dr. Lisa Larkin knew life could be a bumpy ride even before she was diagnosed with breast cancer while going through a divorce. Patients of hers had told her cancer was a gift, but she didn’t understand until she found some gifts of her own. On episode 87, Lisa tells us about those gifts, including why she started Ms.Medicine, a national practice model of women’s health trained providers. She also shares the tragic stories of losing both her parents, and how hardship has taught her to be less judgmental. Show Notes: - Learn about Ms.Medicine here: https://msmedicine.com/

Pharmacist Regina Sih-Meynier had it all: a prestigious high-paying job, a nice home, a marriage, and the ability to travel and afford luxuries. She was fulfilling the model minority stereotype thrust upon Asian-Americans and Asian immigrants. But all her successes felt like Golden Handcuffs until she dared to break out of them. On episode 86, Regina shares how she left the corporate world behind to start Oh Universe, her intuitive life coaching company. That journey involved connecting with her inner authentic self and voice, and now she helps her clients do the same. Regina also discusses how to leave your ego narrative, or Egon, behind, how to find what brings you joy, and how the inner authentic voice relates to manifestation. Show Notes: - Check out Oh Universe and download Regina’s three-step framework here: https://www.oh-universe.com/

When he was a kid, Dave McGillivray dreamed of being a professional athlete, but soon he faced the painful reality that it wasn’t in the cards. He started running, and his passion led him to start DMSE Sports, a race and event management company that runs logistics for 30-plus annual events, including the Boston Marathon. On episode 85, Dave shares why he doesn’t believe in failure and how he’s bounced back from life’s inevitable setbacks. While in-person races are temporarily canceled, Dave has pivoted his business in an incredible way and continues to serve others. He also tells us what it was like on the day of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and returning to the starting line once again. Show Notes: - Read Dave’s memoir, The Last Pick: The Boston Marathon Race Director’s Road to Success: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Pick-Marathon-Directors-Success/dp/1594864225 - Learn more about DMSE Sports: https://www.dmsesports.com/

One of the first lessons Terrance Bacchus learned about money came at the expense of his job. Growing up in inner-city Boston, Terrance learned a lot about sacrificing for his future success. Now, he helps other people learn how to reach their goals as a financial coach. On episode 84, Terrance shares how his childhood informed his attitude about money, practical tips from his book and how to think about sacrifice. He also discusses the racial wealth gap and the importance of giving back. Show Notes: - Learn about Bacchus Empowered Coaching: http://www.terrancebacchus.com/ - Find out about Terrance’s book, "Financially Empowered: Achieving Success Through Sacrifice" here: http://www.terrancebacchus.com/author/ - Read about "Rich Dad Poor Dad" here: https://www.richdad.com/

Kyla Woods has never been afraid to be her full authentic self. Knowing her boundaries and personal values have helped her chart a successful career path and make decisions about when to move on. Of course, she’s faced hard times just like everyone else. On episode 83, Kyla tells us about choosing gratitude in the face of grief and processing the current racial justice movement as a Black woman. Although she had never been interested in civic positions in the past, she realized she could make an impact on the criminal justice system by helping to build a community engagement program in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. Show Notes: - Learn more about Crowd or Camera, Kyla’s communications consulting firm: https://crowdorcamera.com/

The people in our lives we spend a lot of energy thinking about often have something to teach us. That’s one lesson author Deborah Burns knows to be true. When she was a child, Deborah idolized her often-absent mother. Later, Deborah became the mom she needed. On episode 82, Deborah shares the gifts that came from her complicated relationship with her mother, including her memoir, "Saturday’s Child." She also tells us about her forthcoming book, "Authorize It!" And building a new career after stepping away from her full-time position. Show Notes: - Check out Deborah’s books, Saturday’s Child and Authorize It! (available this April) here: https://deborahburnsauthor.com/

Anthropologist and conservationist Lesley McNutt spent a decade trying to encourage adults to connect with the nature world in order to save wildlife populations in Botswana. She tried tactic after tactic, but people were more concerned about the HIV/AIDS crisis. That’s when she realized she was educating the wrong people. On episode 81, Lesley shares her story of making a home in Africa, close encounters with apex predators, and finally making inroads with locals through Wild Entrust’s Coaching Conservation program. In 2015, her hard work was validated when the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals aligned the Coaching Conservation model. Lesley founded Wild Entrust with her husband, Tico, and the non-profit is supported in part by the Cincinnati Zoo. As a bonus, she tells us about the connection between African Wild Dogs and the wolves of Yellowstone National Park.

Brad Haudan was determined to blaze his own professional path and not join the consulting company his dad co-founded. On day one of his job in financial services, he knew it wasn’t the right fit. He tried law school, but that wasn’t right either. Then he interned at the family business and never looked back. On episode 80, Brad explains how he knew Root Inc. was the right fit. He also discusses leadership strategies, keeping his cool in what could have been a less-than-stellar client facilitation, and how to make your employees feel connected to your organization’s mission. Show Notes: - Are you ready to interrupt your patterns and live healthier and happier without ever feeling like you are missing out? Learn more about 0.0 Living’s 30-Day Alcohol Reset: https://www.zerozeroliving.com/

After 25 years of working for large restaurant brands, Jason Vaughn wanted to use what he learned to propel a smaller brand. That led him to Frisch’s Big Boy, one of Cincinnati’s most beloved restaurants. But instead of using Frisch’s rich legacy as a guiding force, Jason has worked to make it a grounding force. On episode 79, the Frisch’s president and CEO talks about modernizing the restaurant by honoring, but not necessarily following, the past. Jason also shares a ton of leadership lessons he’s learned during his career, including why his employees are more important than he is and how to foster green light thinking. Show Notes: - Are you ready to interrupt your patterns and live healthier and happier without ever feeling like you are missing out? Learn more about 0.0 Living’s 30-Day Alcohol Reset: http://0-0-living.mykajabi.com/30-day-alcohol-reset

In early 2017, Dr. Sanjay Shewakramani’s wife told him she wasn’t attracted to him anymore. He tried everything to make the relationship work, but by the end of the year, he was divorced for the second time. It was painful, but the lessons he learned have transformed his life. On episode 78, the UC Health physician and president of Revive Strength & Wellness shares how he stopped being angry, learned forgiveness and expanded his self-identity through new hobbies and solo experiences. He also explains two tools that help him reframe his bad days: BAY LEAF and a three-step process of reacting to failure. Show Notes: - Listen to Sanjay’s Tedx Talk, Who is the Asshole in the ER? https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_sanjay_shewakramani_who_is_the_asshole_in_the_er - Learn more about Revive Strength & Wellness: https://revivestrength.com/ - Are you ready to interrupt your patterns and live healthier and happier without ever feeling like you are missing out? Learn more about 0.0 Living’s 30-Day Alcohol Reset: http://0-0-living.mykajabi.com/30-day-alcohol-reset

Two years into her career, Elizabeth Edwards got hooked on venture capital. She moved from consulting to investment work and in 2017 started her own firm. Her high expectations around the amount of money H Venture Partners would raise and how large the company would be eventually became unsustainable, and she realized she was making the people in her life and herself miserable. On episode 77, Elizabeth talks to Sarah about hitting reset, when to dream big and why it’s okay to extend your timeline. An early investor in Peloton, Elizabeth shares how she discovered what would become a household name and the impact of COVID-19 on the world of consumer goods.

Ron Houck was a young teenager when he saw “Camelot” in theaters. At the end of the movie, he realized he had fallen in love with Lancelot, not Guinevere. But it wasn’t until he was in his 20s and had moved halfway across the globe that he truly reckoned with his sexuality. On episode 76, Ron tell us how he made it in the entertainment industry, became a backup singer for Italian pop star Giovanni Scialpi, and embraced that he is gay. Today, Ron owns The Plant Trolley, a business his mom started, and has been with his husband for 25 years. He also shares some great advice on how to be your true self.

When a crisis hits, fear and despair can set in. But Betsy Ross knows you can find positive opportunities from tragedies, too. She had an amazing gig at ESPN and was working in Connecticut on 9/11 and realized it was time to come back to the tri-state area and start her own company. On episode 75, Betsy tell us how she became a TV sports journalist at a time when not many women were working in the field and the invaluable lessons she learned from her mother. She gave us her predictions for sports after the COVID era and shares the story of Lauren Hill, a high school basketball player diagnosed with terminal cancer who spent the last part of her life raising money and awareness for a cure.