Failing Forward

Some addicts are “scared straight” after a run-in with local police, but Trevor Steinhauser didn’t rub elbows with the Cincinnati Police Department. He got a call from the Drug Enforcement Agency. After years of drinking and using drugs, his interactions with federal agents compelled him to finally go to rehab. On episode 62, the husband and father of three shares his addiction and recovery journey. Trevor believes his anxiety, depression, and penchant for head trauma as a young child led to his addiction. His sobriety led him to mend his relationship with his formerly estranged brother and start a podcast about behavioral health, mental health, and addiction. Listen to Stigmatized, Trevor’s podcast: https://www.stigmatizedpodcast.com/

Ten years ago, Cherylanne Skolnicki’s biggest fears were failure and humiliation. She had just left her job at P&G to start a coaching business that’s completely different from the work-life mentoring company that she runs today. But for Cherylanne, her first business didn’t fail. It was a pivot to get where she is today. On episode 61, Cherylanne shares how becoming a mother changed her, how to find your purpose, and how to re-energize your life through foundational balance practices. She also discusses how she knew it was time to leave corporate America and strike out on her own. Learn more about Brilliant Balance: https://cherylanneskolnicki.com/ Listen to the Brilliant Balance Podcast: https://cherylanneskolnicki.com/podcast/

Jim Price likes to say he fails occasionally and learns continuously. That’s the mindset he encourages his employees at Empower to inhabit day in and day out. After becoming CEO of the creative media agency, which his mother started more than three decades ago, Jim invested in creating and more clearly communicating the company’s core values, which includes the tenet “Dust yourself off.” On episode 60, Jim discusses leadership, goal setting and the projects and ideas that have resulted from his forward-thinking attitude. A huge advocate for Cincinnati, Jim also shares his vision for our region, starting with ditching our Queen City nickname. Note: This episode was recorded in early January when unemployment numbers were significantly lower than today. More about: - Traction by Gino Wickman and the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) model: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/traction-gino-wickman/1100073595 - Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/ Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com.

When she was in her late 30s, Stacy Sims wanted to be and feel different every day. But every day, she was repeating the same behavior—drinking—that was keeping her stuck. The same week she went into recovery, she started practicing pilates. Since then, Stacy has opened and later sold Pendleton Pilates, published a novel, and founded TheWell.World, an international network of mindfulness gatherings. Stacy discusses what she calls our resilience blueprint and how to foster your mind-body connection through meditation and other mindfulness habits on episode 59. And as a special bonus, she leads at short guided meditation at the end of the episode. Links: Learn about TheWell.World and Mindful Music Moments: https://www.thewell.world/ Get more information about True Body Project: https://www.truebodyproject.org/ Stacy's books: https://www.stacysims.net/books Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at www.corpconsciousness.com.

After 12 years in commercial banking, Darin Hall joined the mergers and acquisitions arm for Coca-Cola. He liked being in development, but after closing a deal to buy a source water plant in Africa so Pepsi couldn’t have it, Darin had an internal crisis. “What the hell am I doing?” he remembers thinking. “I’m not doing anything substantial.” On episode 58, Darin talks about recommitting to his passion and purpose and devoting his career to community development. Along the way, he’s worked in the philanthropic world, as well as the public and private sectors. The president and CEO of Civitas Development Group also shares an important lesson: Developing your network is a crucial part of creating change. Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at www.corpconsciousness.com. --

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a new normal, one complete with social distancing, remote working, and a whole lot of uncertainty and fear. Learning how to calm ourselves and reframe our thinking is more important than ever. Sara Hyzdu, a neuroscience coach and the founder of Why Grey Matters, joined us for our first live-streamed podcast recording to share coronavirus coping strategies. On episode 57, Sara explains what happens in the brain when we feel stress and fear and how we can introduce the feel-good hormones of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin back into our brain right now. She shares lots of tips on how to connect with and support your kids and yourself. By focusing on what we do know and understanding our brains better, we have more control over our choices and feelings. Learn more about Why Grey Matters: https://www.whygreymatters.com/. These five foods boost brainpower: https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/foods-linked-to-better-brainpower. Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com/.

Gee Horton grew up in a poor family with three siblings and no understanding of how he could pursue his dream of being an artist. He became a college basketball coach, but at the end of 2015, he wrote that he wanted to find his way back to art and have his work displayed in galleries. Now, Gee has a thriving side hustle as a hyperrealist artist in addition to his executive recruiter job. On episode 56, the self-taught artist shares how he developed his artistic skills, how his side hustle has influenced his career, and the burgeoning art scene in Cincinnati that’s being driven by minority artists. Plus, he shares some great tips about manifesting and aligning yourself.

A mentor once told Stacey Browning to start doing the job you want before you have it. She took that to heart, rising in the ranks at Paycor until she was president. As a lifelong learner and a high achiever, it was natural for Stacey to lean in to new opportunities. What didn’t come as easily was being vulnerable enough to show up as her whole self, including being the mother of a child with a severe genetic mutation. On episode 55, Stacey shares why vulnerability is a strength, when you shouldn’t share, and how to care less about what other people think. Today, she is a managing director for venture capital firm CincyTech, and instead of staying isolated, she seeks out support when she needs it.

What do you do when you quit your great P&G gig to start a company and your best laid plans fall apart? If you’re William Schumacher, you have a midnight brainstorm session, screw up the courage to email a highly sought-after partner, and miraculously get a call back. So began www.uprisingFood.com, which today sells keto bread across the country. On episode 54, William talks about fulfilling a life-long dream of being an entrepreneur, how to separate your identity from your professional performance, and what he learned from his father’s business failure. P.S. William’s girlfriend said yes! Congrats to the happy couple. Learn about Uprising, www.uprisingfood.com. Take our listener survey: https://www.failforwardpod.com/survey. Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at www.corpconsciousness.com.

When John Lame was a teenager, his family was under significant financial stress that caused John to pay his own way at St. Xavier High School. Then, he lost his father and one of his brothers in the span of 10 years. But if it wasn’t for those challenging situations, John probably wouldn’t have left his unfulfilling job at P&G to start his own business. Today, he is the CEO and chairman of Lenox Wealth Management and Untapped, a wealth creation consultancy. On episode 53, John discusses his grieving process and how facing loss taught him to put his happiness first. The financial advisor also shares advice for people looking to build their value and create wealth. Listen to the Untapped podcast: https://www.livelifeuntapped.com/podcasts and for more info on coaching, email: info@livelifeuntapped.com. Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com/.

In high school, Aaron Laine starting experimenting with alcohol and drugs, but he wasn’t an addict. At 25, he was prescribed pain medication for migraines and a persistent back injury. Aaron was a husband and father of three, but he wasn’t an addict then either. But 27 or 28, using drugs wasn’t a non-issue any more, and soon enough he was using heroin. Aaron’s recovery journey has been long and difficult, but some of his greatest gifts have blossomed from his lowest moments. On episode 52, he talks about the life-changing power of compassion and what he’s learned from his own podcast, Tragedy to Triumph. Listen to Tragedy to Triumph: https://fromtragedy.simplecast.com/ If you or someone you know is battling addiction, find help through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or online at https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com/.

Matt Moran is a husband, father and successful salesman who has worked in the financial services industry for nearly 20 years. The Cincinnati native is also living with kidney cancer. Matt was first diagnosed in 2015, but after one of his kidneys was removed, doctors told him he was cancer-free. Then, in late 2018, the cancer returned, and the biopsied tumor was malignant. On episode 51, Matt discusses why and how he has chosen to view his cancer as a blessing. In April, he started a blog to track his journey and inspire others. His disease has taught him that how you respond to situations you face defines who you are. You can support Matt by reading his blog (https://gratitudematt.com/) or by making a donation to the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html) Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com/.

To celebrate our 50th episode, Jamie Smith, publisher of the Cincinnati Business Courier, returns to the studio. But this time, he’s the host, and he interviews Sarah about her own story of failure and resilience. In 2017, Sarah was the co-owner of Blown, a popular blow dry bar that was struggling to make ends meet. She was also using drinking as a crutch, and it was starting to affect her marriage. She realized it was time to make some changes, and as soon as she did, she started noticing opportunity all around her. Healing from her failed business and her alcoholism hasn’t always been easy, but Sarah wouldn’t change a thing. She explains what she learned from it all and encourages us all to reject perfection on this episode. Listen to Jamie Smith on episodes 30 and 34 of Failing Forward. Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com/.

During her undergrad at UC, Britney Ruby Miller was diagnosed with epilepsy. Doctors told her it was her body’s response to severe stress and a lack of sleep. The experience taught Britney how to create boundaries that keep her healthy and allow her to spend time doing the things that are most important to her. On episode 49, Britney discusses the method she used to discover the mission and vision for her life and her leadership style as President of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment, which has doubled its revenue since Britney took the helm. She also explains the social covenants that dictate the professional relationships in the company, what place spirituality can have in the workplace and lots more. Learn more about the Jeff Ruby Foundation. https://jeffrubyfoundation.org/ Support us by supporting our sponsor! Looking to create change and develop your emotional intelligence to become a better leader? Learn how Deni Tato and Corporate Consciousness can help at https://www.corpconsciousness.com/.

As a medical student in the 1980s, Carl Fichtenbaum saw his first patient who was suffering from an unknown illness that would later be known as HIV/AIDS. Carl didn’t know it then, but he would eventually become an infectious diseases physician specializing in HIV/AIDS research. On episode 48, the professor of medicine at University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine shares the history the AIDS crisis and what it was like to take care of deathly ill patients at a time when many health care providers refused to even enter their hospital rooms. In the early years, 90 percent of Carl’s patients died as doctors struggled to find long-term management solutions. Carl reminds us that staying hopeful when things seem bleak means remembering that our past failures have taught us just as much as our successes.