As Told By Nomads

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, we are joined by the Director of Learning Programs and the students of Learnlife, a community of changemakers that are building an open ecosystem for a new lifelong learning paradigm alongside existing education systems. From the students themselves, we'll hear of the difference Learnlife is making in education compared to traditional schools and what that means to young and evolving learners. As you tune in, takeaway inspiration on how we can rethink teaching and learning from Learnlife in this episode!School is not overrated, but... As the students of Learnlife share their thoughts on the traditional education system, we get the gist of what it feels like to be a student in this generation. It's generally strict and creates no freedom for creativity. Because of the pandemic, zoom schools and the lack of student support, instead of stimulating and encouraging learning, make it demoralizing for some learners to develop together with lessons. With the y

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Elizabeth Grojean and I talk about her awakening to entrepreneurship, BalooLiving, and the many challenges of upcoming brands and of women in business. Before Elizabeth decided to go back to Bali with little left of her savings, she needed to ask herself the reason why she's stepping into, at that time, what felt like the 'unknown' of that stage of her life. Fast forward today, she considers BalooLiving and everything they do as her service and way to connect with other people. Tune in and find inspiration from how Elizabeth mustered the courage to begin a new phase of her life in this episode!To live by your own termsDespite having done so many things to reinvent herself and give herself a ton of professional experience, Elizabeth was still unfulfilled. But why? The question was not new to her. However, by going through uncomfortable changes in life, she finally decided she can only live on her own terms by starting her own business. Thus, BalooLiving

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Silvy Khoucasian and me to discuss the different styles of attachment, the types of boundaries by Rokelle Lerner, and what she has to say about how to make intentional, genuine connections. Of course, not fully understanding what other people are going through sometimes is understandable. But for Silvy, what's essential at the very least is to learn how to validate the experiences of others even though we're unable to completely empathize. Tune in as Silvy shares more of her wisdom as a Relationship Coach in this episode!How to make a connection on the first date?Sparking connections with people involve elements that differ from person to person. Especially if it's a romantic relationship in a pandemic where the experience, for most people, is a new context. For a start, Silvy talks about boundaries. Boundaries, for her, need to be discussed before the first meet-up. It'd be awkward to talk about what works and what doesn't as the meet-up happens. That

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Juanita Ingram and me to talk about the trailing spouse syndrome, Racism, the pandemic, and 'The Expats: International Ingrams' – the reality tv show that depicts their lives as an African-American family living abroad. Moving to London as a career move for his husband was a total mixed bag of feelings for Juanita as an attorney. From there, she began to unfold an array of realizations that she both struggled with and blossomed from. Tune in and find out how Juanita learned to redefine her life's new and changing seasons in this episode!The Conception of The Show: The Expats: International IngramsJuanita is a self-confessed fan of reality shows. But no matter how much she is fond of them, she admits many things are lacking about the majority of the reality shows we see on TV. "…how we're being portrayed, in what's supposed to be reality shows, are impacting how the world sees us as black people," Juanita believes. In this episode, she recalls one gathe

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Erica Dhawan and me to talk about what digital body language is, what it means to be inclusive, and the tips for connecting better – digitally. Now that more work-from-home settings are in place communicating may be an obstacle for some. Without the personal experience of body language, understanding how to connect is a challenge. But for Erica, body language didn't disappear—it just evolved. Tune in with us and learn about how Erica sees body language in the digital setting in this episode!The Digital Body Language You Already Have Unlike when communicating face-to-face, understanding how someone responds to you through a video call or through chat can be very challenging. Most of the time, you're only limited to judging texts and video calls. When work is concerned, this can be frustrating. But don't lose hope just yet! There are typical examples of digital body language that you're probably just overlooking. If you observe more, you can totally

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Aubrey Blanche and me as we talk about racialization, equitable leadership, living outside the binary, and more. As someone who opted out from being often white assumed, Aubrey uses her story to teach people about race and privilege. She also talks about the effects of tragedy olympics in this episode and how the game of 'who's pain is worse?' squanders the opportunity for anyone involved to champion empathy. For Aubrey, it's not saying that we shouldn't engage in critique, but we should do so on the grounds of compassion and not on violence and argument. Find out more about how you can live outside of the binary in this episode as you tune in to Aubrey Blanche!Everyone Must Find Their Work & Do It!For Aubrey, right now, there's so much work to do on our idea that the way we do things is the only way. She thinks that our work is such a function of the privileges we hold that we spend a lot of time actively arguing with each other about what the bes

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Michael Roderick and me to discuss the frameworks to developing a referable brand and the approach to relationship building. Often, when people network, all they do is scatter shock. Instead, Michael explains why intention and an effort to spark curiosity are vital when building your connections. Michael also discusses how information can be carried more quickly when it's simple and has an emotional impact in the face of academia that rewards complexity. As someone big on patterns, for Michael, frameworks can be found even in reflection and self-awareness. Find out more about how you can be referable in this episode as you tune in to Michael Roderick!The T.C.M. Index When it comes to teaching, most of the time, nothing is being taught within the space of relationship building. If there is, it's always nothing profound. But for Michael, relationship building is an essential topic to factor in if one wants to be an efficient connector. Following tha

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Jordan Gross, as we talk about the four distinct mindsets during uncertainties and how behaviors help people cultivate opportunities by navigating change. Jordan shares how development is better taught through parables and fables as someone who leverages the relatability of creative storytelling. From there, he also speaks on his new book “What Happens in Tomorrow World?” and its arcade-like approach to representing the future and life’s uncertainties. There’s a lot to take notes from in this episode, so make sure to tune in to Jordan.Personal Development Through Story Telling Instead of a prescriptive approach, Jordan uses a different manner to teaching development through storytelling. He shares that fun and adventure are a must in his life. Which is the reason why stories with zig-zaggy and non-linear flows always resonate with Jordan. For him, this particular nature of parables and fables, if used creatively, can also be a pot

In today's episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join Dawn Dickson-Akpoghene and me to talk about the experience of founding multiple businesses and her company, Popcom's technology that helps retailers skyrocket their businesses' product-market fit through brand intelligence. Growing up under business-oriented parents, she found it funny how entrepreneurship was never brought up or taught. And because the school system only teaches kids how to be workers, Dawn learned the hard way to rightly pave her path as an entrepreneur. Tune in and find out what else Dawn has to share about their technology of tomorrow in this episode!Going For It Anyway Before accumulating 20 years in entrepreneurship, Dawn had to start by learning her way in. Even though she was a daughter to parents who were into business. "It wasn't a word we talk about," she even said. Growing up in her family, they were taught to only focus on getting into college, finding a corporate job, and retire from that job. For Dawn, it wasn't enc

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Scott Shute, as we talk about what happiness and compassion are, the redefinition of success, and the importance of mindfulness in gaining insight into the body and mind. For Scott, compassion has proven to go a long way not only for people – but also for corporate structures. Just as much as he believes that success grows not only within matters of work and career, he believes that a successful company not only heed its shareholders but its stakeholders as well. As LinkedIn’s Head of Mindfulness and Compassion, allow your mind to open as Scott breaks down how compassion is an awareness of others, having the mindset of wishing the best for them, the courage to take action, and many more.Next Lesson: HappinessIn this episode, Scott explains to the listeners how happiness isn’t always all about what happens, as opposed to what others believe. Happiness is in the reaction – for Scott. Let’s take, for example, good and bad days. If you ke

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Doni Aldine, as we talk about the cross-cultural superpowers of empathy, vulnerability, and emotional intelligence in creating a sense of belonging. As someone who’s identified with 7 different cultures at the early age of 19, Doni explains the importance of adding emotional intelligence in cross-cultural communication and interaction. In this episode, she also shares about CULTURS Magazine and how the celebration of multicultural identities inculcates in everything they do through media, products, and experiences. Everything cross-culture can’t be explained any better than Doni Aldine herself, so make sure to tune in to everything she shares!Being Emotionally Intelligent Through Cultural Mobility For Doni, people of color and multi-cultures are usually those that have the most cultural mobility. It’d only make sense. Because they move from one place to another, they adapt to the environment and culture outside of their own, or th

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Michael Sharkey, as we talk about the power and importance of storytelling. Michael Sharkey is a podcaster, radio veteran, and coach with vast experience in the audio industry. Now, with the rise of podcast listenership, Michael helps entrepreneurs find their voices by confidently giving them the ability to create unique podcasts. Today, he shares his wealth of knowledge to develop the audience we want using the right tools we need. Also, if you are looking to start a podcast of your own, feel free to check out Michael’s gift in the links below!Sharing Your Uniqueness in Service of OthersPodcasting is not about finding a good microphone and talking into it for hours on end. It is about finding your voice and telling your story. But it is not easy to find your voice when you are just starting. Hence, if you plan on starting a podcast yourself, the best place to start is to know what you want to talk about—and I mean, not just anything u

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Caroline Boudreaux, as we talk about the need for vigilance and how to activate your inner giver. Caroline Boudreaux is a social entrepreneur and founder of Miracle Foundation, where for the past 20 years, they have empowered orphans and vulnerable children to reach their full potential. Miracle Foundation’s revolutionary Thrive Scale™ methodology is based on the UN Rights of the Child and leverages data and technology to create a family for every child in our lifetime. If you want to be part of the cause, check out their website down below!Activating Your Inner GiverWe all have different privileges, and we often don’t realize them until we’re exposed to other’s lack of access. With the pandemic, people have recognized these privileges and even shared access to those who have less to none. But, how can we make sure it won’t just be a trend? Instead, how can we make this a mainstay movement where we are active participants dismantling o

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Dean Foster, as we talk about how cultural awareness can improve global work interactions. Dean Foster is a speaker, presenter, and author, who has played a central role in developing cross-culture training and consulting. He is also the founder of DFA Intercultural Global Solutions and the former worldwide director of Berlitz Cross-Cultural. Currently, Dean serves as the executive strategic consultant of Dwellworks Intercultural, helping people develop global cultural agility and a skillset for working across borders. Now, if you want to be more culturally aware, feel free to get in touch with Dean Foster via his website down below!Cultural Awareness In Global Virtual WorkWith how global work has become, cultural awareness can significantly affect how we communicate with our clients and our team. After all, cultures often differ in communication styles. Some cultures would evade negatives and retreat into silence rather than elect a t

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Netta Jenkins, as we talk about how sharing our experiences can impact how we educate others. Netta is an acclaimed author, diversity and inclusion executive, and the co-founder of Dipper. This platform guides professionals of color to better workplaces one review at a time, whether good, bad, or indifferent. Today, she shares with us her journey, from her previous awakening from systematic oppression to her current actions dismantling it. If you want to participate in Netta’s collective, check out her company website in the links below!Collective Power And A Chance To SpeakFor a long time, people of color have often been afraid to share their experiences with systematic oppression, whether in the education system or the workplace. But with the recent movement in black media and the rise of anti-blackness, people started to create safe spaces to share their experiences. As a result, more are coming out, owning what is going on, and tak

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Karen Tiber Leland, as we talk about being the most productive with your time. Karen Tiber Leland is the founder of Sterling Marketing Group, a branding and marketing strategy and implementation firm specializing in personal, business and CEO branding. Karen has worked in more than 50 countries with clients such as: LinkedIn, Capital One, Google, Apple, Avis Car Rental, FedEx and Pfizer. She is the best-selling author of ten books, which have sold more than 400,000 copies. Her latest are The Brand Mapping Strategy: Design, Build and Accelerate Your Brand and No Nonsense Time Management: 50 Ways To Hack Your Time and Get Everything Done. Karen writes regularly for Inc.com, Entreprenuer.com and others.  Karen has been interviewed by The Today Show, CNN, Fox News and Oprah. Karen is a certified YPO speaker and has also presented at TEDx, Harvard, The American Marketing Association, Stanford and Yale.More info

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Dr. Kathleen Allen, as we talk about self-organizing towards purpose. Dr. Allen is a management consultant who has helped organizations employ nature-based methods to enhance employee engagement and strengthen leadership. Today, she shares with us her journey from working in higher education to starting her consulting business. Dr. Allen is also the author of the inspiring book Leading from the Roots, which is now available for digital download on her website. Feel free to check it out!Self-organizing Towards PurposeDr. Kathleen Allen believes that self-organization is the secret sauce for healthy organizations. For, in nature, everybody takes the initiative and self-organizes—tree, birds, and ants— everything evolves. But nature as a whole holds self-organization in a somewhat loose kind of container, which Dr. Allen would refer to as purpose. When nature has a purpose, it creates conditions conducive to life because its purpose is li

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Jenny Chang, as we talk about The Bridge Between Control and Surrender. Jenny is an entrepreneur of multiple experiential firms, a mind and soul set podcaster, a coach, and an intuitive writer. She loves sharing and guiding people to manifest and create their ideas. Jenny is also a growing influencer, especially on TikTok so, feel free to check her out!Control What You Can, But Equally Meet SurrenderingJenny Chang says that every entrepreneur and creator has this syndrome of wanting everything to be perfect. People want everything to be perfect to the point that they eventually don’t even start because they are stuck in the shadow of their plans instead of getting their product out there or getting connections, etc. She says that creators should change their perspective and quotes that “It’s not I wanna start this business, it’s the world that needs this business.” To intentionally create an experience that we want, Jenny says we

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Maayan Gordon, as we talk about changing your mindset and redefining your brand. Maayan is a glassblower, business owner, consultant, and influencer. She always loved sharing her life experiences creatively, and making short videos on TikTok was one of them. But it was not long until her experiences led her to viral success. Now, Maayan has over a decade of social media marketing experience, which helps her run her consulting agency Champion Empire. If you want to learn more about their media marketing services, feel free to check out their company website!About Maayan Gordon:Maayan Gordon is a four-time business owner, social media consultant, and Tiktok famous influencer. Her life has been an incredible but no less difficult journey, from college dropout to accomplished entrepreneur. She even rose from homelessness and survived a gas explosion of all things.But with over 2 million followers on Tiktok, Maayan found success in sharing

In today’s episode of the As Told by Nomads Podcast, join me and my guest, Julia Goodman, as we talk about how to build a ‘you’ brand. Julia is an actress, producer, director, and performance coach. She loves being able to help people accept themselves for who they are and find their self-confidence within that. Julia is also the author of the inspiring book You Brand: A Manual for Confidence. Feel free to check it out!Functional and Dysfunctional PerfectionismWe all have some degree of perfectionism in us. But perfectionism can either work for you or against you, and for Julia, it is the former. Julia Goodman likened functional and dysfunctional perfectionism to climbing mountains. According to her, dysfunctional perfectionism would be climbing one peak after the other with no breaks in between. Meanwhile, functional perfectionism would have more steps. The first step would be climbing the ‘mountain.’ But the next step would not be climbing another one soon after. Instead, it would be taking a break, recogni