The Grounded Canary
Beth Shaha, Certified Life Coach and Founder of The Grounded Canary shares with us her journey of how a mission trip to Romania changed her forever and led her down a path of leaving her career in the higher education industry to becoming a certified life coach. Beth provides great insights on how we can start being more curious about who we are and show compassion versus judgement. She encourages us to think about our internal narratives and change our perspective on how we approach our lives.
Guests Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.thegroundedcanary.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-shaha-4aa96095/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegroundedcanary/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegroundedcanary/
Email: beth@thegroundedcanary.com
Key Takeaways:
0:00 Intro
0:55 Beth talks about the term wayfinder, what it means and the kind of things a wayfinder does
2:54 Beth shares her journey of where she came from, why she decided to pivot and build her company Grounded Canary and become a certified life coach
11:18 Beth also shares advice to people who haven’t found their purpose yet and those that have the purpose but are afraid to make the transition
14:02 Beth talks about how people put shackles on themselves without even noticing, what they need to do to realize the limiting beliefs they have and how they can change that
18:21 Beth talks about why people should be compassionate about themselves rather than be judgmental towards themselves
21:58 Beth talks about ways to realize that you’re in a bad situation, how to not beat yourself about it, and how to be curious to know what you can do to get out of it
25:58 Beth shares a technique you can use to help be able to pull yourself out of a situation that you are in and look at it from a different angle to help you solve the problem
29:32 Beth shares some resources that people can learn from more about some tools and tricks to use to better themselves
Books Mentioned:
The Work by Byron Katie: https://thework.com/
Walking Back The Cat: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173806.Walking_Back_the_Cat
Shows Mentioned:
Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/
Positive Psychology: https://positivepsychology.com/
Quotes Mentioned:
“Where you are is a great place to start.”
“The power of story is inevitable.”
“Fear screams, intuition whispers.”
“Basic pausing and noticing is the first step towards finding your way and finding your purpose.”
“Limiting beliefs could be about anything and they’re beliefs that keep you shackled.”
“Knowledge is power, knowledge is truth, and knowledge helps us to see.”
“If we use our now to inform our then, it’s freedom.”
“Create a space that allows you to look at a situation rather than be in it.”
“An emotion only lasts 90 seconds, the only reason it would last longer is if you continue to re-engage.”
Understanding What’s Happening on the Other Side of the Keyboard
“During the pandemic, you kind of had to face your mind.” COVID-19 was certainly a strain on all of us in one way or another and forced us to reckon with the importance of mental health. This re-evaluation was particularly prevalent in the transitioning workplace. Rayne Steinberg, Co-Founder and CEO of digital asset investment firm Arca, joins Jenn to talk about his own mental fitness journey as well as his team’s approach to fostering a company culture that emphasizes clear communication, ownership and an open awareness of the evolving ways to support employee wellness.
:49 Rayne shares a little bit of background about himself and his business and family
1:50 Rayne’s definition of “mental fitness” in relation to ARCA
3:44 Rayne discusses that being part of a well-known family sometimes affected his mental wellness
7:26 Rayne explains how he implements mental fitness as a leader, how mass media and popular sentiment skew the realities of leadership, and how a public family controversy helped him to deal with internal struggles
12:57 Rayne discusses that his team has strategized and evolved with the society and the shift to promoting mental health in the workplace
15:07 Rayne outlines his company’s culture, where people feel like owners
17:55 Jenn and Rayne stress the importance of and value of clear communication at the workplace
20:24 At Arca, Slack and email are limited to informal messages, fostering clearer conversations
22:57 Rayne gives his view of the future of mental fitness/mental wellness in the workplace and details the successful company culture at ARCA
26:23 Rayne shares how taking distance from work to let the mind regenerate benefits his company
31:20 Rayne shares encouraging words for the masses, “its okay”
Books Mentioned:
Marc Randolph – That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QLL7N7D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BSQWVM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1
Quotes Mentioned:
“Mental wellness is really a very pliable, healthy mind, that helps you deal with a very changeable world. A well balanced healthy mind is able to cope with adversity.”
“Flexibility and optionality are super important in this world and you can’t do that without a healthy mind”.
“During the pandemic, you kind of had to face your mind”.
“Everyone is having their own human experience”
“..In an increasingly optic-driven society, where we have a lot of exposure to success stories. We only get to hear the books of those who made it, so there’s a real survivorship bias on these things. People don’t realize how much good fortune and luck goes into these things. ”
“With the way I was raised in this very public way, one of the most helpful things is that we had a disintegration of that, very publicly as well, and that was no longer a pressure that was on you… I was forced to face what was going on internally and have people see very bad things going on, and it wasn’t fatal.”
“Be comfortable with things that weren’t as great, but not letting them be paralyzing.”
“Skills and aptitude’s are different, not necessarily better than the other”
“It hard to understand how much human interaction goes on in the workplace…. It’s hard to quantify, but you feel it in its absence.”
“The less context you have in interactions, the more you’re able to fill in on your own”
“You have to understand what’s going on, on the other side of that keyboard”
“Communication is a two way street. Whatever you say doesn’t matter, you’re looking to communicate something on the receiving end.”
“This virtual world has made the labor pool fluid and almost infinite…. But there’s also an incredibly broad pool for the applicant…”
“Find something that works for you, that you see the good results in, and be honest with it.”
WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Randy Grimes
Once a star center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Randy Grimes has an incredible life story to share involving his struggles with addiction and how he is now bridging the gap between other professional athletes and their mental fitness.
– Randy discusses how he got involved and fell in love with the game of football: 2:43
– Randy walks the audience through his journey with addiction: 6:47
– Randy speaks on the “suffer in silence” mentality and the full-year effort of being a pro athlete: 14:06
– Randy shares the message he’d give to an aspiring athlete on the verge of professionalism: 19:02
– Randy discusses faith and how his faith played a part in his career: 28:40
– Randy expands on the effects of CTE and how we should be taking care of our brain: 33:28
– Randy discusses the need for professionals in mental health to be present and for it to be destigmatized for athletes: 37:18
– Randy defines mental fitness: 45:47
– Randy shares what a text to his younger self would look like: 50:33
– Randy discusses the need for consistency in a program in order to build a winning culture: 53:39
– Randy discusses his non-profit – Pro Athletes in Recovery: 1:01:16
Life After The Military - Tony Crescenzo
In this episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with former Marine, Tony Crescenzo. Tony currently serves as the CEO of Intelligent Waves and is highly engaged with the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Veteran Employment Initiative which has helped over 18,000 veterans find employment in the last eight years. Tony provides sage advice, guidance, and entertaining stories about his time in the Marines, providing leadership in corporate America, and how he wrestled with and strengthened his own mental fitness.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonycrescenzo/
Intelligent Waves: https://intelligentwaves.com/
Northern Virginia Technology Council Veterans Employment Initiative: https://www.nvtc.org/NVTC/Insights/Veterans_Employment_Initiative.aspx
0:00 Lee opens the podcast
00:42 Lee introduces Tony Crescenzo
02:15 Tony describes how his service in the Marine Corps shaped him
29:34 Tony shares his experiences and stories about transition from the military and between several corporate positions
43:19 Tony talks about the need for business leaders to teach, coach, and mentor their teammates
50:06 Tony describes his experience as a strategy consultant with Achievance, LLC
59:50 Tony talks about leadership and the four pillars of his leadership philosophy
1:03:28 Tony talks extensively about the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Veterans Employment Initiative which has put over 18,000 veterans to work in 8 years
1:12:43 Tony provides insights for business owners into the value of hiring veterans
1:25:22 Lee gives Tony his book titles
1:33:05 Tony defines what mental fitness means to him, personal challenges he had and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness
1:51:21 Lee closes out the episode
WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Eric Nystrom
This week’s guest was the 10th overall draft pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and made his debut three years later with the Calgary Flames. Eric Nystrom joins the show this week to discuss his path to success and the lessons he learned that have remained with him throughout his life.
If you’re planning your own rise to success, Eric’s advice is exactly what you need to hear.
How do you map out a path for success? Once you’ve achieved that success how will you deal with adversity and the challenges that arise from greatness?
This week’s guest, Eric Nystrom, walks us through his path through hockey to the NHL and through his path of education and leadership which led him to becoming a successful entrepreneur after his playing career.
Eric was a four year letterman at University of Michigan before starting an 11 year NHL career having spent time with Calgary, Minnesota, Dallas and Nashville. Eric has also represented the United States in the World Junior Championship and World Championship. He’s very philanthropic and a leader on and off the ice, and we are pleased to have him here today.
Eric discusses the journey of playing multiple sports as a young athlete and shares advice to others on their own path to greatness: 1:39
Eric talks about the importance of bringing balance to a locker room: 10:36
Eric discusses being in the zone: 15:35
Eric talks about the need for positive locker room atmosphere even at the NHL level: 20:45
Eric talks about the importance of roles and communication on a team: 28:13
Eric defines mental fitness: 1:01:40
Life After The Military - David Tenenbaum
In this episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with former Air Force Officer, David Tenenbaum. David currently serves as a Director for Heroes Linked, a nonprofit that connects those serving, veterans, their spouses and Gold Star families with a national network of volunteer Advisors for professional and career development, as well as educational, employment and VSO resources. David is also the Founder and CEO of Honor Media, a nonprofit media production organization and publishing platform for and about the veteran community.
Heroes Linked: https://heroeslinked.org/
Honor Media: https://www.honormedia.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidtenenbaumla/
0:00 Lee opens the podcast
00:40 Lee introduces David Tenenbaum
2:30 David shares how his military career impacted him
8:53 David describes his experiences and challenges with transitioning from the military
25:44 David talks about his experience working with a Department of the Veteran Affairs Federal Advisory Board located in Los Angeles, California
31:09 David talks about veteran suicide and his personal experience with suicide
32:00 David shares his perspective about the challenges that non-profit Veteran Service Organizations face
41:16 Lee tells a story about his personal perception on suicide changed
47:00 David talks about how he helped veterans and their families when working with Bunker Labs to foster entrepreneurship
51:57 David describes his work with HeroesLinked – a veteran version of LinkedIn
1:03:41 David talks about his vision behind his non-profit organization, Honor Media
1:09:34 Lee gives David his book title
1:11:39 David talks with vulnerability about his challenges with mental fitness and what he does to strengthen his own mental fitness
1:21:18 Lee closes out the episode
WIN: Championship Traits For Life - Phil DeCapito
Sometimes adversity isn’t the failures we face, but the mountains themselves that we climb on the rise to the top. This week, University of Pittsburgh’s Coach DeCapito, shares how young athletes and budding coaches can use the determination and GRIT developed on the field in order to take their careers to the next level.
Phil DeCapito enters his third season as Pitt’s defensive quality control assistant and his sixth overall with the Panthers. He has been an invaluable contributor to a defensive unit that has ranked among the nation’s very best over the past two seasons.DeCapito initially served on Pat Narduzzi’s staff from 2015-17 as a defensive graduate assistant. He served in that same capacity during the 2018 season at Memphis, which finished as the American Athletic Conference (AAC) runner-up and earned a Birmingham Bowl berth.
Following the 2018 season, he was named the defensive coordinator at Lake Erie College, an NCAA Division II program in Ohio, before ultimately reuniting with Narduzzi at Pitt.
A native of Warren, Ohio, Phil was a standout football player and wrestler at Warren John F. Kennedy Catholic School, earning first-team All-Trumbull County honors as a senior lineman. He went on to play four seasons at Emory & Henry College, earning his bachelor’s degree in education and physical education.
– Phil talks about how he got into coaching – 2:03
– Phil discusses recruiting and the qualities he’s looking for in players – 4:26
– Phil talks about the importance of mentorship and teamwork and how it impacts the season – 23:15
– Phil explains the mentorship he had during his journey to coaching D1 and the experience he built up along the way 26:21
– Phil talks about his bond with Las Vegas Raider Jimmy Morrissey – 33:07
– Phil discusses Division 3 athletes and the love of the game that separates them from other athletes – 37:53
– Phil talks about some of the adversity he sees as a coach and the anchors he holds onto to overcome them – 48:12
– Phil shares his definition of mental fitness – 58:28
Life After The Military - James Jordan
In this episode of Life After the Military, Lee and Howie talk with US Army Command Sergeant Major (Retired) James Jordan. James served for over 31 years as a noncommissioned officer and leader in the US Army Signal Corps. He currently serves as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for the Charlotte Hornets. James shares insights about transitioning from the military; the need to develop and maintain strong effective teams in a corporate setting; and his commitment to teach, coach, mentor, and give back to those around him.
James’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-jordan-90010743/
0:00 Lee opens the podcast
0:37 Lee introduces James Jordan
2:35 James talks about his military career and how his experiences shaped him
12:20 James talks about how he prepared for and executed his transition from the military and his position with EPS as a government contractor
28:17 James describes how he applied his military leadership experience to develop a strong team in a corporate setting
33:43 Lee and Howie provides tips to veterans who are interviewing for a job
37:50 James describes the importance of having a plan when transitioning from the military
42:43 James talks about his experience running operations for the Charlotte Spectrum Center and the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets
49:27 Howie talks about the quality of James’ family
53:42 Howie and James talk about Howie’s parting gifts to the 35th Signal Brigade – the Lion Brigade
1:00:24 James talks about how he teaches, coaches, mentors and gives back to others around him
1:08:57 Lee gives James his book title
1:09:50 James defines mental fitness and shares ways that he strengthens his own mental fitness
1:18:07 Lee closes out the episode
Stripping Down the Façade & Leading with Honesty
“Up at the top levels, they have to set the example to make the changes, because if it’s in disarray up there, it’s going to trickle all the way down to the bottom.“ Matt Davis, the president of Driftwood Leadership LLC, and Eric Hipple, an outreach specialist, author, speaker and NFL alumni, join to discuss how focusing on mental fitness impacts leadership strategies, handling life’s transitions, the benefit of asking someone what is going on three times and the struggle around perception of resilience. They also share how they began working together and the priceless lessons they have exchanged.
0:00 Intro
1:14 Matt shares a little bit of background about himself and what he does and why he decided to do what he does
2:41 Eric also shares a little bit of background about himself, what he does and why he loves doing what he does
5:12 Matt and Eric talk about how they transitioned from working in major institutions to consulting and entrepreneurial work they are doing now and how it’s impacting their work
10:31 Eric talks about the term mental fitness and what comes to his mind when he hears that term and the importance of always talking about mental fitness
13:41 Matt also talks about mental fitness and being aware of the importance of mental strength
16:22 Matt and Eric talk about things that you can do when things happen in your life that are negative to help you identify your identity and get back to being mentally fit
22:39 Matt talks about how mental fitness plays into his work in leadership and advocacy
24:57 Eric also talks about how mental fitness plays into his work with the Center for Neurological Studies Foundation and the Mental Health of Western Michigan Foundation
28:48 Matt talks about the importance of always expressing your emotions and the impact it can make on you and the society
31:52 Eric talks about his book called Real Men Do Cry, what it’s all about and what happened in his life that inspired him to write the book
33:51 Matt talks about the lessons that he learned from reading Eric’s book and also talks about the importance of being aware that it is okay to be vulnerable
38:15 Matt and Eric share their advice to people who are hesitant of getting their own therapist to help them with their mental wellness and other things that you can do
45:32 Eric shares his last word about the importance of being a beacon of hope to others which helps them to also be in a state of well-being
47:15 Matt also shares his last words about why people need to show their emotions because all people go through mental stress sometimes
Books Mentioned:
Real Men Do Cry: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Men-Cry-Eric-Hipple/dp/0981621929/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389838777&sr=8-1&keywords=real+men+do+cry
Shows Mentioned:
NFL: http://www.nfl.com/
Detroit Lions: https://www.detroitlions.com/
After the Impact Fund: http://www.aftertheimpact.org/
Saratoga Warhorse: https://www.saratogawarhorse.org/
Quotes Mentioned:
“You cannot be at the top of your game in the business world if you’re not mentally fit.”
“You have to have both physical fitness and mental fitness, without one, you can’t have the other and vice versa.”
“Transition is what happens to you because of things that happen.”
“Anything that stops you from being your best self is an impediment to realizing your goals and your dreams.”
“Stress is part of everyday life.”
“When you get knocked down, you just get back up again.”
“You don’t need to be a jerk to be a good leader and you can be vulnerable and you can show emotions.”
“Life is full of firsts.”
“Don’t be afraid to be first.”
“If you are in a whole dark place right now, please know there’s a way to work your way out of it.”
“Be hopeful, not fearful, be hopeful and realize that tomorrow’s another day that you wake up and take a breath.”
“Focus on the here and now and what can you do right now to make your life better as days come and go.”
Guests Social Media Links:
Matt Davis
Website: https://mattdavisleadership.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davis-56b015154/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattdavisleadership/
Eric Hipple
Website: https://www.erichipple.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehipple17/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.hipple
WIN: Championship Traits For Life - John Moloney, Chief Commercial Officer at Bose
Iron sharpens iron. It’s a common phrase, but one that is not focused on enough as a tool for winning. This week’s guest, John Moloney, the Chief Commercial Officer for the automotive division at Bose, defines this statement in addition to giving us his perspectives of the importance of work, leadership, and mentorship – all which can be applied to sports and life.
John is an alumnus of Central Michigan University where he received his bachelor’s in Marketing and Finance and received his MBA from the University of Detroit in International Business.
As we said, John is currently a leader at Bose and also previously held executive positions with Michelin, Ricardo, and Bosch. John has also been involved in many entrepreneurial endeavors, notably as the chairman for FilterGrade LLC and as an advisor at MIT’s Entrepreneurship program and venture mentoring service.
Word on the street is that when John isn’t working or with his family, he can be found on the golf course or riding his bike.
John is an expert at enhancing a brand’s value, and we value that he joined our show.
John tells us about his rise to a business power player: 2:38
John explores the importance of embracing work: 6:53
John explains why he thinks continuing improvement is so important: 10:01
John gives us his personal and professional views on mentorship: 13:06
John tells us a story about one of his mentors: 20:01
John explains what drives his competitive nature and the importance of competition both physically and mentally: 22:25
John talks about his approach to teamwork as a leader at BOSE and how he inspires maximum performance from his team: 27:27
John shares a story to depict what leadership means to him and recounts a time when he bounced back from failure: 31:51
