More Than Work

This week’s guest is Martin Henson, activist and Executive Director of the BMEN Foundation, an organization that is focused on providing community and support for issues specific to black men.

The founding of BMEN came out of looking at the way men in general were responding to MeToo and the need for a conversation that focused on the experience of black men and the subjects of consent, experiencing sexual harm themselves and holistically looking at the new landscape. 

BMEN has strived to be inclusive of all black men doing work to make sure that the conversation isn’t just around the heteronormative experiences but also work with the queer and transgender community. 

Martin earned his Master’s degree in counselling and did that as a practice before moving into activism. We discuss why he made that transition in this episode. For a while, he was an activist with Black Lives Matter and then moved on to practice more restorative justice.

Growing up in the church had a huge impact in how was taught to treat other people. His father was a pastor. He also went to community centres and his mom currently runs one. Stepdad taught him to be of service and also about black history. We talk about navigating his upbringing in the South and in churches to come together with his values now.

In this chat, we also discuss how self-care plays a big role for Martin as he engages in emotionally difficult work. Don’t miss this episode.

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Martin Henson is a world shaker. He has taken his skills as a counselor, his life experiences and his interest in justice and equality and brought them together into the organization he founded. His life is filled with leaning into difficult conversations for the greater good. In editing and listening back, I was again inspired by him and I am proud to share his message and grateful he shared it with me.

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Find Martin

Martin’s Website: https://www.martinhspeaks.com/

Martin’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tillwefree

Martin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-henson-06325b63/ 

BMEN Foundation: https://bmenfoundation.org/ 

BMEN Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMENFoundation

BMEN Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BMENfoundation/ 

BMEN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BMENFoundation/ 

BMEN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmen-foundation/ 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Black Lives Matter: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ 

Transgender Emergency Fund: https://transemergencyfund.org/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

Mentioned in this...

This week’s guest is writer, actor and comedian, Philip Simon.

Philip started out as an actor, attending the Guildford Theatre School before landing his first professional gig in a commercial. After a long run as Daddy Pig in a staged puppetry production of Peppa Pig, he decided it was time for a change and enrolled in a course at The Comedy School in London.

On the stage performing standup comedy is where Philip feels immense joy. We chat about his work and also the sudden impact of COVID lockdowns on performers. While unable to entertain audiences in person, the father of two acted as head teacher for his kids and also created “School’s Out Comedy Club”, an online comedy program for kids. Out of that came a kids’ comedy book and the opportunity to give back. Profits from book sales go to the charity FareShare which fights against hunger in the UK.

Philip also teaches sex education in Jewish schools and hosts the podcast “Jew Talkin’ To Me” with fellow stand up comic Rachel Creeger. He’ll be at Edinburgh Fringe this year with two shows so check out the details below. You’ll want to find out where to watch him after listening to this one!

Note from Rabiah (Host):

I have to admit, editing this one was not easy. Sometimes I spend a lot of time reflecting on what a guest said. Sometimes I even cry. In this case, I did a lot of laughing! I am always grateful to my guests for taking the time to share stories about themselves and to listeners for taking the time to hear them. For me, it was particularly important timing for me to listen to someone talk about loving comedy the way Philip does. It was also a lot of fun. Let me know what guests resonate with you or what joke you heard that you like best!

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Find Philip

Website: www.philipsimon.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PhilipsComedy/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/PhilipsComedy/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhilipsComedy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@philipscomedy

Jew Talkin’ To Me: https://pod.link/1519680527

Kids’ Joke Book: philipsimon.co.uk/shop

School’s Out Comedy Club at Edinburgh Fringe: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/school-s-out-comedy-club

Jew-o-Rama at Edinburgh Fringe: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/jew-o-rama

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Comedy School (Camden): https://thecomedyschool.com/

Joe Bor: http://www.joebor.co.uk/

FareShare: https://fareshare.org.uk/

Rachel Creeger: https://www.rachelcreeger.com/

Marcus Rashford: https://www.instagram.com/marcusrashford

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter:...

This week’s guest is Antonella Pisani, CEO and Founder of Eyeful Media.

Antonella started out as a web developer and moved into marketing roles working in e-commerce at ProFlowers, Guitar Center, JC Penney and Fossil gaining experience in all aspects of digital marketing.

After 20 years working at large companies, Antonella took a year off to travel to places she could have never gone to while working full-time. When she returned, she went into part-time consulting for Dallas-based Peacock Alley. From there, Eyeful Media was born!

Antonella spoke about founding her own marketing agency and very importantly about building the value of service into the culture. She is personally passionate about volunteerism and service, and has fully incorporated this into her company. This value is core to how people treat each other internally, interact with the client and interact with their community. 

Antonella also talks about her daily practice that helps her balance running a company, building her team and her path to leaving corporate life.

Listen and find out all about it!

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Fully disclosure, I have known Antonella for almost twenty years but I learned so much about her in this conversation. She was my boss for a while and prior to that a coworker and a friend. I was excited to talk to her about her company after following her on LinkedIn for years. It was a pleasure to learn more about her even after so long and I’m proud to share this with you. This one will definitely make you think about your own values and how to make them part of your daily life. At least I hope it will!

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Find Antonella

Eyeful Media: https://www.eyefulmedia.com/  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonellapisani/ 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Peacock Alley (https://www.peacockalley.com/)

Russell Lowery-Hart (https://www.linkedin.com/in/russellloweryhart)

Inc. 5000 List: https://www.inc.com/profile/Eyeful-Media 

The Go-Giver: https://amzn.to/3Nwzwma 

Brené Brown Dare to Lead Values List: https://brenebrown.com/resources/dare-to-lead-list-of-values/ 

Renata Sahagian Episode of More Than Work: https://www.rabiahsaid.com/podcast/episode-5-renata-sahagian

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

Mentioned in this episode:

Tragic SCOTUS Ruling on Roe v Wade

Help those impacted by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. https://www.podvoices.help/speak-up

This week’s guest is Jazeen Hollings, She is a writer, artist and as she puts it, future ghost, from Toronto, Canada. She is also a professional video editor by trade.

After starting out as a Philosophy major and then moving into graphic design as an undergraduate, Jazeen fell in to video editing. 

Now, she has taken a big step and decided to pursue writing as a career. Jazeen is entering the University of British Columbia’s MFA program for writing full-time in the Fall.

We chat quite a lot about making the choice to pursue a creative career and how sometimes it isn’t even a choice but necessary! For anyone who has been wondering if they should take the plunge and do the thing, Jazeen might who you need to listen to today (whatever day that is)!

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

I had a lot of fun speaking with Jazeen. I got a little self-conscious that we talked a bit more about comedy than I would with a guest normally but she was interested and asked me questions when I asked her questions. It was a real conversation. That’s what I wanted the podcast to be but I’ve forgotten that from time to time and go from chat mode to interview mode when I’m nervous. And yes, I do get nervous at these recordings. This week, enjoy the chat! 

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Find Jazeen

Website: https://www.jazeen.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazeen_____/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jazeenhollings

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Mentioned in this episode:

Margaret Atwood: http://margaretatwood.ca/ 

Alex Garland: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0307497/ 

Stephen King: https://stephenking.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

Mentioned in this episode:

Tragic SCOTUS Ruling on Roe v Wade

Help those impacted by the overturning of Roe v. Wade. https://www.podvoices.help/speak-up

This week’s guest is Andrew Alexseyeko. He is the founder of two tech companies and co-founder of KOLO which is an organization helping those on the front lines of the war in Ukraine.

Recently, Andrew fled his home in Kiev due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He spoke to me from a city in Western Ukraine where he is currently residing and working.

After spending some years as a product manager, Andrew founded the software development company Storypoint and software reseller and implementer Partnerway. The latter seeks to help businesses in Ukraine digitize and adopt technology.

When the war started, Andrew worked with peers and friends in the tech industry to build the Help Ukraine Win (https://helpukrainewin.org/) website. Then, they founded KOLO, a fund to assist the Ukrainian military purchase items they need such as vests, drones and night vision tools.

Through crisis, Andrew has found a different purpose and has also seen a change to the way a team works together too. It redefines the culture. To that end, Andrew has decided to take no profits from his businesses until the war is over and will be putting the funds into supporting Ukrainian refugees and the army.

Lastly, Andrew and his team are creating a platform for those in Ukraine looking for work in tech, to match with those hiring. The war has also taken a toll on how businesses operate inside the country and others interact with Ukraine from outside the country.

Note from Rabiah (Host):

For many of us outside Ukraine, we talk about being heartbroken and what is happening there, and outraged. There is very little most of us can do other than give money. I feel very humbled by Andrew and his story. It is a privilege to share it with my listeners. Both he and I would love to hear from you. The link to KOLO is below if you want to donate.

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Find Andrew

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexseyenko/

KOLO: https://www.koloua.com/en

Storypoint: https://storypoint.team/

Partnerway: https://partner-way.com/

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Mentioned in this episode:

Conductor: https://www.conductor.com/

Aura: https://www.aura.com/

Diana Tereshchenko: https://twitter.com/Ditereshchenko

Bohdan Kit: https://twitter.com/bohdan_kit

Martijn Verbove: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martijnverbove

Product Hunt: https://www.producthunt.com/

Andrew Ng: https://twitter.com/AndrewYNg

Veronika Didusenko: https://www.rabiahsaid.com/podcast/s5e9-veronika-didusenko

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Douglas E. Noll, lawyer turned peacemaker. 

Doug was raised in California and left the state to go to Dartmouth where he earned an undergraduate degree in English. In 1974 he returned to California entered law school, eventually graduating with honors.

Doug spent 22 years working as a civil trial lawyer, trying over 250 cases during that time! He realized in that time that though the work was interesting, his heart wasn’t in it.

Concurrently, Doug started studying martial arts and earned a 2nd degree blackbelt in one discipline before moving to Tai Chi at the advice of his teacher. As he explains, it was the teachings of Tai Chi that led him to the epiphany that he needed to do something else…something that would make an impact.

You’ll hear more in the episode but at nearly 50 years old, Doug quit his job and started a Master's program in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies offered at Fresno Pacific University which he completed. He also became a certified energy healer (panic healing) and arhatic yoga practitioner.

Along with Laurel Kaufer, he founded Prison of Peace, a wonderful organisation bringing conflict resolution to the incarcerated as well as others. Hear about it in the episode. Additionally, he is a mediator for private conflicts. 

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

I’ve been really lucky to find guests who exemplify what this podcast is really about. Doug is definitely one of those. I really loved the synchronicity that took place in Doug’s story with him asking a question and then receiving an answer that created a whole new path. I won’t say more. I’ll let Doug do the talking. Enjoy!

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Find Doug

Website: https://dougnoll.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougnoll/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasNoll 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/dougnoll 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtAHXdBT1Y0Pl7SGrM_HcFw 

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/b990204361f85f4a8ac1a25a9a0920

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Mentioned in this episode:

Fresno Pacific University: https://www.fresno.edu/graduate/program/peacemaking-and-conflict-studies-ma 

Pranic Healing: https://www.worldpranichealing.com/

John Allman (Caltech): https://www.bbe.caltech.edu/people/john-m-allman

Matthew Lieberman (UCLA): https://www.psych.ucla.edu/faculty-page/lieber/

Laurel Kaufer: http://www.kaufermediation.com/ 

ACEs Study: https://acestoohigh.com/

Falling Upward by Richard Rohr: https://amzn.to/3srdZ68 

This week’s guest is Genesis Amaris Kemp. She’s a visionary life coach, motivational speaker and podcast founder.

Genesis started out working in hospitals and intended to go to medical school. But, she ended up spending over a decade in the oil and gas industry. Her first role was as an imaging clerk (scanning papers all day!). Through curiosity, networking and learning, Genesis ended up in project and program management. In fact, she did it again when she went to work for a Fortune 500 company showing what real grit and humility is needed to start anew.

In late 2020, Genesis lost her job just one week following her father’s death. She took the opportunity to self-reflect and ultimately realized what her gifts are and how she could monetise them. In doing so she became an entrepreneur. 

In May 2020, Genesis’ book, “Chocolate Drop in Corporate America: From the Pit to the Palace” was published. You’ll hear about the inspirational read about overcoming systemic racism in the workplace and climbing the corporate ladder. 

Genesis also hosts the GEMS podcast. Episodes are a mis of solo episodes and coffee chat style conversations with guests to educate, inspire, and motivate listeners. DEIB is also a theme of the show.

Get to know Genesis in this episode!

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Genesis and I chatted a while ago but due to some theme months and a backlog, I did not get this one edited until now. When it is a while between a chat and an edit, I feel like I’m experiencing the conversation again for the first time and this was the right time to hear her story again. We dig into going through job and life changes and also chat about diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I hope you’ll enjoy and learn from this one.

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Find Genesis

Website: https://beacons.ai/genesisamariskemp

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GenesisAKemp 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genesisamariskemp/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/genesisamaris.kemp.3/ 

Chocolate Drop in Corporate America: From the Pit to the Palace: https://amzn.to/3LKZq51

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Mentioned in this episode:

The Unexpected Journey: Fire and Gold by Dedrick Moone: https://amzn.to/3FcqtUh 

Calendly: calendly.com/ 

Tiffany Haddish: https://twitter.com/TiffanyHaddish 

Melissa McCarthy: https://twitter.com/melissamccarthy 

Rabiah’s appearance on GEMS Podcast: pod.link/1562876878/episode/

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Josh Young, Chief of Staff at New Story Charity.

New Story is focused on looking for innovative ways to solve the global housing crisis and homelessness. New Story Charity is the first such organisation to be part of Y Combinator. In 2018, they built their first 3D printed home and since then have built over 3000 homes in 4 countries. Looking for a place to give? 100% of donations go to the actual building of homes.

During college, Josh was a two sport Division 1 athlete and double-majored. He went to work on Wall Street right after graduating and you’ll hear why he moved on from that career and went to work on the State Senate campaign for Barry Finegold before getting accepted to Harvard for grad school and eventually taking his role at New Story Charity.

Losing his dad at a young age affected how Josh has lived his life and the role he has played in his family. We talk a bit about that too. He shares advice that I think a lot of people need to hear during what has been a time of transition. Listen up! 

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

Josh is one of the kindest and most centred guests I have had on the podcast so far. I have so much respect for the discipline and though he has about how he lives his life and how he has pursued his path. Let me know what you think and if you feel like it, send a donation to New Story Charity. I did. 

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Find Josh

New Story Charity: https://newstorycharity.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshua_lc_young

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/joshua_lc_young

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Mentioned in this episode:

Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/ 

Barry Finegold: https://www.barryfinegold.com/ 

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Cathy Nesbitt, Worm Advocate and Laugher Ambassador based in Ontario, Canada. 

What is a Worm Advocate? Someone who sees worms as useful in the fight against climate change for one! Cathy is actually the founder Cathy's Crawly Composters which is a worm-based composting business. In fact, she is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her company. 

New to composting or not sure what it is? Listen up because we talk about that in the first 5 minutes.

Did you know worms have no eyes? Cathy mentions this and other interesting facts about them. 

Before starting her business, Cathy was a social worker, focused on adults living with challenges. She continues to serve that community through education as part of her business.

Cathy also does laughter yoga. It is part of her personal wellness practice but also something she shares. She holds her own online group you can join, and she teaches a special needs class. Laughter yoga is intentional laughing. We chat about the origin of the practice in 1995 and how Cathy has incorporated this into her life and work. In 2016, she got trained as a teacher.

Have a listen and get to know Cathy!

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

I was skeptical about laughter yoga before this chat but in hearing about it from Cathy, I get it. Admittedly, I haven’t practiced it yet though I think I do a form of it when I rewatch old Robin Williams clips…

This chat reminded me that I am often skeptical of things I hear about but when I dig deeper and remove my own ignorance, people are doing really cool things that work for them. It’s not much different than the sentiment of the adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In editing, I always reflect on my conversations even more and Cathy made me think a lot about living with intention and purpose and being brave enough to pivot to fulfil that purpose when what we’re doing initially is no longer service us. I hope you get something out of the chat too.

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Find Cathy

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

YouTube

TedX Talk

Cathy's Laughter Yoga Club 

Cathy's Sprouts 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Laughter Yoga

Dr. Norman Cousins 

Greta Thunberg

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)gmail.com!

This week’s guest is Kevin G. Chapman, Assistant General Counsel at Dow Jones and Company, and crime fiction author. 

Kevin is a labor and employment lawyer who started out in law firms. But, for the last 27 years he has been in-house counsel having started out at The Wall Street Journal. He has resided in Central New Jersey for that long too. 

As a lawyer, Kevin writes a LOT. But it was when he got laid off from a firm 5 years after finishing law school that he started writing his first fiction novel, Identity Crisis which he published via a small publishing house. His next book took 10 years to complete and was self-published.  

We get into how he approached writing differently when he decided to write for the purpose of selling his work starting with his first crime fiction novel, Righteous Assassin. Also, how he went about learning to market his novels and the business of self-publishing. Kevin has written an entire crime fiction series focused around the main character he created, NYPD Detective Mike Stoneman. One of those novels, Lethal Voyage, was even a Kindle Book Award finalist in 2021!

Hear about what Kevin is working on next and the communities he is a part of both as an independent author and as in-house counsel. He also plays tournament poker! 

Note from Rabiah (Host): 

I have not read Kevin’s books yet but I’m very curious about Mike Stoneman so that’ll happen soon. I intended too but time just didn’t allow it. One thing that came up in our chat was that Kevin is a member of an author community. I have learned so much about how important community is and it is more prominent in my life than it used to be. It has been a theme of this podcast too. I’d love to hear what communities listeners are a part of.

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Find Kevin

Website: kevingchapman.com

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MikeStoneman/posts/865325540547293/ 

Mike Stoneman Box Set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SS8XL44 

Lethal Voyage, winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award: http://getbook.at/lethal_voyage 

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Mentioned in this episode:

Dow Jones: https://www.dowjones.com/ 

Xlibris Publishing: https://www.xlibris.com/en 

Jencey Keeton Episode of More Than Work: https://www.rabiahsaid.com/podcast/s5e8-jencey-keeton 

Chanticleer Book Reviews: https://www.chantireviews.com/ 

In the intro:

Yard Act: https://yardactors.com/

Ann Liu Cannon: https://linktr.ee/annliu

True Strays: https://www.truestrays.com/

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More than Work Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @morethanworkpod Please review and follow anywhere you get podcasts. Thank you for listening. Have feedback? Email morethanworkpod(at)