WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 18-04-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 381: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part II /*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 18-04-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesHow prepared are you to confront your abilities and put yourself on the line in a way that generates a new revenue stream? Can you be enough, no matter the outcome? Edmond Huot answers those two questions and others.In our first conversation, we learned that Edmond’s early years on a farm in midwestern Canada shaped his imaginative storytelling over all things relating to aviation, architecture, and illustration. The beautiful part of turning 50 is revisiting your childhood, mining what lay dormant, and resurrecting a newfound passion you can bring alive today. Edmond is stepping out of the career lane he built to bring out his ‘inner illustrative artist.’ Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part I | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCASTEdmond has succeeded in New York as a creative director in an NYC-based company of 20+ advertising, design, and PR firms, working for clients like Honda, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears to focus his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation and built a practice area in the airline space with partner and longtime friend Peter Clark. They formed an aviation-focused design firm called Forward Studio, a division of their Forward Media company.It isn’t often that we can have friendships in our youth that evolve into business partnerships and entrepreneurial collaborators like Edmond found with his Canadian friend, Peter Clark. Through their collaboration and innovative thinking, they expanded their international airline branding and public relations studio work to include brand design, media, advertising, and special events. You can hear insights into why their partnership works.The new twist for Edmond is overcoming the internal challenges of becoming a professional illustrative artist, where their public relations and special events will include the backdrop of his artwork and eventually feature other artists’ works. He gives a special event his signature, like the sketches he makes on thank you cards. He adds a personal touch to everything he does.Edmond ran his concept by an aircraft manufacturer, who gave him his first green light. His description of how the special event is coming together is fascinating and a must-hear conversation if you are an entrepreneurial artist or anyone enthralled in making a living from your resources.Below are other aspects of our conversation, which feels like a conversation just between the two of us that you secretly get to listen to:The impact of deregulation on the airline industry and how Edmond brings back romance, glamour, and humanity through branding to the security-laid airline industry.Livery design is the outside decoration of an airplane. When does it make sense to redesign an airline brand that may include repainting 50 airplanes?Edmond and his team take customers through a six-touchpoint chart, a brand design journey.

/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 380: Stepping Out of the Linear Career Lane with Edmond Huot, Part I /*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 15-04-2024 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode Notes“As a kid growing up on a farm in midwestern Canada, Edmond Huot spent countless hours lost in imaginative storytelling, obsessing over all things relating to aviation, architecture, and illustration. His penchant for expressive design helped to lay a formative foundation for what would eventually blossom into a long career in brand advertising.” (Press Recent stories (forward-studio.co))Edmond emerged as a creative director in a NYC-based company of 20+ advertising, design, and PR firms, working for clients like Honda, TD Bank, Expedia, Singapore Airlines, Microsoft, and Kenneth Cole Fashions. In 2016, he shifted gears to focus his time and attention on revisiting his childhood passion for aviation and built a practice area in the airline space with a partner. Revisiting his childhood passion connected him with a longtime friend, Peter Clark, in a new way. Together, they formed an aviation-focused design firm partnership called Forward Studio. It isn’t often that we can have a childhood friendship evolve into a business partnership and entrepreneurial collaborator like Edmond found with his Canadian friend, Peter Clark. Through their collaboration and innovative thinking, they expanded their international airline branding and public relations studio work to include brand design, PR, media, advertising, and special events.Recently, it occurred to Edmond that he could explore another dimension of himself outside of Forward Studio. In our podcast planning session, he said, “Every advertising campaign begins with sketches. I draw the sketches.” He began wondering if there was a market for his aviation drawings.That curious question is where we find Edmond Huot in a creative space, stepping out of his linear career lane to examine the connections between art and aircraft. You will find out what he is learning.Edmond is finding the ‘newness’ in his life transition at age 50. He is the creative director and design professional, putting himself, as the artist, on the front line. I especially love the free-flowing conversation and how Edmond explains his creative process.He has a public relations project with a prominent aircraft manufacturer he cannot name, but he can tell us his idea and how he plans to integrate his art into a public event. It serves a dual purpose that satisfies his spiritual desires and emotional connection to his lifework.Edmond describes the difference between commercial art and how he challenges himself as an artist, which he explores: “Commercial art doesn’t have the same virtues. Art, for the sake of art, has a greater purpose. And I believe some of our clients want to be aligned with that and not something that comes across as commercial.”Edmond is taking the concept of “microcosms” and viewing it through the lens of airliners. He is fascinated with how untethered from the ground we are when we fly. The world is in motion and flux. “Art and aircraft have always inspired artists,

/*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 379: Embrace the New Year and seize the fresh opportunities it brings! /*! elementor - v3.18.0 - 20-12-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesCongratulations! 2024 is upon us. Let’s use it to influence positive change for the greater good by seizing the fresh opportunities this year brings us.I want to start by being grateful to you and the many opportunities you explored with your businesses last year. Take an inventory of your activities and accomplishments with those who helped you reach your hardest-won goals. It will increase your energy and those who helped you, validate your progress, and spur new aspirations for 2024.I am thankful for the United States' strong economy and the low unemployment rate. I am grateful that we have survived the hottest year in history. I am also thankful for the vulnerabilities exposed by the previous president of the United States. This has made us aware of the need to fix our executive privilege laws and apply them to all those who serve in government positions, including the highest office in the land.Gallup.com did The Year in Review: 2023 Most Notable Findings. The trends gave me insights into how we can improve our world. One positive trend I am grateful to see is that young adults are drinking less than previous generations. With the legalization of marijuana in more states, they might be smoking more weed instead, ha! The other trends about how our attitudes are shifting, like how employees feel their employers don’t care about their well-being, are troubling.According to the Gallup survey conducted in 2020, 47% of employees felt that their employers cared about their well-being. However, it seems that after the COVID-19 pandemic crisis was brought under control, employers became less concerned about their employees' well-being. In the latest survey conducted in 2023, only 22% of employees felt that their employers cared about their well-being. This information is essential as it reminds us to show our employees we care about them. We need to encourage open communication about our feelings with our staff by starting with the business owner, you.Gratitude for History MakersTaylor Swift and Greta Gerwig stunned the world last year. I am grateful for their creative genius and entrepreneurial spirit, which they used to break national and global records. In her historical 2023 Era’s Tour, Taylor Swift broke Elvis Presley’s long-standing record of 67 weeks for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart by a solo artist. Taylor Swift hit her 68th week at No. 1 by the end of 2023.Greta Gerwig made history by directing the “Barbie” movie, which had over $1 billion in ticket sales. That is a first for women directors. Go, Greta!!I recently re-watched the "Barbie" movie with my daughter, Olivia. Initially, I watched it once before with my husband, Matthew, in a movie theater, and it was fun to hear the audience's reaction. Watching it again sparked a conversation about our different upbringings. When Olivia was young, I passed on a Barbie doll that I called Ruth,

/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 378: Score Big in Business with These Home Run Strategies /*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesWho doesn't love hitting a home run in business? It's the feeling of pure excitement, accomplishment, and success all rolled into one. Achieving our goals and exceeding expectations is what every entrepreneur dreams of. Let's dive deeper into what it takes to hit that home run and make your business the best it can be.When you hit a home run in business, it opens the floodgates of opportunities. This was the case for one of my clients, who permitted me to share their story with you. The work began in July 2022, when their business was still finding its footing. I then met Mahomud Ali and Saido Ali Jama at an annual MEDA meeting. MEDA is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.The First Strategy for hitting home runs in business is to make sure you have someone you trust who has your best interest at heart to talk things through and help you clarify what you want.Before attending the MEDA annual meeting, I discussed things with my husband, Matthew Foli, as usual. To have someone you trust to talk things through and help you clarify what you want is priceless. It takes time to get to the heart of what truly matters to you, and having someone invested in your best interest to witness your journey and provide valuable feedback can empower both of you.I went to the annual MEDA meeting with clear intentions. I first wanted to learn more about how they are helping minority-owned businesses and how the organization is evolving. Additionally, I wanted to meet and mentor at least one business owner and connect with potential guest mentors for my podcast.After the meeting ended, I spoke with a few people before scanning the room one last time. As I was leaving, Mahomud and Saido introduced themselves, and Mahomud mentioned that he needed help with marketing. Though I am not a marketing expert, I have been involved in marketing since 1992 and offered to meet with them to see how I could help them achieve their goals. At the very least, I could provide them with valuable resources.Second Strategy: Understand that the Universe works on our behalf.Even when we feel alone, we are not. There is a spiritual realm of Guardian Angels and spirit guides waiting for us to invite them to help us. The Universe collaborates to bring our dreams into reality when we know what we want. That's why people say, "Be careful what you wish for." Or, more commonly now, "Be mindful of your thoughts and words."Many times, the Universe delivers beyond our wildest dreams in unexpected ways. What we achieve at Midwest Bakery fits my understanding of how the Universe pleasantly surprises us. If this isn't the case for you, refine what you think, say, or what you put out into the Universe. Let go of the outcomes and ensure your intentions are not from a place of fear or avoidance. The Universe keeps giving us the same lessons in different ways until we get the lesson.

/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 377: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part II /*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode Notes“At Beyond Carnism, we believe that people need and deserve to know the truth about carnism so they can make their food choices freely—because without awareness, thereisno free choice.” –Melanie Joy, Ph.D.Dr. Melanie Joy is an award-winning psychologist specializing in the psychology of oppression and social transformation in relationships. In our discussion, she lays out a roadmap for effective relational communication, emphasizing the advantages of self-awareness, mindfulness, and allyship over adversarial attitudes. By improving our relational skills, we can contribute to ending injustice and move beyond oppression in all forms.Dr. Melanie Joy's latest book, How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet, is an inspiring read that captures the wisdom she acquired from her travels to 35+ countries and the practical ways we can improve interpersonal, intrapersonal, and societal relationships. If you're committed to ending injustice, her book and this podcast conversation are a must-have for your reading and listening library.Melanie says we communicate “because we want to share our thoughts and feelings. Our inner selves.” Melanie also says, “The more we can communicate with people in a way that they feel safe with us, the more likely we are to set an atmosphere for our message to be heard as it was intended to be heard. The more we help other people feel safe with us and recognize that we are safe people to be in relationship with, the more likely we are to create more safety and connection in those interactions.”During our conversation, Melanie shared one of many vital insights – achieving mutual understanding is the ultimate goal of any healthy relationship. Our discussion was enlightening and affirming, and I appreciated Melanie's surprising gesture of gratitude toward the end.Last week, Melanie mentioned that shame and contempt can harm relationships. The antidote for both emotions is self-empathy and compassion towards others, which can help us share experiences and learn from one another.We often only express a part of our true feelings and desires. This leaves us with unaddressed needs and unfulfilled interactions. Suppose we view our relationships and ourselves as a continuous work in progress. In that case, we can have more enjoyable interactions and be open to giving and accepting second chances until we reach a mutual understanding. This allows both parties to get clear on what they want and view the relationship as one in progress (openness) and not necessarily an end result of perfection (closed-mindedness). We make mistakes all the time when we are learning new things. Why not give each other space to evolve and change?I learned a helpful communication technique called 'whole messages' from Melanie. It involves breaking down what we want to say into four parts: observations,

/*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}Episode 376: How to End Injustice Everywhere with Dr. Melanie Joy, Part I /*! elementor - v3.16.0 - 20-09-2023 */ .elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block} Episode NotesI am feeling reinvigorated after a six-week hiatus. I worked with more clients, wrote, and integrated some significant life events during this time. The break was well worth it, and I'm eager to bring more meaningful conversations and ideas to support the evolution of leadership that aims to improve our world.How to End Injustice Everywhere: Understanding the Common Denominator Driving all Injustices, to Create a Better World for Humans, Animals, and the Planet is now my go-to reference as we strive to end injustice. Dr. Melanie Joy has a unique ability to break down complex concepts into practical and easy-to-understand nuggets, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the systems we participate in on a daily basis. This knowledge can help us positively create a better world for all - humans, animals, and the planet. She is today’s guest mentor.“We don’t help people see different things. We help them see the same things, differently.” –Melanie Joy, Ph.D., and Other Pioneers Before HerThe work of Dr. Melanie Joy has had a significant impact on me, as indicated by the quote above. When we see the same things differently, we change our lives and how we lead.Since learning from her teachings, I have gained a new perspective on my dietary habits and transitioned to a plant-based diet, eliminating all meat, dairy, and egg products a few months before our first podcast conversation on June 7, 2021. Melanie has helped me comprehend the psychology and invisible systems that condition us to consume certain animals.I feel physically healthier and more in sync with my ethical values. It no longer makes sense to me to harm animals when I have committed to not hurting myself or others. Why should I consume something with eyes if I am devoted to treating all beings with kindness and respect? This is my viewpoint; it doesn’t have to be yours.My perspective has become clearer and more relational after reading Melanie's research, attending her webinars, and listening to our podcast conversations. Melanie is an exceptional teacher, mentor, entrepreneurial leader, and advocate. Her distinctive understanding of oppression and social transformation in relationships offers an explanation for the dysfunction in our world and provides actionable steps to address it.I greatly admire Dr. Melanie Joy and her brave efforts in leading a worldwide movement to awaken us from our oppressive state and guide us toward a more enlightened way of relating to ourselves, other humans, animals, and the planet. She embodies integrity and demonstrates respect for the dignity of every individual, and I encourage everyone to follow her example of practicing relational literacy.When I was introduced to Dr. Melanie Joy.My daughter Olivia heard Melanie on Simon Hill’s Plant Proof podcast a few years ago. After purchasing a few of Melanie’s books, like Getting Relationships Right, Beyond Beliefs, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows,

Episode 375: Respecting Yourself Episode NotesI find inspiration in artists and musicians, especially during times of growth. Playing piano and journaling helps me express my emotions and relieve stress. How do you find inspiration during times of transition?As I was getting ready to talk about the importance of self-respect, I decided to dance to the songs Respect by Aretha Franklin and Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers. You might too.Why is respecting oneself essential for leadership growth? Respect for ourselves and others is crucial for personal identity and healthy relating. It becomes even more critical as leaders because we set an example for those around us. If we don't have self-respect, we may allow others to cross our boundaries and take unnecessary risks. This can hinder our growth as leaders and damage our relationships.Respect has a give-n-take element to it that researchers refer to as reciprocity. We speak kindly to one another, and they are more inclined to talk kindly back. If we respond defensively in a conversation, the other person might match or elevate the intensity of the conversation.When we respect ourselves, we set boundaries, communicate our needs clearly, and let others know our expectations. If there is a conflict or misunderstanding, effort is put toward understanding each other and talking openly about what we are experiencing. This may involve apologizing and starting the conversation again with a clear mindset. Ultimately, respect is a crucial factor in personal identity and interpersonal relationships.How can business owners create a healthy work environment?A business owner must create a healthy work environment based on respect. This means open communication and setting boundaries, rules, and limits to demonstrate respect by showing people you care. Honoring one’s dignity and acting with integrity to foster emotional security and connection among employees is another way to express respect.Roles may be fluid in small businesses, so sharing power and empowering others to act positively is vital. I’ve learned that joining together to solve a problem works better than attacking each other. Think us against the problem.Encouraging a mentoring culture within a small team can lead to a more cohesive and interconnected working environment. This could mean teaching and learning each other's roles and responsibilities, creating opportunities to develop respect further. Ideas could be generated that improve teamwork and morale.In contrast, leading with a fixed mindset where roles and rules are unchanging can stifle innovation and respect, ultimately leading to an unhappy team and difficulty meeting individual needs. To overcome this, try being flexible and open to feedback. Create a mentoring environment to keep the focus on learning. Everyone can make mistakes and quickly learn while working to keep more revenue coming in than what is going out.The leaders I collaborate with are eager to learn how to foster healthy relationships in their workplaces and families, creating open systems. When change is necessary, I encourage my clients to take a step back, reflect, learn, and adapt.How I took a step back, reflected, learned, and adapted.Recently, I had three wake-up calls that prompted me to pause and reflect. I spent time exploring how I was not valuing myself and putting others in danger. I experienced a range of emotions as I had an epiphany. I identified the root cause of my need for speed and experimented with driving within the speed limit. Once I found the trigger for my adrenaline rush, I was able to confidently commit to respecting the rules of the road, thus respecting myself and not endangering others.The three wake-up calls started with a speeding ticket, followed by catching the flu, and then encountering a mishap with a web designer that almost resulted in the destruction of my wementor.com website. These events were disruptive enough to make me...

Episode 374: A Confluence of Events and 3 Wake-Up Calls Episode NotesSometimes we need more than one experience to raise awareness that a behavior change is required. A confluence of events shifted my perspective and primed me for three wake-up calls that led to reflection, integration, and behavior change.I first noticed a shift after reading The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring by Emily A. Francis and listening again to our two podcast conversations. I can’t say if it was a comment or the whole concept of continuing to live mindfully and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls, as Emily encourages, that prompted my perspective shifting. Or the massive leap of faith in moving their family to Malta to live the Medattearan life.My second perspective shift is the unexpected heart-opening with Letty in our lives. Letty, our seven-year-old miniature Schnauzer, came into our lives on March 7, 2023, and Olivia, our daughter, said I seemed happier with Letty in our lives. That comment stuck with me. Was I not happy before welcoming Letty into her retirement home, our home? She has had 50 puppies and made 50 families enormously happy.She brings joy to our family with just her presence. She is a love bug and comfortable in her skin. Being comfortable in our skin is what few humans learn. The rest of us hustle to belong through pleasing, perfecting, and performing, as we know from Brené Brown’s research on shame and resilience. Letty let us know she belonged with us by providing unconditional love; we shower her with it. A different kind of contentment is setting in.The third shift involved taking a 10-session Movement For Living Well class taught by Stephanie Ross-Russell that releases myofascial tissue using the movement disciplines of Yoga, Pilates, and Slings Myofascial Training®. We have one session left. This class improves skeletal movement, enhances blood flow, and has countless other benefits. I feel different physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. I think more grounded, resilient, and buoyant.This Movement For Living Well class has integrated asanas or yoga poses while having a pilates feel with small repetitious movements designed to target small muscles and nerve fibers. The goal is to move more freely. This integrated experience reminds me of one of the world’s yoga masters, B.K.S. Iyengar’s writings in his book Light on Life: The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom. “Yoga has a threefold impact on health. It keeps healthy people healthy, it inhibits the development of disease, and it aids recovery from ill health.” I definitely need that.“Health begins,” he writes, “with firmness in body, deepens to emotional stability, then leads to intellectual clarity, wisdom, and finally the unveiling of the soul.” Iyengar teaches us that there is more to us than physical health. There is moral health, mental health, intellectual health, and even the health of consciousness, the health of our conscience, and ultimately divine health. With the confluence of those events, my body, mind, and soul were primed for three wake-up calls that supported my behavior change. One never knows whom the next enlightened soul will cross our path. We need to be vigilant.My first wake-up call started on June 18, Father’s Day. Olivia, our 21-year-old daughter, had a nasty stomach flu leading up to Father’s Day. I was worried about her. Matthew and I decided to drive to Madison, where she lives and goes to school, and spend a few days with her.I drove down with my Waze App connected. The App lets us know where cars are by the side of the road and where cop cars are parked at differing locations along our Hwy—94 path. I’ve been known to be a fast driver. I love driving and the freedom I feel behind the wheel. No one is telling me what to do. No one is in my way for too long. I can always pass them. Only the weather, construction,

Episode 373: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring with Emily A. Francis EPISODE NOTES JUNETEENTH (Federal and Minnesota State Holiday)Before exploring Mediterranean Wisdom with Emily A. Francis, I acknowledge Juneteenth. This commemorates the day enslaved people of African descent were informed that they were free under the Emancipation Proclamation. From the Council For Minnesotans of African Heritage website, the earliest Juneteenth celebrations began in 1866 in local African Heritage church communities in the South. Us folks in the North, Midwest, and Western United States learned of Juneteenth during the Great Migration, where 6 million Black Americans were enticed to move north for work from about 1916-1970. In January 2021, President Joe Biden signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. In January of this year, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed a bill recognizing Juneteenth as a state holiday. Here is a link to 10 ideas to commemorate and celebrate JUNETEENTH. Mediterranean Wisdom with Emily E. Francis“Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead, let life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is better than the one to come?” – Rumi, a Sufi and Persian PoetAs Rumi describes above, Emily is letting the Mediterranean life live through her and shares her wisdom to help us savor our lives. The Mediterranean lifestyle is one of the world’s healthiest lifestyles and is known in the West through the famous Mediterranean Diet.Emily invites us to live simply, mindfully, and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls. I start this conversation with a quote from Emily’s fifth book, The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring. Emily is in her third year of living the Mediterranean lifestyle with her family on the European Island of Malta.She is keenly aware of the stark difference between Atlanta, Georgia, where we are in our American Democracy, and where she and her family live now. This makes it easier for her to highlight what we need to bring joy into our lives to develop a life worth savoring. A bit of salt made from the sun, the wind, and the sea brings out the flavor of what we eat. Honey secrets help us adapt to new locations. Making our own dressing engages our senses, and one can never learn too much about figs and other essentials like good people to make life worth savoring. This conversation is packed with nuggets of goodness.Emily dispels the American myth about the Mediterranean Diet with a definition she has observed from the Maltese people and now lives herself. She says the Mediterranean Diet misrepresents what the Mediterranean people live for food, fun, family, and faith. And they love sunshine. Those working in offices have snorkels, swimsuits, and other items tucked in their cars to weave play and enjoyment into their workday. They jump in the sea during lunch to enjoy the sunshine and then return to the office to finish the day’s work. Lots of ideas here.We learn the limitations of what Emily was taught about happiness and explore what it means to love someone unconditionally. “In Malta, people aren’t climbing all over each other and trying to keep up with the Joneses. They want you to succeed,” says Emily. She uses the analogy of lighting a candle and using it to light another’s candle, making the light shine brighter and more prominent as a collective. There isn’t a finite amount of love, joy, and happiness. The more joy and happiness we can bring, our lives and those around us will expand.In our first conversation, we got a taste of joy as Emily talked about her move from Atlanta, Georgia, to Malta and how that experience changed her and her family’s life. Unexpectedly, Emily found her soul in Malta when her husband Scott and their two daughters, Hannah, almost 11, and Ava, 9, moved. They took a mammoth leap of faith in 2020,

Episode 372: The Taste of Joy with Emily A. Francis Episode NotesI didn’t know I needed Emily’s book until I started reading The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, released earlier this year. During the Covid-19 pandemic, people moved to bigger houses and smaller towns, and some moved out of state. Emily A. Francis and her family flipped the script on their life story; Emily wrote a plot twist she didn’t see coming.They left their life in Atlanta, Georgia, creating a new life in Malta. Malta is part of the European Union and has been an independent country since 1964. Emily is sharing why her family moved to be part of one of the healthiest lifestyles in the world and invites us to live mindfully and naturally to nourish our bodies and souls.Emily is a highly sought-after speaker, radio host, columnist, bestselling author, and wellness expert with a vast array of education and experience. The Taste of Joy: Mediterranean Wisdom for a Life Worth Savoring, is her fifth book. Her knowledge of the body and the body/mind connection is extensive, and her commitment to total body, mind, and spirit wellness is her driving force. She has a few degrees and hosts the internet radio show “All About Healing” on Healthy Life Radio.In moving to Malta, Emily has become deeply involved with local food production on the island. You will hear about how capers are farmed, prickly pears, figs, and the best sea salt in the world. She writes a regular column titled “Emily in Malta” in the local tourism magazine Oh My Malta, where she interviews local farmers, fishermen, and chefs on single-ingredient farming and reveals the secrets to living a clean life. Home | Emily A Francis (emilyafrancisbooks.com).The two-lane cobblestone roads in Malta were built for horses and carriages in the 1800s, not for school buses. Emily gives an excellent description of how she gets around and how she seized the opportunity to create a new life from not having a work visa. In 2020, Scott, her husband, and two girls, Hannah and Ava, decided to move with their three or four pets, sight unseen, from southern Georgia to Malta.Before she and Scott moved their family to Malta in 2020, their life in southern Georgia became untenable with gun violence, active shooter drills in schools for her girls, the insanity in politics, and too many genetically modified food products that have long-term adverse effects on our bodies. Seeing a man with his four-year-old daughter in the grocery store carrying a gun, not in its holster, pushed her over the edge. A confluence of events came together with Scott’s IT work, and 30 employees and their families joined them to create a new life in Malta—a multigenerational family style of living. Emily boldly created a new life and discovered a new happiness she had never experienced.She says, “I worked on my mental health for years and was stuck in an environment that did not lend itself to health and wellness, kindness, and inclusivity. It was a super southern town. I wasn’t happy. I tried but ended up faking it.” Surprisingly, her new life came out of the misery of a global pandemic.Paul Parker, producer/director of Paul Parker Productions in Malta, wrote a beautiful preface explaining why people need to read Emily’s book. His reasoning ends with this statement, “Because everyone needs a bit of Joy in their life and an anchor to reel them back into reality and enjoy what’s around them every day.” Paul is referring to Emily as his anchor these past three years, giving him a new perspective that people who live in the Mediterranean take for granted.School for Emily and Scott’s children, who were six and nine at the time of the move to Malta, went from school shooter drills to a welcoming environment where teachers openly say, “I love you.” They kiss the children’s foreheads, calling them an endearing term, Poopas, meaning dolls,” Emily says. Children are reassured that they are part of a...