Paul Zelizer , 53, is one of the first global business coaches to focus on the needs of conscious entrepreneurs and social impact businesses . He is the former Director of Social Media for Wisdom 2.0 , one of the premier mindfulness brands in the world. In 2017, Paul founded the Awarepreneurs community when he saw the need for more honest conversations about combining conscious business practices with the dynamism of the social impact movement. Paul is also host of the popular Awarepreneurs Podc...
Sep 23, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Ande Lyons is a 4x Business Founder, Startup champion, Podcaster, the radiant Live Stream Host of Startup Life , and Co-host of Boston’s Founders Live Pitch event. A seasoned Startup pro , Ande is committed to amplifying diverse Founder’s voices. She is passionate about helping Startup founders of any age maximize the joy and minimize the heartaches of their Startup journey. Why launching a FOURTH ACT startup is a brilliant idea. How I fully embraced being a public personality. What I know about...
Sep 16, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Cassis Birgit Staudt is a German musician, composer, performer and teacher . Cassis won a Palm d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival for her work as a producer for filmmaker Jim Jarmusch , and she was the muse behind the Oscar-nominated film Ferry Tales . Cassis has composed symphonies as well as film scores for many award-winning films . Her life spans both New York and Berlin, in pursuit of a lifestyle that integrates all of her passions and talents. What happens when you have an inner climate chan...
Sep 09, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Miami-based Bruce Turkel, 64, is a global branding expert , riveting Keynote Speaker , and the author of five acclaimed books on branding. Bruce is a regular on-air contributor at CNN International , Fox Business, and CCTV (China Central Television). Bruce’s newest book, “ Is that All There is, ” takes an intimate look at his own life and that of others who have reached a high level of success – and then change their lives. How do we step away from a career that is wildly successful? What does l...
Sep 02, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Malissa Smith , 67, is a retired civil servant who served as the Agency Chief Contracting Officer for the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development . An amateur boxer, Malissa trains at the world-famous Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn . Malissa wrote A History of Women’s Boxing , the definitive history of female boxers. Malissa is a Founding Board Member of The International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame and a member of the Women’s Boxing Rating Committee , Ring Magazine. Her FOURTH ACT inc...
Aug 26, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 26
After a 30-year career as a trial lawyer , Carl Ficks, 57, quit his law practice this spring. A life-long athlete, committed long-distance runner and cyclist, Carl has stepped into a whole new Act. In his new venture, No Surrender , Carl helps busy professionals reclaim their wellness . How bicycling through the pandemic opened the door to new possibilities. What I learned in Paris about stepping off the check-list. How being a competitive athlete and lawyer fuel the playground of my FOURTH ACT....
Aug 19, 2021•36 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Debra Olshan Cooper , 64, has a storied life. Born in Beverly Hills, a Runway Model in Paris and Milan, Muse to Roberto Cavalli , PR Frontwoman for Elizabeth Taylor , groundbreaking AIDS Charity Promoter and the top Fashion Publicist in Manhattan. Debra’s FOURTH ACT? She now takes her storytelling mojo and helps students craft their authentic stories – and lives – via her firm Your Career Design Lab . And she continues to tell GREAT stories. What Debra learned from working with Elizabeth Taylor ...
Aug 12, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Dan Smolen , 60, is a self-described Future of Work sherpa who advocates for people doing meaningful work. Dan’s wonderfully eclectic past includes on-air radio reporting in college, stints working for advertising and marketing agencies and founding his own Executive Recruitment Agency , The Green Suits. Dan left headhunting in 2018 to launch The Dan Smolen Experience and his Dan Smolen Podcast where he celebrates work that is profound, protects the planet, empowers people and is fun to do. Dan ...
Aug 05, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Marge Schiller Ph.D. , 83, is an Appreciative Inquiry thought-leader and professional grandmother. Marge has been an Appreciative Inquiry practitioner, consultant and collaborator for over 30 years, with a passion for intergenerational learning partnerships. Marge is the co-author of 2 books , Appreciative Leaders: In the Eye of the Beholder and Stan and the Four Fantastic Powers, a children’s book which she co-wrote with her grandchildren Sarah and Max Schiller. Why intergenerational collaborat...
Jul 29, 2021•37 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Adriana Machado , 52, is one of Latin America’s most celebrated women business leaders. Former CEO of GE Brazil and an outspoken advocate for an impact economy , Adriana went on to found the Briyah Institute , a B_Corp that bridges innovation, practice and purpose to inspire leaders to transform their organizations. Adriana serves on multiple Boards where she supports causes like Alzheimer’s prevention . She is a wife, mother and resides in Miami. How dance training shaped a business leader’s ad...
Jul 22, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Meredith Bell, 69, is a beloved leader in the Personal Development field. Her firm, Strong for Performance , which she has helmed with 2 other colleagues for over 30 years, helps companies develop the people side of their business. Meredith is also an author and just recently released the 100th episode of her own marvelous podcast, aptly named Strong for Performance Podcast . Each conversation is illuminated by Meredith’s richly caring and purpose-driven soul. How a clear personal mission statem...
Jul 15, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Steven Petrow , 63, is an award-winning journalist and book author who is best known for his Washington Post and New York Times essays on aging, health, and civility. His just-published sixth book, Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old is a funny and poignant FOURTH ACT page-turner. Steven is also an opinion columnist for USA Today , where he writes about civil discourse and manners. His 2019 TED Talk , “ 3 Ways to Practice Civility ” has been viewed nearly two million times and translated int...
Jul 08, 2021•36 min•Season 19Ep. 19
Diane Primo is the groundbreaking CEO of Purpose Brand Agency , an award-winning Chicago-based public relations, branding and digital marketing firm. She is the only African American female CEO of a purpose-driven communications agency. Diane understood and harnessed the power of purpose long before purpose became "sexy." Diane is also involved with a variety of organizations that support her commitment to eradicating homelessness , helping underserved populations and furthering gender equality ...
Jul 01, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Alisa Alexander , 53, is the quintessential performer. Alisa is a motivational speaker. A recording artist. A woman of faith. And she is a consummate expert in the professional development field. For the last 16 years, Alisa has worked in the Corporate Headquarters of the iconic Mary Kay Cosmetics . Alisa creates and hosts events that empower, celebrate and uplift a global workforce of over 5000 women in every part of the world . Mary Kay’s work celebrates the power of entrepreneurialism and our...
Jun 24, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Kent Schwendy , 53, is an Engineer, former US Air Airforce Captain , Champion for Sustainable Housing , Beekeeper and writing his first historical novel. As the CEO of a non-profit in Hartford/CT, the Corporation for Independent Living , Kent helps to create and sustain affordable, accessible and independent housing. The apiary in the back of his garden is home to half a million bees . Kent is also completing the first draft of a historical novel. And he just started teaching a course on beekeep...
Jun 17, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Chip Conley , 60, was Airbnb’s Global Head of Hospitality and Strategy . Chip helped grow Airbnb into a hospitality company with more than a million hosts in 191 countries. He is a TED speaker and the author of multiple best-selling books including his most recent, “ Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder .” When Chip was hired at Airbnb at the age of 52, he claimed the role of an elder in a company of mostly twentysomethings. Chip has reclaimed the power of elderhood ever since. In 2018, he ...
Jun 10, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Denise Gallagher , 67, is an artist, occupational therapist, sublime photographer – and more importantly perhaps, a seeker and explorer . Based in small-town Fairfield/Iowa, Denise has fashioned an expansive life that includes extended travel escapades around the world. Travel not to sightsee, not to work. Travel to just live and BE – and take rapturous photographs. What’s it like to live in a small town where 1/5 of the residents are serious meditators? What sort of mindset is required to embar...
Jun 03, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Rosemary Ravinal , 66, is a consummate public relations pro with 3 decades of bilingual, bicultural communications expertise. She has worked with everyone – Telemundo, HBO Latin America, The Latin Grammys, Lifetime, Sony Ericsson, MSNBC, Azteca, Republica Havas. Rosemary is the Past President of the Hispanic Public Relations Association and most recently served as the VP of Public Relations for Univision . At a time when some folks retire, Rosemary launched her own Communications Training firm, ...
May 27, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Luis Gallardo , 49, is the Former Global Chief Marketing Officer for Deloitte. He has been an advisor to CEOs, thought leaders, Nobel Laureates, political and institutional game changers on strategic personal positioning and brand building. After leaving Deloitte, Luis founded the World Happiness Foundation and World Happiness Fest. He is the Author of “Happytalism and The Exponentials of Happiness” and the Director of the Gross Global Happiness program at the United Nations University for Peace...
May 20, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Eileen McDargh , 72, is a Rockstar motivational speaker, hope merchant, truth teller, and the Founder and Chief Energy Officer of The Resiliency Group . Since 1980, Eileen has helped organizations and individuals transform the life of their business and the business of their life through conversations that matter and connections that count. She has spoken on stages all over the world and been inducted into the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame . Eileen’s marvelous 8th book, “Burnout to ...
May 13, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Dr. Belinda Harris , 66, is an Academic, Former School Principal, Psychotherapist, just-retired Professor in the University of Nottingham’s School of Education, and the outgoing Chair of the UK Association for Gestalt Therapists . For several years, Belinda worked closely with the world-renowned Gestalt International Study Center on Cape Cod where she co-led their senior leadership program and helped establish an education initiative. How do you stop doing “the same old work” once you retire? Ho...
May 06, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Saamdu Chetri, Ph.D. , 64, was born in a cowshed in rural Bhutan. After 5 years of working in the cabinet of Bhutan’s prime minister, Saamdu co-founded and headed Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness Centre . The Centre’s focus on measuring the country’s GNH instead of GDP, and its framework for fostering happier countries, gained worldwide recognition. Saamdu is the author of 2 books , has been featured extensively in the global media, and generously shares his wisdom on mindfulness and happiness ...
Apr 29, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Sam Yau , 72, has reinvented his life several times over – from being a 6-month-old baby on a refugee boat to a penniless student in a distant land, from the CEO of a billion-dollar corporation to the Head of the Board at Esalen , the pioneering and iconic personal growth center on the California coast. After facing an unexpected personal tragedy in 2016, Sam went into seclusion, only to re-emerge as a poet and publish a luminous first book of poetry, “ Soul’s Journey .” How do we face unimagine...
Apr 22, 2021•43 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Lynne Maureen Hurdle , 63, is a veteran conflict resolution strategist , TEDx speaker, communication coach and bestselling author. Over the past 30 years, Lynne has partnered with conflict resolution luminaries in every part of the world. In response to the George Floyd murder and the Black Lives Matter protests, Lynne created her “ On the Matter of Race: White People Committed to Beginning the Journey Together ” experiences. What began as a small-group Cohort has spawned waiting lists and group...
Apr 15, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Trisha Lewis , 63, is a British actress , writer, and communication consultant who champions confident authenticity. When she wasn’t getting the acting parts she desired, Trisha wrote her own one-woman shows and began to tour. At a time when some people plan retirement, Trisha launched a communication consultancy. Trisha hosts the Make It Real Podcast and just released her book “ The Mystery of the Squashed Self .” What are all the ways in which we squash ourselves? How did Trisha Lewis fully cl...
Apr 08, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Walt Hampton, J.D., 63, is a former criminal defense lawyer, author. speaker, adventurer and bonvivant who helps solopreneurs and entrepreneurs to grow and scale businesses that set them free. A longtime resident of the Hartford/Connecticut area, Walt and his wife Ann Sheybani now reside in rural Ireland. It serves as home base for their very global lives. What impulses propel you to trade one life for another that looks, smells and feels radically different? What gets in the way of dreaming the...
Apr 01, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Janet Gerson , Ed.D., 72, boldly explores her creative and intellectual passions through her work. After over two decades as a dancer, performance maker and community activist via her own dance company, Janet returned to Columbia University for a Doctorate in Education. She was the Co-Director of the Peace Education Center at Teachers College, Columbia University and currently serves as Education Director for the International Institute on Peace Education. Now, in her early 70s, Janet is emergin...
Mar 25, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Simon T. Bailey, 52, is a former Disney executive, author, life coach and serial entrepreneur. Shift Your Brilliance: Harness the Power of You, INC is one of Simon’s many acclaimed books. He is one of the most sought-after motivational speakers in the world and a 2015 inductee into the National Speaker Association’s Hall of Fame. Simon champions a remarkable, unified world filled with purpose-driven people. What happens when you are temporarily robbed of one of your Superpowers? How far do you g...
Mar 18, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 3
What began in 1993 with 46 Israeli, Palestinian and Egyptian teenagers who gathered at a camp in Maine to learn how to coexist has evolved into a legion of over 7300 alumni all over the world who are committed to transforming legacies of conflict. Bobbie, 78, is the "spiritual grandmother" to these brilliant young leaders. Her many awards include a Medal of Honor from King Hussein of Jordan. What drives us to stay engaged? What fuels our PURPOSE over long periods of time? And how do we adapt in ...
Mar 11, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Are your stories keeping you anxious and dispirited? How do you let go of “happily ever after” and step into being radically alive? Or, in the words of Mary Oliver, what is it you plan to do with your wild and precious life?
Mar 03, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 1
