broadCAST June 2019: June Bug Ideas
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
Last month, we offered up a whole bunch on Optimism and may it be. This month, The broadCAST? speaks to June bugs of ideas.
Going forward, we are tying in our messaging to the Global Goals. According to the website, "In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 goals for a better world by 2030. These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change. Guided by the goals, it is now up to all of us, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public to work together to build a better future for everyone."
While specific messages will not necessarily tie directly to each goal, their awareness is important to us at Epic Engage. Our contributors speak to many of them directly or indirectly. We encourage you to check the goals out for yourself.
With that in mind, it is June 2019. Wow, almost half way through 2019, and headed into Summer. The theme for this month is indeed June Bugs; bugs in the ear... ideas for life and work. Last month, we did indeed write on may it be. In April, we offered up Easter Eggs of thought and wisdom... and in March around marching on ... and in February on love and leadership. Now, let's get to it for June.
The broadCAST?
... is a monthly weigh in of thoughts and perspectives by our members of The broadCAST? Team. As noted so very many times in the past, " these wonderful people are independent experts in their own right, and I am humbly proud to say friends of mine. Here, they have an opportunity to share their earned insights, for you, each month. And, as we have said many times before, we encourage you to connect with these experts on their respective bodies of work and how they might be of service to you."
Yes, think of The broadCAST? as a "news and views" letter ... intent on bringing value added and even fun to your life at work and beyond. Intended for educators, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders, it has something for everyone... and we encourage you to share it.
On HR... TRACY CARBERRY says
Have a viewing of this TEDx video from Leah Georges ... on generations in the workplace. I ask that you consider it. Going into July and the balance of the year, I am going to be offering thoughts and ideas around humanizing the workplace. I am looking forward to it. I hope you are too. Enjoy June, Tracy.
Tracy Carberry is a pro, on real world human resource leadership. Bringing her background in community leadership and human resource development over the last 12 years, she is that people person who communicates, connects and coordinates; and gets results. Whether with the Virginia Park Community Center, Young Adult Cancer of Canada, Enactus, Academy Canada, MoMondays or Epic Engage, she demonstrates real on-the-ground leadership and brings it every time with an understanding that people matter, and they matter to our success. Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn today.
On Intuition... DOMINIQUE HURLEY says
Your "Planting Seeds" Guided Meditation. What a perfect time to plant seeds for what you want to have sprout and bloom in the months to come. I invite you to this recorded visioning experience to plant the seeds and cultivate the fruit that are in your Highest Good.
In this Planting Seeds guided meditation, you’ll have the chance to ask 5 questions or set 5 intentions and receive intuitive guidance on each. It’s a great way to exercise those intuitive muscles! The more you use them, the stronger your connection to your inner guidance will be. You’ll benefit from preparing ahead of time. Think of a list of 5 things you’d like to connect to your intuition for. They can be:
- 5 questions (related or unrelated)
- 5 intentions
- 5 affirmations
If you write them down, it’ll be easier. Keep them short and sweet. Then CLICK HERE to access the meditation. Close your eyes and allow it to take you where you need to go. This 19-minutes intuitive exercise was channeled live at the end of a retreat.
Dominique Hurley is an intuitive visionary artist, educator, and naturopathic practitioner who guides you to explore and express your True Self as you connect to your inner guidance. Grounded in her love of beauty and the beauty of love, Dominique delivers insight and inspiration through her Intuition Into Action Treasure Map: 5 Steps to a Happy Healthy Life. She’ll delight you through energy-infused art, intuitive exercises, guided meditations, presentations, interactive workshops, and writings. For your conference, convention, meeting or event, Dominique can and will help nourish your transformational journey as an individual, organization or professional community. www.dominiquehurley.com.
On Entrepreneurship... JON BUTLER says
I'm moving forward. And, it's terrifying. First, a quick recap. In my last article of the May it Be release, I committed May to a month of prioritization. In other words, May would be a month to find focus and rebound from a recent business decision that caused me to question the future of my business. That was a tough time. To work through it, I asked myself a series of questions based on:
- Finding clarity
- Identifying fit
- Determining effort
It didn't take me long to find clarity once I realized that I sucked at all the things I didn't like doing in my business. I found myself either taking longer than expected to complete those tasks or ignoring them, altogether. Not good. This was probably the very reason the business decision I made was going a little sideways. However, I don't have the money to pay for the support I need. I wonder, though... can I build a team of people with complimentary skillsets who are motivated to work together to rebuild and grow a young company, where the only compensation is ownership in a dream? I’m not sure, yet, but it’s clear that I need to find out. In the meantime, I put a lot of thought into deciding how my strengths fit into running my business better. I also heavily considered the additional help I would need to compensate for my weaknesses. Through that thought process and eventual follow-through, I entered a very interesting conversation that could lead to the joining of two companies in a completely new rebrand. This partnership would allow me to focus on my strengths, while my potential partner would bring a strong complimentary skill set that would support my weaknesses, as well as present a large market growth opportunity.
This new direction is exciting! The timing of the rollout is a little concerning and the growth potential terrifies me. Am I ready for this type of move? Can I deliver on the expectations? Will it be successful? I don't know. But, that's the fun part. Part of being an entrepreneur is enjoying the process. We're never truly ready. We'll never know if we can do something unless we try. Most importantly, success is subjective. If it fails and we can improve from the lesson we learned, isn't that success? Let's see where this goes!
Jon was born and bred in St. John’s and is especially passionate about helping to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Newfoundland & Labrador. After graduating from MUN in 2009, he spent the following 9 years building a career as an entrepreneur. He has started companies in both Ottawa and St. John’s, and most recently, a food business called LunchIn. Jon has also launched Get Started Café; an initiative that offers a new approach to professional development, leadership, and community impact. He believes that thinking like an entrepreneur can help anyone become empowered at work, enact social change, and find purpose. Jon Butler on LinkedIn.
On Social Media... HOLLY McCUE says
Wondering how to stay on top of your content marketing efforts over the busy summer months, and still enjoy your summer to the fullest? It's easy, if you can stay organized. Here are some tips to help you manage this summer:
- Set aside a few hours to research new and trending topics among your social media followers. What are they talking about? What are they interested in?
- Have a look at the calendar. Are there upcoming holidays and events you could mention, that are appropriate or relevant to your brand?
- Develop a list of topics you can cover over the course of the summer. It doesn’t need to be a perfect list – just one to help you get started writing on each topic. You can edit as you go.
- Re-purpose existing assets. Have an old blog post from last year, that is still relevant now? Maybe a post that got a lot of attention, you could feature and talk about today?
- Leave room for personal experiences. Keep an active diary for personal experiences you think would benefit your followers, by sharing. Stories allow our audiences to connect with us in a meaningful way.
Before all of the items on your list have been published… Make sure you repeat the process, so you stay consistent with up-to-date and relevant content on your website and social channels!
Holly McCue is a creative enthusiast and the co-founder for Social On Site, Inc.; a mobile social media marketing agency that focuses on humanizing and showcasing, the uniqueness of brands through their own social platforms… bringing a new meaning to "storytelling”. Having graduated from Memorial University with a BBA degree, she developed a very distinct business approach in association with her passions: painting, writing, photography and psychology. Understanding people and serving a fresh perspective, is what Holly values most. Connect with Holly.
On Parenting... SUSAN KENNEDY says
Helping Your Older Child to Prepare for Exams. For the past several years I have been the owner of a tutoring business, and while my own children aren’t at that stage yet, I’ve spent countless hours with teenagers preparing for final exams. I see the same issues over and over again. Students are feeling anxious, overwhelmed and stressed; they are disorganized, they aren’t sure how best to study or how long it will take, and so on. Here are some tips to help your teen succeed this exam season:
- Set some new routines for the month before exam time. It’s hard to find the balance between independence and rules for teenagers. But in the month leading up to exams the rules should be a bit tighter. Talk warmly about the new routines early and frequently. One idea could be that because exams are coming up, starting in June, they need to be home by 6:00 pm on school nights - or whatever new routine works for your family. It shouldn't sound like a punishment. It’s just a new routine that will be over once summer starts!
- Encourage your child to follow the read-write-test process for effective studying. Read the chapter, write out a guide of key principles and then test that knowledge by getting someone to quiz you or by doing a practice test.
- Get involved. Sit with them, help them get organized, quiz them on terms, make them tea and snacks. If you make it a family affair and it will feel much less stressful.
- Don’t worry about the outcome. If your child is trying their best, the number on their report card doesn’t matter. Everyone has bad test days – it’s the effort that counts.
As the summer approaches freedom is just around the corner for our kids. Good luck navigating this busy time as the school year comes to a close and see you again in the summer!
Susan Kennedy is a mom to two little kids aged 2 and 5. She is a scientist by training but now spends her days taking care of her two children and running an educational services business. Susan is also a trained birth doula and is involved in the Doula Collective of Newfoundland. Susan loves to speak about anything parenting-related, especially the intersection between technology and parenting and millennial parenthood. She is the founder of Apparently Tech, a new technology company focusing on app development in the Family and Lifestyle category. Connect with Susan on LinkedIn.
On Creativity... JAMIE McCABE says
CRAWLING around inside of us all are great ideas. They can be scary little bugs of ideas or big cockroaches of ideas. Do you let them walk away from you or embrace the ugliness of fear and nurture them? Some of those ideas should be squatted and other need to be loved and cared for. If I’m afraid, I know it must be a big scary idea that usually indicates a growth moment for me. I should pick it up and ask, why am I so afraid of you? Maybe it isn’t that scary at all to look at, it’s just your own fears holding you back at first glimpse. So don’t be afraid of the big bug of ideas you have. Don't cage it but look it straight in the eyes and see the beauty in the life of all your ideas.
Jamie McCabe is all about creativity and connection. She is on a mission to bring people together through art and exploring their creative side at Clay Café Avalon. Jamie became an entrepreneur and opened the paint-your-own pottery studio in 2008 and has seen many memories painted there since then. She works with children and schools where she provides after school art programs. She believes we should color outside the lines more and embrace our inner artist. At Clay Café, it’s not about painting the perfect piece, it’s about painting the perfect memory. www.claycafeavalon.ca.
On Education... RAY HOLLISTER says
FINALLY!! For a large number of students, Summer Break is finally here! No more school, no more classes, and no more ‘rules’. In keeping with the spirit of taking a ‘break’, I’ll keep this month’s idea short and sweet; “Never Stop Learning”.
The new school year WILL come again – and will be here much faster than you realize. This is mostly because when we’re having fun, time seems to go by much more quickly. So don’t let this natural human ‘time dilation’ be a disruption to your education. Since you know you’ll be reading text books, taking notes, and preparing for exams, why not keep your ‘study muscles’ in good practice? During the summer break, find 3 non-fiction books to read. Biographies are a great source of information and valuable advice if you are willing to look – and learn. If you really want to kick your study skills into high gear, write a summary of each book after you finish it. Plan on writing it like an essay, only this time YOU are the one who gets to grade your own work! Lastly, keep your writing skills sharp by planning to write a journal-like essay of what you did over the summer. This gives you an opportunity to relive your fun times, as well as preparation for the writing that is to come in the new school year.
With the pressure of a ‘grade’ off the table, you may find it much easier read, review, write, and remember information. Oh and don’t forget – HAVE FUN!! Cheers, Ray.
Ray Hollister is all about strength, excellence and potential. In fact, he has a very special connection with students – he’s helped thousands achieve average scores of over 90% for 20 years! His love of learning… and his ability to teach anybody the same easy strategies he used to study far less than everyone else while maintaining outrageously high test scores… quickly earned him a lot of ‘friends’ seeking his advice. Ray has personally conducted numerous studies to develop an intense, focused, and results oriented program for college students. With the success of that program, Ray set his sights on helping younger students in Junior High, High School, and those just entering University. The end result is a program that will help any student – especially YOU – learn more, study less, and earn consistently high grades. www.rayhollister.net.
On Communications... JOEL SWEENEY says
Here is the link for my June instalment of the broadCAST. For this month's broadCAST I am sharing the concept of The Speaker's Tool Box. I view speaking as a craft, Whether it is on-on-one or one-on-a-thousand. Each of us has a Speaker Tool Box. The tools referred to in this video are not physical so it is with us no matter where we go or who we speak to. Learn to use the tools in your speaker tool box to become a better speaker and communicator. All the Best … Joel.
Joel Sweeney is all about effective communications. He has been speaking, training, coaching and writing about it for over 20 years. He is the author of The Wedding MC Handbook and Little Helpings of Food for Thought. His third book, The Speaker’s Tool Box – Perfecting the Craft of Speaking, was released in the 2015. He is the owner of Professionally Speaking (established in 1995). Joel helps entrepreneurs and business professional become effective, engaging and confident speakers. www.JoelSweeney.com.
On Healing... LESLIE BRIDGER says
From a young age, I began to understand that I had a choice every day as to how I viewed the world. I could choose to focus on everything that was extremely challenging in my life OR I could focus on what was good. My parents modeled this to me as we all dealt with losing my 8-month old brother and then, 2 years later, almost losing my sister.
As a teenager, people looking in couldn’t see or feel the deep despair and unhappiness I often felt. They didn’t know that I was sexually abused by an uncle from age 11-15. Then, just months after the abuse ended, my 6-year old brother was hit by a truck and killed instantly. Even though I knew the power of focusing on what was good, sometimes the huge pile of all that was going wrong seemed to make what was good almost disappear. During those times, I noticed that when I became stuck and fixated on the bad, not only did I feel miserable, the energy of those around me dipped as well.
That’s when I became aware that I always felt better when I was outside in nature. I felt uplifted and hopeful. Being outside, life didn’t seem so bleak. Things became clearer and I began to see how I could rise above the challenges I was currently facing. Unlimited possibilities started to open up and unfold before my very eyes. I was shown life-giving ways to not only move through the heaviness I was feeling, but to also rise above it. Since then, Mother Earth has regularly helped me keep my sanity over the years.
So, if you’re struggling right now, make time to connect with your favourite place in nature that makes you feel better about yourself and your life. Even if you can’t get there physically, visualizing yourself there is just as effective as long as you engage all of your senses. How do you feel emotionally when you are there? What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? Really feel yourself there. From this place, think of a challenge you’re facing and ask “What can I do to not only move through this, but to rise above it with ease and grace?” Now, be open to receiving guidance and the many ways it will be delivered to you.
Sending Much Love and BIG HUGS your way, Leslie.
After twenty years of ‘successful’ yet unhappy corporate living, Leslie Bridger decided to follow her calling, helping people create healing environments both internally and externally with nature. After her near-death experience in 2005, she fully understood the importance of what she had learned from the Elements. Leslie now spreads this message through her joyful awe-inspiring talks accompanied by her uplifting nature photography, as well as her upcoming book “AWE for Humanity: Awakening Wisdom from the Elements”. Her mission is to lovingly empower others, individually and in groups, as they awaken to the magnificence within and all around them. The Awe Project.
On Motivation... MARK BLACK says
This month, we thought to offer (again) this interview with Mark on healthy minds and well being. There is a lot to munch on. Engage and enjoy!!!
Mark Black, CSP is all about wellness and resilience. He is a Heart and Double-Lung Transplant Recipient, 4-time marathoner, resilience expert, speaker, and coach. Mark helps people “Thrive in Challenging Times”. A Certified Speaking Professional, Mark has inspired more than 100,000 people in more than 350 presentations. At 23 Mark faced an unimaginable challenge. His doctor informed him that his heart was failing. Without a rare and dangerous heart and double-lung transplant he would not see his 25th birthday. Three years later, after receiving his second chance at life, Mark ran his first marathon. Mark spends his free time with his beautiful wife and two kids. www.markblack.ca.
On Compassion... SHEENA sings and says
This month, we thought to offer this TEDx talk from Sheena. There are thoughts worth digesting, for better perspective.
Sheena Grobb Singer/Songwriter and Speaker… is humbly amazing. “It is without a doubt a masterpiece of songwriting and soundscape. Really incredible, soulful music. She will definitely get a huge audience in time, trust me.” Alex Wharton, Abbey Road Studios. A songbird from the age of two, songwriter at ten, with 3 albums under her belt, a nomination for the Western Canadian Music Awards, and over 500 tour dates across Canada, the US, and the UK, Sheena Grobb (one of Canada’s best kept secrets) is spilling over. With the release of her newest album, The Breakless Heart, mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, and a life changing music video created by Lindsey Nelko (past choreographer with So You Think You Can Dance), Sheena is embarking on her most meaningful project yet – The Living Compassion Project? – inviting others to “unlock their lives” through sharing their stories… as she begins to share hers. www.sheenagrobb.com
On Character... BARRY LEWIS GREEN says
This has been an eventful month for me. Cluing up a College year, leading organizational sessions, and the Janeway Telethon this past weekend. Such a convergence for me each May/June. On top of that, I have been focusing on a strategic personal vision for my "next chapter"... even cultivating a GROWTHery List.... that I liken to being beyond engaged. It has caused me to better align my online work. It has caused me to better align my life and work... advancing Simplicity. All of this is to say that I have narrowed down and focused towards a Summer 2019 Plan.
The plan aligns with my 20022020 Vision of:
- It is 20022020, and I am a master and lifelong student of the global body of work around character leadership and unity building. I work with noble minded and hearted leaducators, communitrepreneurs and emergents in advancing same. In so doing, I have learned conversational Mandarin and French to bring that work more global. I have also engaged a deepened level of spiritual studies and practice through The Ruhi Institute, and more. I am living a life filled with love, song, dance, cartooning, writing, epic stories, archery and more of what and who I love. My #bestlittledogintheworld Panda is by my side in enjoying it all. I am teaching business leadership at College of the North Atlantic, in class and online; and doing my global work of Epic Engage?. I am loving it! I am 110K in weight (slim for my body structure) and benching same; healthy and strong. And, I am financially ready, willing and able to support special projects in which I deeply want to invest and contribute.
My Summer 2019 Plan supports the Vision. I have long suggested that long term visions and goals must needs be supported by 90-100 day plans, which in turn are supported by monthly initiatives; not unlike building a wall fireplace of brick and stone. You have a vision of that structure. start with the foundation, building thusly. You work one brick at a time, assessing as you go. My thought to you as you enter Summer? What do you want to see happen for you going into 2020? What needs to happen this Summer that will support your efforts into the Fall and Winter? This can be a time of recreation, but it is not lost on me that recreation is re-creation.
Barry Lewis Green is ultimately a vocalist, strength coach and educator. His work is about exploring, identifying, practicing and mastering our strengths of character. His book Human Being Being Human speaks to that. and that is why Barry is The Unity Guy?. EPIC Engage? is an extension of The Unity Guy?. The Epic work is all about building strong, united and inspired cultures lead by character… at school, work and community; where everyone matters and contributes everyday. www.epicengage.com.
QUOTES for the MONTH
- Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. --- Viktor Frankl
SONGS of the MONTH
VIDEO for the MONTH
MONTHLY MEME
Avoid the S.O.S.O. ...
UNTIL NEXT TIME
Thanks yet again for engaging us! We are looking forward to more and more into the Summer and through 2019; and new offerings. Do please stay tuned! And share!!!
We do invite you to connect with our contributors. They are remarkable and diverse people to know and with whom to work. Many of them are part of our new SPEAKERNET too.
Either way, let us keep doing this! Have a great June and beginning of Summer!!!
Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy
The FREEPIC Forums?
We invite you to catch up and check out some of our back issues:
April 2019 and those Easter Eggs
February 2019 on love and leadership
and 2018
September on getting back at it
our July broadCAST on carpe diem
You can also check out other free resources and services right here.
