Entering The Inspiration Zone

What can reflecting on milestones and embracing gratitude teach us about personal and professional growth?Join Juliette Mayers, a highly regarded DEI strategist, Forbes Coaches Council Member, Author and Speaker, in this heartfelt season 3 finale of Entering the Inspiration Zone. Juliette reflects on a year of blessings, celebrating achievements and extending heartfelt gratitude to listeners, guests, and her incredible team, for their invaluable support this season. She also emphasizes the importance of self-care through “strategic pauses” and invites listeners to revisit past episodes while anticipating the exciting return of season 4 in 2025.Whether you’re a business professional, entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration, this episode delivers encouragement, actionable insights, and a reminder to celebrate your journey.Highlights:01:10 - "It is an absolute joy to hear from you, and it warms my heart when I meet our listeners in person. Some of you have become friends, and others have become clients, and for that, I am grateful."01:23 - "This year has been filled with possibility and numerous blessings. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."01:37 - "From Inspiration Zone selection as the 2024 Supplier of the Year from Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council to selection as a Woman to Watch, an honor I humbly accepted from the Women’s Business Group Connect, to the surge of book-related engagements for my book Strategic Networking 2.0, these milestones are reminders that I am on the right path."02:16 - "A huge shout out to Inspiration Zone guests who have shared their stories and elevated our thinking as a community. Every topic brings us closer together, sparking real moments of insight and growth from our episodes on resilience, innovation, deep dives into leadership, empathy, and community building."02:48 - "Special thanks to D'Anna Ibiloye, Inspiration Zone’s marketing and communications coordinator, and to the team at Podcast Engineers for your partnership.."03:39 - “I am deliberate and intentional, creating positive connection and professional development. I think of it as a strategic pause to retool and recharge. And yes, I encourage everyone to do this for themselves.04:26 - “Get caught up with the past episodes, practice self care, I look forward to rejoining you here for season 4 in 2025.”Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

Are you ready to end the year with renewed energy and focus? In this episode of Entering the Inspiration Zone, host Juliette Mayers dives into essential strategies for recharging and aligning with your professional and personal goals. Juliette, a highly regarded DEI strategist, Forbes Coaches Council Member, Author and Speaker, shares actionable tips to help entrepreneurs and business professionals find resilience, manage overwhelm, and finish strong.Expect a valuable blend of wellness insights, goal-setting frameworks, and motivational advice aimed at enhancing productivity and well-being as the year wraps up. Tune in now to gain clarity, set priorities, and tackle the final quarter with intention and strength.Let’s get energized and inspired to close out the year on a high note!Highlights:02:00 - "What I am talking about is the impact upon me personally...I find the constant demands overwhelming sometimes, especially as an introverted professional."04:11 - "When I talk about resilience, I mean the ability to bounce back and manage through challenges."06:03 - "I thought I'd share my personal experience on how I stay authentic amid external pressures."08:41 - "Each morning, I focus on setting priorities...What is the one thing I need to accomplish today?"11:45 - "Leverage your network, and the people in your ecosystem, to help drive things forward."14:22 - "Go back to your goals...make sure you reset, recharge, and finish strong."16:57 - "Finishing strong is about acknowledging all aspects of ourselves to achieve professional success."Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

How do we create food sustainably without relying on traditional agriculture? In this captivating episode of Entering the Inspiration Zone, Juliette Mayers sits down with Dr. Lisa Dyson, the brilliant mind behind Air Protein. Dr. Dyson is revolutionizing the food industry with her groundbreaking approach to landless agriculture, making it possible to produce nutritious food from air, water, and energy. Dr. Dyson’s compelling journey reveals the science behind air-based food production and shows how every small step can help tackle global food challenges.Dr. Dyson shares insights into her journey from physics research to entrepreneurial ventures tackling climate challenges through innovative food solutions. She explains the power of networks in driving change and highlights the importance of resilience for success. This conversation will inspire you to rethink the future of food, business, and climate solutions. Whether you're a business leader, a climate enthusiast, or simply curious about the future, this episode offers valuable insights on how we can all take action to create a more sustainable world.Highlights:01:08 - "Air Protein’s transformative land-free process uses only elements of air to yield a carbon-negative protein, resulting in the most sustainable way to grow food."12:36 - "We leverage some of NASA’s original ideas to build a technology that allows us to make food in a way that doesn’t require arable land. You can make food anywhere using just air, water, and energy."17:22 - "If the way we make food today clears land equivalent to the size of South America and contributes more greenhouse gases than the entire transportation sector, how will we feed 9 or 10 billion people?"15:08 - "We started by focusing on the hardest problem first—can we make something like chicken, with the same texture and flavor, but grown using air?"20:09 - "The main thing consumers can do is vote with their wallet—choose products that are good for both your health and the planet."23:27 - "The way you climb Mount Everest is one step at a time. Even a small piece of a possible solution can make a difference, and you'd be surprised how many people are willing to join you on that journey."Contact Dr. Lisa DysonLinkedInWebsite Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

Are you making the most of your network for career success? In this episode, host Juliette Mayers shares the secrets of smart networking and how to build connections that can advance your career. Juliette: An accomplished Author, Speaker, DEI Strategist, and member of the Forbes Coaches Council, challenges the common notion of "your network is your net worth" and tells you why quality trumps quantity. She also shares real-life examples, and thought-provoking questions to help you rethink your entire networking strategy.Learn how you can begin building relationships that matter both externally and internally. Be sure to apply Juliette's actionable advice, such as nurturing internal relationships, focusing on the quality of your network over quantity, and strategically planning your networking efforts to advance your career. Highlights:01:10 - "Often what is overlooked is your internal network, and really spending the time to cultivate those internal relationships that can help increase your effectiveness and better position you for success."02:45 - "Your network is your net worth; I don’t think that's 100% true. You can have a huge network, but what's more important is the quality of your network and how it aligns with what you're trying to accomplish."03:40 - "Strategic networking is networking with a plan. It's deliberate, intentional, and focused on relationships that matter to your goals."06:20 - "When it comes to career advancement, your internal network is extremely important...most people get promoted because they have done their work on the relationship part."09:45 - "I'm an introvert, and for me, networking takes a lot of energy...The reason I focus on strategic networking is because I can be more thoughtful and deliberate about how I use my time and energy."13:30 - "Yes, you do need a written plan for networking. People who write down their plans and revisit them regularly have a higher likelihood of achieving what they want."16:10 - “Who in the organization is a champion of mine? Who are my allies, mentors, sponsors?" Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpEmail for Feedback: info@inspirationzoneLLC.com

How can AI revolutionize your personal and business branding? Tune in as Juliette Mayers welcomes marketing expert David Meerman Scott a globally recognized marketing strategist and author of The New Rules of Marketing & PR.If you're a business professional or entrepreneur, this episode will show you how AI can simplify content creation and enhance audience engagement. You'll discover actionable steps to boost your brand's visibility and credibility using AI. Learn how to save time, effortlessly create high-impact content, and build a standout brand with the power of AI. Discover how AI can drive more engagement on platforms like LinkedIn, help you write compelling headlines, and turn your ideas into attention-grabbing posts. Whether you're looking to elevate your personal brand or grow your business, you'll get practical tips to sharpen your marketing strategy, increase your reach, and connect with your audience meaningfully.Don’t wait—tune in now and transform your personal and business branding with AI! Apply the expert insights shared in this episode to stand out, captivate your audience, and thrive in the digital age.Highlights:05:00 - "Artificial intelligence is driving so many of the things that we do every single day. Sometimes they’re in the background; we don’t even see it."11:00 - "The more you can create content built around engagement, the more engagement you’ll get, the more people will be exposed to your ideas."18:15 - "You can use AI tools to create more and better content, and even repurpose audio into written posts in a fraction of the time."24:00 - "It’s still really important from a branding standpoint and an accuracy standpoint to really review whatever AI comes up with."29:20 - "I believe that AI makes marketing more fun, more enjoyable, and intellectually stimulating because we’re not doing mundane tasks anymore." Contact Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette Mayers’ Book: “Strategic Networking 2.0: Harness the Power of Connection and Inclusion for Business Success” Contact David Meerman ScottLinkedInWebsiteDavid Meerman Scott's Book:  “The New Rules of Marketing & PR”

Juliette is joined by Pam Reeve, Chair of the Board, American Tower. Pamela has built her career around the advancement of women and support for technology innovation. In roles starting and running businesses, serving at the helm of public company boards of directors, and leading non-profit organizations and boards, Reeve has left her mark on the region’s business landscape while mentoring and in other ways supporting its people.A champion for women’s leadership, Reeve serves as the Chair of The Commonwealth Institute, working with women CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business leaders to help them grow their businesses and their careers. In this position, her active involvement in Board-Ready Bootcamps, and through her work with the Boston Women’s Leadership Network Last Mile Initiative and Women Corporate Directors, she has demonstrated a commitment to increasing the number of qualified women serving on boards of directors.Pamela shares her story of creating her own path. Pamela talks about the importance of diversity and inclusion, and how she found the confidence to forge her own way. This episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiring stories, so be sure to tune in!Highlights:03:54 - When I look back on the journey, I think it's more about how I wanted to be, what I valued, relationships that meant a lot to me and a lot of connecting dots that otherwise might seem not connected.07:25 - I think that you have to look around on what might be available to help you out and maybe do move if you can.13:18 - I think we all carry in us our history, our upbringing and our history, and then we hope to enrich that or go away from it.18:40 - Have more faith in yourself, use your voice and use your intention. Don't deny yourself and don't prevent yourself from at least trying on something that you’re interested in.Connect with JulietteLinkedInWebsite Juliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect with PamelaWebsiteThis episode is sponsored by Associated Industries of Massachusetts(AIM). AIM is the largest business association in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. To learn more about AIM, visit www.aimnet.org.

How do you develop empathy for the lived experiences of others? It can be difficult, but it's necessary if we want to build a more inclusive society, embrace diversity and develop relationships. Juliette sits down with Bob Rivers, the Chair and CEO of Eastern Bank to talk about his journey and personal story that is truly empowering. Find out how to better understand people as Bob further shares his process in order to develop meaningful relationships and cultivate relationships with different communities and networks. Moreover, get to know how humility plays a huge role in the process.Highlights: 08:55  People, I think, could see that I was not only deeply sincere about addressing these issues, but also very aware that I wasn’t well educated,  knowledgeable, didn’t often know the language or the right words to use or ways to express things. Because of those relationships, people took me aside and would correct things to help me be better.” 13:29  It’s one thing to be introduced to someone; it’s another thing to operate in a way you’re building trust and really being there for that person or those people when they need you. 14:31 If you can’t find anyone, it’s all a matter of just reaching out and getting involved and really looking.17:29  I like the discomfort 'cause I knew it would cause me to get better and get more comfortable and the only way to do that is repetition. 22:41 You have to find ways to break out into completely different communities and networks and you have to be strategic about it. ContactJulliette MayersLinkedInWebsite Bob RiversLinkedIn

Talent is the lifeblood of any organization. No matter how good your brand name is, you won’t be successful without  a talented team. Stephanie Browne joins Juliette to discuss why organizations need to earn the right to have top talent.Find out more about why it’s not enough just to have a good brand name. You need to create an environment where talented people want to work. Listen as Stephanie and Juliette discuss what organizations can do to cultivate ,attract, and keep top talent!Highlights02:44 I spent over four years working on trying to be the best me and these last twenty seven years, I've been blessed to have a lot of roles that led me to where I am today. 08:26 All of those skills I did outside of my corporate job at the same time keeping my corporate job. That was what really helped me navigate its leadership and the executive suite because of all that learning. 10:18 There was nobody there telling me I was doing it wrong or doing it right. I had to learn it on my own and I was able to take risks that I wasn’t really willing to take. 14:36 We also know that diversity brings innovation. What kind of innovation do you need to be thinking about as a company is the first thing you need to think about. You must have a strategy. 22:39 I really do believe that organizations need to earn the right to have the best talent. It’s not enough just to have a good brand name. It’s not enough just to, you know, I call talk the talk. You gotta walk the walk.  ContactsJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpStephanie BrowneWebsite Eastern BankThis episode is brought to you by Eastern Bank, the largest commercial bank headquartered in MA.Website

Join Juliette Mayers in an invigorating episode for leaders and aspiring leaders. Her distinguished guest Rosabeth Moss Kanter, is the Ernest L. Arbuckle Professor of Business at Harvard Business School and a prolific author, shares invaluable insights. Her latest bestseller is "Think Outside the Building."As a trailblazer in academia, Rosabeth often stood as the lone woman in her field. She attributes her success to a tireless work ethic and task-orientation. Drawing from her journey, Rosabeth champions solutions that unite, emphasizing the power of action and uplifting others.Tune in to hear Rosabeth urge leaders to embrace a mission that benefits all, providing the flexibility and meaning essential for success.  Episode Highlights:14:06 - That doing nothing, being passive is depressing, and it only gets you more tired, less energetic, et cetera. But doing something, anything, taking a step can be so gratifying and rewarding. And if it's the wrong step, you have a chance to correct it and start again, but doing is my solution. Doing and uplifting others, those two things inspire me.16:20 - My goal is, I said earlier, is uniting everybody. It's a world in which people feel included. It's a world in which everyone has opportunity to thrive. And it's great that we're talking about opportunity now and encouraging leaders to think not just about hiring people for jobs, but giving them opportunity.27:41 - If you want to be a leader, if you aspire to be a leader, one thing you have to do is, these days, especially during the pandemic, I wrote a blog that said CEO should stand for Chief Empathy Officer. That is, you had to understand what your people were going through if you wanted their full support. To help keep the company alive, you had to keep them alive.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpRosabeth Moss KanterHarvard Business SchoolTwitter

Author of Strategic Networking 2.0, Juliette shares her insights on keeping professional relationships alive during the summer. Based on her own experiences and her three books on networking, she offers practical tips for business professionals and entrepreneurs on how to use the summer months to build deeper connections and expand their networks.She talks about why summer is the perfect time to get to know colleagues and potential partners beyond the office. Juliette also shares some great stories about how personal interactions can lead to powerful connections.Episode Highlights04:01 - I think that summertime, quite honestly, is a perfect time to deepen the relationships because people are often in a space of, even if they're at work 90% of the time, they are typically in a better place because, one, the sun is out.08:03 - Summer is a perfect time to get to some of those tasks that you may have been putting off and make sure that they are optimized in a way that will help you to be more effective. So one thing that you can do is if you haven't already done it, take the time to make sure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date, that it's professionally done, and it reflects what you do. 14:44 - Be mindful of where people are on their journey and with their energy. And in some cases, the vacation that somebody takes may be the only time they've had all year, and so be respectful of those times. If somebody's on vacation, unless it's truly an emergency, do not tell them it's urgent and you need a response. ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteStrategic Networking 2.0Juliette's Books

In this powerful episode, Juliette Mayers engages in an enlightening conversation with Herby Duverné, President and CEO of Windwalker Group, and co-founder of RISE. Herby shares his remarkable journey to entrepreneurial success, delving into the trials and triumphs that shaped his path. Together, they explore the themes of leadership, responsibility, and the impact of positive workplace culture, offering invaluable insights for business professionals and entrepreneurs.Herby talks candidly about his early days in the US, overcoming language barriers, and seizing every opportunity to learn and grow. His story serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of staying committed to one's goals, no matter the hurdles.He also touches on his passion for closing the economic gap and creating housing opportunities through RISE, emphasizing the significance of giving back to the community. Additionally, Herby discusses his role as Chair of the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts and the importance of supporting strong leadership within the organization.Episode Highlights:15:30 - Curiosity, which is a big thing for me, a big word that I would like to talk about,. Curiosity, that's something that's always kind of a part of me, feeling like I want to know more. I want to learn more. 21:45 - Five years ago, a former client of mine, who's my business partner right now, called me and said, "Hey, Herby. What are you doing? Can I come see you in the office?" I said, "Yeah." He came to see my office and he said, "Let's do a business together. I'll do construction because I know construction very well. You can do the development side, and then we call it RISE together," which is he has a RISE Construction part of the business, and I do the RISE Development side of the business. So that's how we come together. Part of it is, one, not just to close the wealth gap, but really to try to create, you know, we have a housing crisis in the state, how we can create more housing and opportunity for people.23:03 - Without that opportunity, I would not be in this position that I'm in right now because I'm really able to get in, because I could not afford to pay the full rent. To be able to go to school, driving a cab, and then really pay as little as I can because I couldn't do that. So that's why development is always a big thing for me.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with Herby DuvernéLinkedInRise BostonWindwalker Group

Welcome to a riveting episode of Entering The Inspiration Zone with your host, Juliette Mayers. In this episode, Juliette sits down with Elzie D. Flenard III, the renowned Mayor of Podcast Town and a beacon of inspiration in the industry. Together, they explore Elzie's incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming a podcasting powerhouse, amplifying voices that matter, and empowering entrepreneurs around the word.Listen in as Elzie shares valuable insights on the power of mindset, clarity of purpose, and the importance of self-mastery in achieving success. Discover how Elzie's Podcast Academy is democratizing podcasting and creating a platform for all voices to be heard.Join us as we uncover the keys to enhancing leadership, fostering inclusivity, and making a lasting impact in the world of podcasting with the one and only Elzie Flenard III. Stay tuned for an episode filled with wisdom, inspiration, and a roadmap to entrepreneurial excellence.Episode Highlights:05:04 - Eventually one of my guests said, "You know, Elzie, you're pretty decent at this whole podcast thing. You should help other people do it."07:30 - Transformation, it happens based on 3 things: your level of education times your level of motivation times your level of inspiration, that equals your level of transformation.09:17 - I've found that no matter what you do, how you do it is the thing that matters most.17:16 - The biggest thing that I always like to leave people with is self-mastery on a surface, people will look at it and they say, "Well, that's selfish." But really, there's a reason why when you're on an airplane and they're giving you the safety instructions. They say if, the Lord forbid, the oxygen masks come down, put yours on first. Because if you don't and you can't breathe, then you're no good to anyone else.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with ElzieLinkedInEmail

Juliette Mayers is joined by Leverett Wing, Executive Director of the Commonwealth Seminar, a trailblazing advocate for marginalized communities. Leverett's extensive experience in public service, including being the first Asian American staff member at the Massachusetts State House, and his numerous awards make him the perfect guest to delve into empowering communities of color. Leverett discusses the historical power dynamics that have pitted minority communities against each other, highlighting the model minority myth, immigration policies, and the need for diverse education. Tune in to learn about the importance of solidarity among people of color, the work of the Commonwealth Seminar, self-education about one's history, and taking control of your narrative through thought leadership. Don't miss this chance to learn how to shape your community's future through civic engagement.Get inspired and get involved to be a part of positive change! Episode Highlights:06:48 - Our 20th anniversary kickoff celebration is called, "In the room and at the table," and because that's where our communities need to be. It's not good enough to just be in the room. You have to be actually at the table when decisions are made, so you can voice your opinion. You can give your perspective. You can influence decision-makers.12:52 - The reason I do all this writing and the reason I do a lot of these podcasts is because we need to share our stories. Because the traditional media, the traditional outlets don't often cover or want to cover, or just traditionally don't cover these types of stories. And so, we as communities need to tell our stories jointly. And we need to tell stories of solidarity. We need to tell stories of collaboration.14:20 - It starts with the youth. It starts with educating young people, whether it's high school or college, but most importantly, at the elementary school level, so that they know that we've been, from a very young age, that we've all been working together.Contact Links Juliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpLeverett WingEmail-Leverett WingEmail-Commonwealth SeminarCommonwealth Seminar website

Juliette engages with the visionary Shellee Mendes to uncover the secrets of resilience and success in this episode. From humble beginnings to owning two esteemed salons on Newbury Street, Shellee shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversities and making remarkable strides in the business and beauty industry.They explore Shellee's transformative decisions, from venturing into cosmetology to handling the unique challenges faced during economic downturns like the 9/11 aftermath and the pandemic. With an unmatched passion for networking and community involvement, Shellee also delves into the pivotal role these elements have played in her sustained success and influence.Episode Highlights:06:08 - The pandemic slowed us down business wise. I actually started my business after 9/11, but I did work on Newbury Street for 9/11, and things like that really slowed down business.10:05 - When someone comes to my salon, it's not just the style. I examine their hair, their scalp. Probably after 10 years of being here, I really became intrigued with the scalp, the follicles, and the bulb that the hair grows out of. And I realized sulfate shampoos that we are washing our hair with are not just damaging our hair. They're damaging our hair from the root, the follicles.10:59 - My vision for the future is to instill a little bit more education into hair and cosmetology schools. I feel that's important. I learned it after cosmetology school, but it's the reason why so many women, men, and especially women of color are losing their hair. So, I would love to see a stronger education in cosmetology schools.12:31 - I really feel that mentoring is extremely important. Sometimes we can be selfish and not want other people to get ahead, but, honestly, it comes from my heart. And what I do, I do it from my heart. And half the things I do, I don't even remember when people tell me. I'm like, "Oh, wow. Yeah. Okay." But when you do it from the heart, you're not counting how many people you've helped in the past.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with ShelleeWebsite Salon Monét InstagramContact Salon Monét

Juliette talks with visionary leader, Eneida Roman, about the transformative power of Amplify Latinx in fostering Latino economic empowerment. Eneida shares insight into the organization's mission to propel the visibility of Latino leaders and the growth of Latino-owned businesses, emphasizing community involvement and public policy advocacy. Eneida also discusses Amplify Latinx's strategic initiatives designed to uplift an entire community by amplifying less visible leaders and supporting micro businesses. Episode Highlights: 07:36 - Expanding Outreach in the Latino Community: "Because we understood that the Latino community is the fastest growing population in the nation. And if we're only looking at women, we're missing out on half of that significant growth." 09:46 - Leadership and Economic Empowerment: "We really have honed in on supporting Latino-owned businesses, helping them obtain access to procurement opportunities and access to capital." 14:40 - Empowering Growth: "Because at the end of the day, Latino prosperity is American prosperity because when a community does well, everybody does well. 17:59 - Impact of Recent Supreme Court Ruling on DEI: "And now there's been a ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that limits that progress somewhat and that has given pause to many leaders about what to do next." 18:36 - Promoting progress for the American economy is about giving equal opportunity, then let's do that. Right? Let's make sure that we are looking at what our country looks like and making sure that we're not giving preference to anybody. We're just looking at what the landscape is like and what we need to do as leaders, as business leaders, to ensure that the next generations do well.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with EneidaWebsite Email: Info@amplifylatinx.com

Juliette talks with diversity powerhouse Colette Phillips about the untold narratives of white male allies in the movement for equity. Colette details the seven traits of culturally savvy anti racist leaders from her book, The Includers, as they delve deep into the uncharted territory of inclusion while challenging the status quo.Colette brings her unique blend of cultural intelligence and heartfelt anecdotes from her own experiences as a trailblazer in the field. Episode Highlights:10:10 - I believe very strongly that one your network is your net worth and number two that people do business with people they know, people they like, and people they feel add value.10:53 - Get Konnected was born out of a necessity to see diversity reflected in every room, at every event. Face-to-face networking, to me, is the backbone of creating lasting, valuable relationships – it's where opportunities are seized and solidified.19:24 - If we are going to move the dial on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in this country we cannot do so and exclude white men from the conversation or from the table, it just does not make sense.22:32 - Eric and Bob's work behind the scenes illustrates the silent yet impactful role of allyship. Their efforts epitomize the courage and commitment needed to facilitate real change in our society.29:00 - The concept of the '7 C’s of Inclusion'. Building bridges requires certain foundational qualities. It all starts with character — without it, you can't hope to genuinely promote diversity.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksConnect with ColetteColette Phillips Communications, Inc WebsiteLink to More Information on Colette Phillips

Juliette sits down with Lesli Suggs, President and CEO of The Home For Little Wanderers. Lesli shares her inspirational journey of advocating for at-risk children and families for over 35 years.Lesli's commitment to community service and the power of relationship-building shines through as she shares her leadership lessons and offers practical advice for leveraging networks and building authentic connections.Episode Highlights06:34 - Education is the great equalizer and we'll never have equal access to education if we continue to fund education through property taxes.08:49 - We've come to understand and know that child welfare does not do a good job of raising children. It's there to provide a critical service for children who need it, children who experienced abuse and neglect.16:24 - To have influence, people have to be able to want to listen to me, be able to listen to me, which means I need to be in a relationship and have connection. And the power of relationships having being authentically interested in other people's journeys and what they have to say and their own perspectives, which may be similar to mine or different.19:08 - Mentoring is sort of a strange word, I think, actually, because it implies that somebody's mentoring the other person. I always find that relationships that are connected in that way are so reciprocal. I learned everyone learn where I still have folks that I reach out to all the time who mentor me.ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect With Lesli SuggsLinkedIn

In this episode, the spotlight is on the remarkable Tonie Leatherberry as she shares her insights on the journey from transition to transformation. Join Juliette and Tonie as they explore the power of strategic networking and the importance of investing early and often in yourself. Tonie's personal framework for navigating transitions and transformations offers valuable guidance for professionals and leaders. Tune in as they discuss the significance of rebranding and crafting a new value proposition, especially in the current evolving landscape. Episode Highlights10:07 - Setting Goals During Challenging Times: "I start with a time frame or a date in mind. And so if you were to think about it on a piece of paper, it's a vertical line that says, by this date, I want to be here. I wanna be at this destination in my journey."14:56 - The Lifelong Learning Journey: "Well, becoming a student again after 30 years, just even knowing with what some of the tools were and how to do plagiarism checks, and and we might laugh about that today, but now we realize how important being on top of some of that stuff really is."18:59 - Reflections on Career Transition: "And there's a little bit of fear of the unknown, right, around that. And so I had to just be faithful, I guess, is the basic way of saying it to say I'm financially secure. So what are the fears? What are the fears? Are the fears, you know, sort of a lack of identity because this has been my identity for 30 years? Are the fears a lack of, again, continuing for me to grow and to learn and to experience? Are the fears related to just sort of, you know, as, as particularly as women of a certain vintage or becoming women of a certain vintage, thinking about I'm closing a certain chapter and, you know, I'm going on to the next chapter. But then I just said, let it flow for me. I didn't over think it. I just let it flow."25:59 - Leadership Through Strategic Networking: "strategic networking is about investing in. It's not about showing up at some gala or some conference and meeting people. But it is that is a leadership opportunity. How can you lead? How can you be on their board? How can you create a certain program within that not for profit organization that is investing in?"ContactConnect with JulietteLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-UpConnect With Dr Tonie LeatherberryLinkedIn

In this captivating episode, Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, opens up about the interconnectedness of oral health and overall wellness and shines a light on the communities often overlooked in the healthcare system. Join us as we unravel the complexities of oral health and the important connection to overall health. Delve into the significance of equity in healthcare, and explore actionable steps towards a more inclusive future. Myechia also talks about the important work of The New Commonwealth Fund. Tune in to learn more. Episode Highlights: 07:57 - The Missing Connection: It’s more than just a smile. Our oral health is intricately linked to our overall well-being. Addressing oral health is among the initial steps in achieving holistic healthcare for all. 10:58 - Breaking the Stigma: Engaging in open conversations and acknowledging the barriers to oral healthcare is essential in paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. 18:11 - Shaping the Future: By amplifying the voices of marginalized communities, we can create a system that truly serves everyone. Let's bridge the gap and revolutionize healthcare together. Contact show host and guest: Connect with Juliette LinkedIn Website Juliette's Books Inspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up Connect With Myechia LinkedIn CareQuest Institute for Oral HealthThe New Commonwealth Fund

In this thought-provoking episode, Juliette Mayers delves into the compelling theme of prioritizing yourself. Drawing from her extensive experience as an accomplished author, speaker, and DEI strategist, Juliette unpacks the importance of having a big dream and integrating self-care into the pursuit of that dream.Juliette shares insights from her own journey as a DEI strategist, emphasizing the need for professionals to prioritize their wellness and mental health. She reflects on the struggles faced by individuals, particularly amidst the challenges of work-life balance, burnout, and the endless to-do list. Through her own experiences and interactions with business owners, Juliette highlights the frustration many face in finding time to pursue their goals while juggling personal and professional responsibilities.Tune in to this empowering episode as Juliette Mayers sheds light on the importance of prioritizing oneself, setting boundaries, and honoring individual values in the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.Episode Highlights:03:05 - Prioritizing Professional Development: "The journey that we've been on and the way in which we have been approaching things is to acknowledge that those challenges are really not new. And so how do we make sure that we just modify our strategies and so forth to go forward?"08:17 - Struggles of Finding Balance: "The struggle to find balance. And therefore, there's a sense that there's simply no time to pursue aspirational goals or passions, whether that's personal or professional."10:08 - "How are you going to hold yourself accountable? How are you going to monitor and measure your effectiveness or your success? So some people were candid in saying, you know what? That all sounds really, really exhausting, and we're already tired."16:44 - "When you are clear about what is expected, your are training others to change their behaviors."17:18 -  "We have to train people to prioritize us and we first, have to prioritize ourselves."Contact LinksJuliette MayersLinkedInWebsiteJuliette's BooksInspiration Zone Newsletter Sign-Up