The Create and Grow Podcast

Terrible twos, temper tantrums, and grocery store meltdowns are usually the first things that come to mind when people think of toddlers. But pediatric emergency medicine physician and researcher Dr. Hasan Merali has long thought toddlers are among the best people in our society and adults could do well to learn from them. These extraordinary youngsters can be impulsive, yes, but with this comes a remarkable ability to take risks and ask questions—two qualities that can help us enjoy life more. Toddlers act kindly toward strangers, are eager to work with others to solve problems, and demonstrate extraordinary dedication and perseverance. These are all traits that many of us aspire to have. In his new book, Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas, Dr. Merali shows us the many ways in which acting like a toddler can help us improve both our personal and professional lives.Hasan Merali, MD, MPH, is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University and a pediatric emergency medicine physician at McMaster Children’s Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and Master of Public Health degree from Johns Hopkins University. His research focuses on child injury prevention in low- and middle-income countries. He has published more than twenty-five peer-reviewed journal articles, and his work has been featured in The New York Times, BBC, Science, Medium, The Boston Globe, NBC, CBC, and Popular Science.To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/To learn more about Hasan, visit:https://hasanmerali.com/,https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasan-merali/,https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/15/well/live/tips-happiness-mental-health-well-being.html,https://www.greatplacetowork.com/resources/blog/5-workplace-well-being-lessons-from-toddlers,https://medium.com/authority-magazine/author-hasan-meral-five-things-business-leaders-can-do-to-create-a-fantastic-work-culture-784ba24b415eListen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Do you need a story on how to defy gravity and find creative inspiration? Entering into the world of theatre in the middle of her high school career, Canyon High School senior Marley Garner surprised onlookers as she won gold at the Jerry Herman Awards last month at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles. Marley Garner, who was nominated for “Best Actor,” competed against actors from 40 schools, even having the chance to perform on stage.Marley has dealt with anxiety disorder and ADHD and felt that the arts were a way for her to better process her lived experience and direct her energy. She discusses how being in the arts was an avenue to find her strengths and abilities and learn how to understand her emotions. Genein and Marley discuss how the arts should be a communication method for all people, especially youth, who are still formulating their autobiographical memories and identity.Taking on Hollywood, Garner traveled to New York City in the summer for the National High School Musical Theatre Jimmy Awards. Even though she didn’t win the event, she experienced the trip of a lifetime and found her calling…telling stories from the stage.Join us as we talk arts, emotional intelligence and having a growth mindset for our youth and for adults. Garner joined Canyon’s theater program as a sophomore, and has performed in a variety of roles, such as “Bart” in “Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play,” “Squealer” in “Animal Farm,” “Kate” in “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Mimi” in Rent, and most recently, “Tony” in “West Side Story.” She is headed to Pepperdine University and majoring in musical theater to further her craft.To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Want to add more artistry and creative thinking in your life? Josh and his team created a way to usher it in.Josh founded Messier, a "Headspace for creativity" platform, to help people be their most creative selves. He came to the idea after two decades of working demanding jobs while striving to maintain a vibrant creative life. The Messier team includes some of the leading voices in creativity psychology, led by Dr. James C. Kaufman. While his day jobs have always been in renewable energy and climate, Josh is a songwriter, founder of the band Boy in the Bubble, father of two girls, and husband to a fiction writer.To learn more about Messier, visit:https://www.instagram.com/getmessier/To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Jackie Mattox, who is the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer for Women in Electronics, believes women in tech fields need a place to connect, create, and uplift each other.Jackie has always had a heart for people, especially for women’s issues along with a dedication to personal and professional leadership development. Jackie had a vision for women rising into leadership roles in the Electronics Industry and founded Women in Electronics in 2017, which is now a thriving global non-profit organization. Jackie Mattox is the CEO and Founder of Women in Electronics, a 501C3 nonprofit, dedicated to expanding the opportunities for women in the electronics industry, industrial industry, and related markets. Women in Electronics, or WE as it is commonly known, is made up of 3 program pillars, (1) leadership development, (2) mentorship, and (3) community. Jackie was named in Start-Ups Magazine as one of the Top 21 Female Influencers in September 2021. Join us as Jackie shares the journey of women, creative thinking, and the future of work for us all.To learn more about Women in Electronics, visit:https://www.womeninelectronics.com/To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

The only thing constant is change. Nicole Andrews is a thought leader whose personal philosophy is that life is a collection of our experiences and reflected by our service to others. She focuses on the culture, DEI and the intersections of the elements needed for a successful educational and life experiences. Though her expertise is early childhood development and brain health for developing brains, her expertise can be applied to all stages of life. Genein and Nicole discuss the effects of family culture, language, the arts and experiential learning in the classroom and workroom. Nicole Andrews has dedicated  16+ years to serving as an educator, mental health professional, DEI consultant, and parent. As CEO and President of HomeGrown LLC, Nicole has developed programming and curriculum that amplified marginalized voices, partnered with E-12 schools, colleges, and business to provide skills training, and hosted community events that boosted visibility s an answer to the challenges of a changing business and education landscape that has a stronger focus on social emotional skills. Nicole was the recipient of Rochester, MN Mayor’s Excellence in Education Award. She continues to serve as a director on several non-profit organizations in her region.  To learn more about Nicole, visit:https://www.homegrownllc.org/homegrownllc21@gmail.comTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Mahogany discusses the journey of fulfilling her design career and how she incorporated a growth mindset to navigate the ups and downs of high school and college life. She is a woman in the architecture field, so maintaining confidence and  grit while being an example for young artists all around her has been a challenge but rewarding as well. Join us as she drops some gems on how to enjoy the art of discovery!Mahogany Angelina is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. Growing up in the lowcountry Mahogany has been an evolving artist taking on mediums such as paint, color pencil, pen and ink, and digital platforms. After graduating high school in 2019 her creativity had grown into the form of structure. Mahogany graduated from Clemson university in the Spring of 2023 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Architecture, and is now continuing on in her 1st year of graduate school with the university.To Learn more about Mahogany, visit:Instagram:@prodigiousartsbym.a.c. Instagram: @mahogany.angelinaTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Who says you need to lay down your creative pen when retirement comes? Mike Dougherty has just published his first novel in the second act of life. It is a slice of life tail that has been called heartwarming, and real. His fiction day is a gentle story written with the wisdom that comes with the gift of age. Como flats delivers that through an authentic set of characters, navigating into their twilight, years with humor, acceptance, and a healthy amount of cynicism. Mike continues to contribute and challenge his mind, even as he enjoys the elderly years.Mike Dougherty has been an attorney by profession, a beer hawker by trade, and now a writer out of love. His first novel, Como Flats, was written from the experiences of the colorful characters he got to know in the local tavern of his neighborhood, the south Como area of Saint Paul, where he first moved with his wife, Ann, 35 years ago to attend law school.To learn more about Mike Dougherty,visit:Website:dortylaw@msn.comFacebookhttps://www.facebook.com/mike.dougherty.7169To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

We know that the Power of the Pause is a creative skill but it is also a cultural competence and leadership skill. Knowing how to pause to get your executive function back online, ground yourself and assess the situation with clear observation is a key skill in this future of work. Kim, who has led many senior leaders and organizations to success, talks about this simple strategy that has profound effects. Listen in for gems to reset your focus, improve your creativity and strengthen your relationships. Just pause and listen!Kim Groshek is an elite business strategist and mental health coach known as the “Pause Lady.” Kim works with high-achieving professionals to become more successful and happy through a simple pause that helps ignite more focused results. Kim's professional journey includes 35 years of leadership, innovation, and corporate transformation. She has excelled at project management, organizational design, and leadership coaching across diverse sectors, including healthcare, banking, credit unions, higher Education, manufacturing, government, and start-ups, showcasing her ability to drive impactful organizational changes and establish robust systems and processes.To learn more about Kim Groshek, visit:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kim-Groshek/author/B00325XE44?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1704277617&sr=8-2&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true &https://soundbits.simplecast.comhttps://kimgroshek.com & https://journal.happyheartzone.comTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

For Women's History Month, we are asking the question, 'Why should you be like a pineapple?' Annie Meehan, an international speaker, eight time author and inspirational coach talks with Genein about the skills needed to thrive in an ever changing world. Thinking metaphorically is a creative skill so Annie brings in her metaphor of being a pineapple to encourage leaders, and our listeners, on how to bring their top game to the workforce. She gives insightful tips for becoming a national speaker as well. Join us for her gems of wisdom and be inspired to pineapple your way to the top.OUR GUEST:Annie Meehan, Professional Speaker CSP, Certified Coach and Award Winning Author. An author of eight personal development books, her work includes the award-winning ‘Be The Exception’ book. One of her books, The Pineapple Principle, offers hospitality and a sweet journey to an exceptional customer experience. Today, her passion is to share her "H3 Cultures" concept with companies to help them create a Hopeful, Healthy, and Happy workplace that retains an engaged workforce! Meehan has three adult children and lives in the Orlando, FL, area, with her husband Greg. She enjoys being an active member of her community by volunteering, going on adventures with her family, and taking Leo, her beloved pup, for strolls.To learn more about Annie Meehan,visit:https://www.anniemeehan.com/https://www.amazon.com/stores/Annie-Meehan/author/B018UWZAOU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1705351345&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Being able to build elements of your world is a part of being imaginative. Budsies is a company that allows children and adults to send in images or a selfie and create a 3 D plushie and bring their story to life! I talk with Scott Meier, the CEO of Budsies, about his creative adventures, social innovation methods and how he feels Budsies is a  perfect way to address the emotional and mental health challenges society is facing today. Listen in for great examples of what it means to ‘create the life you want;.OUR GUEST:Scott Meier, CEO of Budsies, Petsies, and Stuffed Animal Pros. As owner / CEO of the Budsies Companies, Scott Meier brings a forward-thinking perspective on creativity, content creation, and IP to the world of toys and customization. Scott Meier has directed, been a showrunner, produced, and marketed film and television projects including features, short films, music videos, and documentaries in Spanish and English-speaking markets for over 15 years.To learn more about Scott, visit:Website: Budsies.com Website: MyPetsies.com Website: StuffedAnimalPros.com Website: Waggables.comTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Anne Jacoby is on a mission to cultivate creativity at work. A professional performer turned MBA and entrepreneur, Anne has been building businesses and driving positive culture change within organizations for over 20 years. She's the CEO and founder of the culture consultancy Spring Street. Her new book, Born to Create, shares how you can apply creativity to spark connection, innovation, and belonging in our new world of work.A former singer, actor, dancer, and storyteller, Anne Jacoby spent the beginning of her career in the performing arts before taking a full-time job at a start-up. As employee #7 at Axiom, she helped launch the firm globally across 14 different offices. After spending nearly 13 years at Axiom, Anne moved to RGP where she was VP of Learning, Development, and Culture, partnering to activate its refreshed corporate brand and transforming the business to prioritize learning. With an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business, Anne is passionate about helping tams work more effectively and adopt a creativity culture. She is an advocate for arts education for young people and proudly supports her alma mater, the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Anne lives in Southern California with her husband and two creative kids. Her book, Born to Create, helps individuals and companies spark more creativity to achieve more connection and fulfillment in work and life.To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Everything around you can influence your mindset and creativity. Mark McCormick is an avid observer and storyteller and his field of work ahas put him front and center of some of the most biggest influencers. During this podcast, we talked about how personal surroundings affect creativity. We also discuss his role in the book, ‘Bye Bye Barry’ about the retirement of superstar athlete Barry Sanders during his prime. One of the greatest thought leaders in the journalism field, Mark shares his perspective on story, justice and allowing people to shine bright with creative thinking.Mark McCormick is a  NY Times bestselling author with nearly 30 years of experience as a journalist. I was a daily newspaper journalist for about 20 when I had to reinvent myself and become the top executive in a museum with a state-wide reach. I’m now Deeply Executive Director for the ACLU affiliate in Kansas. And believe that Democracy is more than voting. It is about belonging. I have chapters in two textbooks used in universities nationwide. Two of my recent projects (under the same name, “Bye, Bye Barry”) are number one on Amazon and Prime respectively.To learn more about Mark, visit:Kansasreflector.comhttps://bmecommunity.org/To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Creativity is now one of the top skills needed in the world and it is imagination that will drive that creativity. Dr. Ackerbauer discusses how creativity development will take shape in this next future of work. From balancing rocks in his free time to cultivating creative thinking in the top teams in corporate, Dr Ackerbauer shares his wisdom on how to foster this innate gift in all of us for this future of work.Michael Ackerbauer is a Business Transformation Leader for IBM Client Engineering. He partners with organizational leaders to humanize their digital transformation. A seasoned innovator and intrapreneur, Michael makes complex leadership concepts easy to understand and simple to apply. He holds a master’s degree in Applied Imagination and a doctorate in Creative Leadership and recently published his first book. Macker is also a certified rock balancer, which is now a TEDx talk.Michael Ackerbauer is a Business Transformation Leader in the IBM Sales Client Engineering organization, where he links business leaders to cloud technology solutions to accelerate their digital transformation. As a seasoned innovator and intrapreneur, Dr. Macker specializes in making complex concepts easy to understand and simple to apply to maximize creative capability. He holds a master’s degree in Applied Imagination and a doctorate in Creative Leadership for Innovation and Change. He recently published his first book, In the Cave of Adullam: Songs of Lockdown - Reflections on the Psalms and Proverbs. Dr. Macker is also a certified rock balancer.To learn more about Michael Ackerbauer, visit:https://ibm.biz/macker-tedxhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUXr42uvEEQ&t=300sTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

NeuroSomatic Creativity® is an important component of leadership. So we invited a thought leader in Neuro-Somatic Intelligence to highlight how the body is connected with the mind and brain. She lectures and teaches on Neurotheology - How our belief systems live in our nervous systems. She unites the contemporary science of her 30 years as a healthcare provider specializing in the vagus nerve with the ancient science of how we embody the planets, stars, and the enduring stories associated with them.Melanie Weller is a neurotheologist with a lot of helping healthcare professionals and organizations identify and transform how their belief systems live in their nervous systems. She is a licensed Physical Therapist, a Certified Athletic Trainer, and is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist.Melanie is the host of the Fearless Presence podcast and the co-creator of Neuro-Somatic Intelligence where she trains coaches and healthcare professionals. A new collaboration, Neuro Readiness Experts, is bringing a leading-edge suicide prevention program to the military. Melanie hosts Neurotheology retreats where she bridges modern and ancient science for radical transformation.  Her book, Fearless Presence, will be out in 2024.She lives on the parade route in New Orleans with her husband and occasionally her two adult children.To learn more about Melanie Weller,visit:https://www.melanieweller.com/To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Talking about diversity and inclusion has taken on an interesting spotlight in the last few months. Shakil Choudhuryis a thought leader in the space and has an interesting take on teaching inclusion as a skill. With an educational background, his approach to helping people with the skills of increasing cultural competence resonates with Intercultural Creativity. Shakil Choudhury is an award-winning educator, consultant and author with over 25 years of experience in the field of racial justice, diversity and inclusion. He coaches executive teams and has worked with thousands of leaders across sectors in Canada and the United States to help improve their equity outcomes. Shakil also facilitates dialogue processes to resolve inter-group conflict, having led projects internationally as well as with organizations locally. He is the author of Deep Diversity: A Compassionate, Scientific Approach to Achieving Racial Justice. Written in an accessible, storytelling manner, many have called it a “breakthrough” book on issues of systemic racial discrimination due to its non- judgmental approach that integrates human psychology with critical race perspectives. Shakil’s most challenging and rewarding management experience, however, involves his two high-spirited children repeatedly teaching him the humble lessons of fatherhood. To clear his head during the week, Shakil loves to run the beautiful ravine trails near his home in Toronto.To learn more about Shakil, visit:https://animaleadership.com/https://greystonebooks.com/products/deep-diversityhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shakil-choudhury-71a38b19b/To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Empathy drives so many of our decisions, especially our creative thinking. Dr. Joe discusses the importance of building empathy in leadership and why it is a critical component of Intercultural Creativity® and Prismatic Leadership. Joe Pazmany, Ed. D., CEO of Innovade Inc., Professor of Leadership Studies at Chapman UniversityTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

We are whole beings. So in order for people to thrive, their whole selves need to be attended to. This includes our mental health, which is a top concern for the workplace. It is also a large concern for our creative health as well. Terence Tillman is a thought leader and coach in the areas of mental health, men’s emotional regulation and human development.With a charismatic presence in the world of podcasting, Terence leverages the medium to spark conversations that inspire change. Through “Conversations Of The Heart”, Terence engages listeners in meaningful dialogues about mental health, personal development, and societal transformation.Committed to mental health advocacy, Terence raises awareness and breaks down barriers through informative talks, articles, and community engagement. Drawing from personal experience, Terence fosters empathy and encourages men and women to inventory their gifts and abilities, strengthen their internal tools and live their best lives. Listen to the wealth of wisdom that he shares!Terence Tillman, Podcast Host, Certified Life Coach, Talent Acquisition Professional, Speaker & Mental Health Advocate.To learn more about Terence visit:https://www.youtube.com/@conversationsofthehearthttps://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/conversationsofthehearthttps://www.ttillinspires.comTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

Since people are living and working longer there is a multiple generational overlap in our workforce. The way members of various generations learn, interact, respond to challenges and create changes.In this podcast episode, Genein Letford invites her former elementary students, who are now in their early 20’s, to talk about the changes in the workforce, their workforce focus and the discussion on generational leadership. They also discuss how their formative years helped shape their adult mindset on leadership, networking and taking risks.Kenia Ventura is a second year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo pursuing Business Administration, and concentrating in accounting. In being part of the Latinx Business Student Association, and serving as the Director of External Affairs, she is also a Summer 2023 EY Launch Intern.  Currently, she is the Assistant Executive Director/Social Media Manager at Alumni360, a mentorship program that supports middle and high school students. Her goal is to intern where she’ll be surrounded by an environment where underrepresented and vulnerable groups are treated equitably and ethically, and there's value in encouraging advocacy.Katherine Menendez is a Specialist at the UC Davis Center for Regional Change (CRC). She has worked as a Mentor for Alumni360. She is currently working on projects stemmed in social security net, transportation equities, youth participatory action research (YPAR) and other sectors. Her emphasis is prioritizing working with and for the community.Lizbeth Paz is a student at California State University, Northridge, pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Business Analytics with a minor in Business Management. Mathematics and numbers in business-related contexts are her passion, and she enjoys spreading her knowledge with others as a Mathematics Instructional Student Assistant. Furthermore, as an Outreach Assistant at Alumni360, a mentorship program dedicated to developing the financial, professional, and creative skills of students in all grade levels, Lizbeth's goal is to engage with students through various communication channels to guide them through available resources to aid with professional growth.Emails:kmenendez@ucdavis.edulizbeth.paz.749@my.csun.edukeniaventura2004@gmail.comTo learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

How did self imposed mute Tori Danner, who grew up in the Middle East, turn out to be a Hollywood actress who regularly appears on television? Tori shares her dynamic story of the uncovering of hidden potential.  Genein highlights the gems of her story and shows how leaders can pull out the hidden talents and gifts of their team members through highlighting how it happened in Tori’s journey. Laugh, cry, and listen in to see how you can increase your creative leadership and observational skills. Tori Danner, a graduate of the MFA Acting program in CalArts, is an LA based Actor, Voice Artist, Writer and Producer who was Born in Nigeria and raised in the Middle East, spending 23 of her life in Kuwait. She focused her last few years there as a Talk Show Host on a national television Station and Radio Broadcaster. She’s known for her ongoing role- Morenike in CBS’s hit sitcom Bob Hearts Abishola.To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/

AI is here and we believe it can help us be more efficient, more creative and get more work done. Jennifer Bittinger shares how AI is helping industries across sectors as well as in her industry of healthcare reporting. She’s not talking about AI replacing humans but helping humans do their job better and with more efficiency so humans can do what makes us human; create, connect and contribute. With 20 years of experience in tech, media, marketing and public relations, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and leadership helping brands grow to their highest potential utilizing her experience with digital marketing, demand generation, data reporting and brand development. Jennifer now serves as the President of Narrativa, one of the fastest growing artificial intelligence (AI) companies that specializes in automating transformative content (i.e. articles, white papers, reporting and more) for multiple industries, including Media, Marketing, Gaming, Finance and Life Sciences. Throughout her career, she specialized as a multi-faceted VP of Marketing and Branded Content Specialist serving many clients, including Entertainment Tonight, Dr. Phil, Cesar Millan, TBS, Hulu, Beliefnet, OWN, San Francisco Giants, Chevron, ExxonMobile, and more.To learn more, visit:https://caffestrategies.com/Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:https://missionmatters.com/author/genein-letford/