Stay ConnectedFirst impressions can take only 6 seconds to make! But if you’re neurodivergent, those quick judgments about you can be misleading.
That’s where the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast comes in! Join me, Carolyn Kiel, as I talk with neurodivergent entrepreneurs, creators, advocates & more about their lives and identities. Their stories shatter misconceptions, break stigma and showcase the vibrance of neurodiversity.
Natasha Nurse is a licensed attorney by trade who held various stints in the corporate world prior to making a foray into fashion, writing, media and entrepreneurship. Natasha started Dressing Room 8 to provide a web-based resource where women can gain personal and professional empowerment through her fashion and lifestyle focused blog, consultation and coaching services. She is also the Program Coordinator for Long Island Girl Talk, a Long Island community-based start-up program that teaches teenage girls of color how to produce, direct and star in their own television show about women's issues in their communities. Recently, she partnered with her husband to create the podcast WokeNFree, where they have fun, informed and thought-provoking conversations on different topic each week.
Natasha discusses the winding path of her career, starting with her interest in veterinary science, followed by graduating law school and working in document review, legal recruiting, legal education & sales -- and how realizing her true desire to be creative, innovative, and empowered in her career (and to empower other women as well) led her to a new path of entrepreneurship.
She also shares valuable advice about:
Natasha also shares how Long Island Girl Talk, where young women collaborate to create all aspects of their own television shows, is a huge boost to their levels of confidence and self-worth.
We also talk about how the WokeNFree podcast invites listeners to think about issues from different viewpoints and engages them in interesting conversations.
Connect with Natasha via email, her website www.dressingroom8.com, or on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. You can also listen to the WokeNFree podcast at www.wokenfree.com.
Natasha's full bio:
As a New Yorker, born and raised, Natasha is used to bumping into people from all walks of life daily, which makes it easy for her to accomplish her goal of meeting someone new and learning something new each and every day. A licensed attorney by trade, Natasha held various stints in the corporate world prior to making a foray into fashion and writing. Having been a victim of bullying as a child growing up, Natasha learned to seek out fashion as a source of strength early on and actively uses it as a personal means of empowerment; because of her own experiences with bullying and her strong desire to help others within the plus size community, Natasha started Dressing Room 8 to provide a web-based resource where women can gain personal and professional empowerment through her fashion and lifestyle focused blog, consultation and coaching services. Dressing Room 8 helps women learn how to think with clarity, dress with confidence, and live with purpose.
Not one to stay idle, Natasha loves to keep a full calendar. Aside from running Dressing Room 8, Natasha is an Adjunct Professor at Nassau Community College where she teaches Introduction to Women's Studies. She is the Lifestyle Editor for Plus Model Magazine. She is also the Program Coordinator for Long Island Girl Talk, a Long Island community-based start-up program that teaches teenage girls of color how to produce, direct and star in their own television show about women's issues in their communities. Recently, she partnered with her husband to create the new podcast WokeNFree and she is the host of Our Voices on 90.3 WHPC.
Prior to starting Dressing Room 8, Natasha created the WST Feminist Blog, an open forum for sharing original content, links and creative work addressing cutting-edge women's issues. She is also an animal lover and a big film buff. When she's not traveling or juggling multiple projects, she likes to spend time with her husband Kahlil, cat Toby and dog, J.J. And, she always finds time to indulge in her obsession with elephants.
Gina Marie Agderian is a New Jersey-based, independent author who self-published her first novel in April 2018 titled "The Letters in the Old House." In her novel, a woman at a crossroads in her life discovers mysterious letters in her aunt & uncle's Jersey Shore beach house, then goes on a mission to figure out the story behind the letters while learning about herself in the process.
In this episode, Gina talks about how she finally stopped putting off her childhood dream of writing a novel, and shares her tips for getting started and staying focused on your own writing and other creative passions. She also describes what it's like to self-publish a book, and how self-publishing through Amazon allowed her to write her first novel according to her creative vision.
You can connect with Gina on her website www.gsellsseashells.com and on Instagram @gsellsseashells, and purchase "The Letters in the Old House" on Amazon.
Esther Hofknecht Curtis is a blogger, writer, and content creator who established Parrot Content + Copy to develop her freelance business. She is also the creator of the #GuestBloggerProject, which she hosted in May and October 2018 to provide a platform for writers to share their stories and understand how the project impacts organic social media reach and SEO for the project's host. Based on her experience, she has written a short e-book called "Boost Your Blog with the #GuestBloggerProject: A proven plan to improve your blog's visibility, SEO, and following" to give people the tools they need to host their own #GuestBloggerProject.
On this episode, Esther talks about what she learned from the #GuestBloggerProject, some of the inspirational and surprising stories that people have shared, and how blogging is a unique opportunity to learn more about the people around us. She also shares how this project can help both the host and the guest bloggers increase their online reach and amplify their voices.
Connect with Esther on LinkedIn, learn more about the #GuestBloggerProject, and pick up a copy of Esther's e-book on Amazon!
When you don't have the words, let your gloves say it for you!
Flip 'em the Bird, Inc. is a women-owned, Minnesota based start-up founded by Susie Moschkau and Natalie Buckman. While freezing at their office jobs and looking for some comic relief to combat the day to day challenges of corporate life, Susie and Natalie hatched their idea for Flip 'em the Bird fingerless gloves! After 2 decades of friendship and the dread of turning the big 4-0, they decided it was time to take their hilariousness and sassitude to the masses and launched a brand that is uniquely funny and fashionable.
On this episode, Susie and Natalie share how they got their idea off the ground, what they've learned about business, manufacturing, and social media marketing along the way, and how they give back to the social causes they care about through their "Swearing is Caring" campaign.
Check out the Flip 'em the Bird fingerless gloves at www.flipemthebird.com, connect on Facebook, Twitter @flipem_thebird and Instagram @flipem_thebird, and follow their hashtag #FlipThemBirdsUp !
Professor Marcia McNair is the co-author of Sistas on Fire, an award-winning theatrical performance that addresses pressing social issues from an African-American female perspective.
On this episode, Marcia shares what inspired her to create Sistas on Fire about 10 years ago, and how it evolved from a collection of writings into a theatrical experience that incorporates the spoken word, music and dance. She also shares how Sistas on Fire has connected with people across race, class, gender, religion and cultures, and how it empowers the audience to think and take action about the social issues they care about.
Sistas on Fire will be playing at the East Village Playhouse in New York City from February 22 – March 17, 2019. Buy your tickets at www.sistasonfire.com and visit the website or Facebook page to learn more about the show!
Marcia's full bio:
Marcia McNair, the mother of two sons, grew up in New Jersey and moved to New York shortly after her college graduation. She has lived in both Harlem and Queens, but has resided on Long Island for over twenty years. She earned her bachelor's degree in English from Dartmouth College and her master's degree in Writing from New York University. McNair was an assistant editor at Essence Magazine and is currently an Associate Professor of English, Journalism, and Women's Studies at Nassau Community College. She is the former coordinator of the NCC African American Read-In and a current member of the Black History Month Committee and the Secretary for the Black Women's Initiative (a student retention program).
In addition, she was an adjunct professor of English at Molloy College, where she taught African American Literature, for over five years. She served on the Uniondale Community Council Executive Board for two years. She is the Executive Director and Founder of Long Island Girl Talk, a program for teen girls interested in media, and a co-host on Café Long Island, a public access television series. McNair's essay, It Takes a Lioness to Raise Young Lions, appears in Issues in Feminism/ An Introduction to Women's Studies/Fifth Edition (Mayfield, 2001). Her creative nonfiction story, Before We Were Gangstas, won honorable mention in the National New Millennium Writers Creative Nonfiction contest in 2003 and appears in the anthology, Memoirs in the Light of Day (Lamberson Corona Press, 2008).
In 2006 and 2007, she received a grant from the Long Island Council for the Arts for her collaborative performance, Diary of a Mad Black Feminist, now known as the award-winning Sistas on Fire! Her poem Long Island Just Isn't Long Enough is featured in Seasoned Women (QuadraSoul, 2008), an anthology of women's poetry and performed by Composer Leonard Lehrman at the opening of Hofstra University's Suburban Conference on Diversity in 2009. An excerpt from her first novel, E-Males (Aya Press, 2007), was performed at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 2009 . Her professional memberships include Sigma Delta Chi (the Society of Professional Journalists) and the American Association of University Women.
Samantha Harris is an Emmy-winning entertainment journalist and TV host. Most of you may know Samantha from her eight seasons as the co-host of the hit show, Dancing with the Stars, or her many years as one of the hosts of Entertainment Tonight.
In this podcast, Samantha shares her breast cancer story, which began when she trusted her instinct about a lump that she was told was "nothing." Out of the emotional turmoil of her diagnosis, Samantha and her husband founded the online community Gotta Make Lemonade to help inspire positivity in the face of adversity. She continued to turn her cancer "lemon" into "lemonade" by writing her new book, "Your Healthiest Healthy: 8 Easy Ways to Take Control, Help Prevent & Fight Cancer, and Live a Longer, Cleaner, Happier Life," which debuted as an Amazon bestseller. With research-backed advice, "Your Healthiest Healthy" is a guidebook to identifying and removing toxins from all parts of your life, as well as boosting positivity to support your well-being.
Learn about Samantha's book, "Your Healthiest Healthy" at www.samantha-harris.com/yhh
Book Samantha as a speaker at www.samantha-harris.com
Read the stories on Gotta Make Lemonade at www.gottamakelemonade.com (You can also submit your own story here!)
Follow Samantha on Instagram @SamanthaHarrisTV for a daily dose of positivity.
Rhodes Perry helps business leaders, change agents, and visionaries at all levels cultivate workplace cultures of belonging through his leadership & management consulting firm. He is an award-winning social entrepreneur, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. He is also a nationally recognized LGBTQ thought leader with two decades of government and nonprofit experience, having worked at the White House, PFLAG National, and the City of New York.
In this episode, Rhodes shares what inspired him to pursue a career in diversity, equity and inclusion, his own personal diversity story, and how his book "Belonging At Work" empowers people to take action that will help them create inclusive cultures at their workplaces.
For more information on Rhodes Perry Consulting, LLC, please visit www.rhodesperry.com
Connect with Rhodes on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Google+
Buy Rhodes' book "Belonging At Work" on Amazon
February 2019: Join Rhodes' 30 Day Belonging Challenge
Listen to Rhodes' podcast, The Out Entrepreneur
Rhodes' full bio:
Rhodes Perry, MPA, believes in the power of authenticity at work. He puts this belief into practice by helping business leaders, change agents, and visionaries at all levels cultivate workplace cultures of belonging through his leadership & management consulting firm. He is an award winning social entrepreneur, best-selling author, and sought-after speaker. He is a nationally recognized LGBTQ thought leader with two decades of government and nonprofit experience having worked at the White House, PFLAG National, and the City of New York. Media outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The Associated Press, and The Huffington Post have featured his powerful work as a diversity, equity, and inclusion subject matter expert.
Rhodes also hosts a weekly podcast, The Out Entrepreneur, which has empowered over 35,000 LGBTQ and ally entrepreneurs to pursue their professional passions and build the businesses of their dreams. Rhodes earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Gender Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and a Master of Public Administration from New York University. He spends his free time bicycling world-wide, hanging out with his family in Portland, Oregon, and serves on the Portland Human Rights Commission, the Portland Area Business Association's Board, and the National Diversity Board for Studies Weekly.
This episode features Larry Sprung, the President and Founder of Mitlin Financial, Inc. He also serves on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
On this episode, Larry discusses the critical events in his life that shaped his career and advocacy:
Larry also talks about some of the important work that AFSP is doing to help people "Seize the Awkward" by having potentially life-saving conversations with the people in their lives who may be suicidal, and AFSP's Project 2025, which aims to lower the suicide rate by 20% by the year 2025.
You can get in touch with Larry through the Mitlin Financial website at www.mitlinfinancial.com and learn more about the Keith Milano Memorial Fund at www.keithmilano.org .
You can also find more information about AFSP's work at www.afsp.org and the Seize the Awkward campaign at www.seizetheawkward.org .
Larry's full bio:
Lawrence Sprung CFP® is the President and Founder of Mitlin Financial, Inc. He entered the financial industry in 1996 and continues to be inspired and energized by the challenge of helping his clients achieve and even surpass their financial goals.
Mitlin Financial, Inc. is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) that prides itself on facilitating their client's financial future. Being a fiduciary is a perfect fit for Larry's personality and business perspective as he puts clients first and consistently helps them make decisions that are right for them.
Larry is known as a devoted educator. He is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and regularly films the firm's "Mitlin Minute," which is designed to provided information regarding relevant financial topics.
Today, Larry is proud to be serving the second and third generations of his clients. He has seen first-hand how strong financial habits instilled in parents, children and grandchildren, can impact a family's wealth and wealth stewardship for generations.
As an active volunteer, Larry serves on the National Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). With his wife, Denise, he has raised more than $1,000,000 for the organization through the Keith Milano Memorial Fund. The fund was created at AFSP in memory of Larry and Denise's brother-in-law and brother, respectively.
Larry has been recognized as one of Long Island Business News' "40 Under 40," and his commentary is regularly featured in publications such as Long Island Business News, U.S. News & World Reports, Newsday, Investopedia, Yahoo Finance, and Nasdaq's website.
If you have the pleasure of meeting Mr. Sprung, you will find that he is more often found conversing about AFSP, his sons' or a hockey game. Doing business and creating relationships is at the heart of who Larry is and it is all done with style and grace.
Becky Curran is the Disability Equality Index (DEI) Director at Disability:IN, where she is responsible for managing the overall DEI program. Born with achondroplastic dwarfism, Becky talks about her life & career as an advocate for increasing disability inclusion, including:
You can contact Becky on her website www.BeckyMotivates.com and learn more about her motivational public speaking and her story.
Becky's full bio:
Becky Curran serves as the Disability Equality Index (DEI) Director at Disability:IN. In her current role, she's responsible for managing the overall DEI program.
Becky received her Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Providence College, where she gained a passion for influencing change behind the scenes in the entertainment industry. Upon graduation and after 100 job interviews, Becky started working in the Entertainment Marketing department, followed by the Comedy Touring department, at Creative Artists Agency, the world's leading entertainment and sports agency. Five years later, she worked at CBS Television Studios, where she assisted with the casting of pilots and television series. During this transition, she also served as the Marketing Director and Co-Founding Board Member of the Catalina Film Festival. She also founded DisABILITY In Media, which focuses on positive disability inclusion storytelling through social media.
After her six and a half years of working in the entertainment industry, Becky launched a public speaking business. A prolific public speaker and advocate for disability inclusion on a global scale, she has spoken at over 100 venues, including schools, corporations, nonprofit organizations and government agencies, throughout the United States and Kenya. She's really passionate about disability inclusion in schools, the workplace, and everywhere else.
More recently, she spent three and a half years working in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) & Diversity department at Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the world's largest entertainment union. At SAG-AFTRA, she supported the implementation of a national diversity plan of action to achieve accurate representation of those groups historically excluded from the entertainment and news media.
Becky serves on the Board of Advisors for the National Center For Disability Journalism (NCDJ) at Arizona State University.
Mark Metry is the Host of Humans 2.0, a Top 100 podcast where he interviews billionaires, New York Times bestselling authors, and other legendary world-class human beings. He's also the founder of VU Dream, a virtual and augmented reality marketing & advertising agency based in Boston.
In this episode, Mark talks about his childhood as the son of immigrant parents, and how one of his entrepreneurial ventures as a teenager lifted his family out of poverty. Despite this financial success, he battled severe social anxiety and feelings of hopelessness – then one day, he decided to take responsibility for his life and health. By studying and adopting nutrition, meditation, and other life-changing practices, he started on his path to reaching his full potential, and created his current business and podcast. He shares how he makes initial contact with his high-profile podcast guests, how his interaction with Seth Godin was a breakthrough moment, and how podcasting has changed his life.
Listen and subscribe to the Humans 2.0 podcast at https://www.markmetry.com/humans-2-0-podcast or on your favorite podcast player. You can also connect with Mark on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter or by email at mark@vudream.com .
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