The Curious Middle

Latest Episodes:

One Simple Wish Founder and CNN Hero Danielle Gletow Jun 26, 2020

Show notes

Danielle Gletow was destined to grant wishes. After fostering and then adopting a newborn, Danielle found her life calling. A 2013 CNN Hero, Danielle has devoted herself to finding ways to help more than 400,000 children in foster care. Danielle founded One Simple Wish in 2008 with the goal of granting wishes to children in foster care across the country and those who've aged out of foster care. On One Simple Wish, people can view wishes from foster children and make contributions that make those wish come true. Wishes range from toys to school supplies, music lessons or trips to a theater or pool. Last year, One Simple Wish reached 20,000 youth.

In our conversation, Danielle shares the deeply personal story that led her to foster care, her experiences with the foster system and why the children in the foster system need our attention and support. If you have been thinking of ways to contribute and help others during these challenging times, One Simple Wish was started with the goal of giving people an opportunity to connect with foster kids and easily make meaningful contributions.

Danielle is asking us to go to One Simple Wish and read the stories. She says, "just by you acknowledging their existence and their journey and maybe sharing it with somebody else, or becoming more aware, you then become part of their village." Research studies have shown a strong correlation between foster care and so many other critical issues in our society. Danielle's vision is to connect people with foster kids while bringing light and awareness to the system, that in turn will hopefully lead to positive change. Danielle says, "We need more people recognizing that our foster system is incredibly broken and it is all of our problem." If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with a friend and help us share Danielle's message and goal of helping kids in foster care.

Roots of Peace Founder Heidi Kühn, on Turning Mines to Vines May 29, 2020

Show notes

Heidi Kühn, CEO and founder of Roots of Peace, was raised with a pioneer spirit, love for the earth and humanity. Heidi's commitment to peace was further strengthened during her time attending University of California Berkeley in the 1970's.

After a cancer diagnosis, Heidi made a promise to God to help others. Inspired by Princess Diana's commitment to the removal of landmines, Heidi recovered, and lived up to her promise by founding Roots of Peace with a vision of turning "Mines to Vines" – replacing the remnants of war with bountiful vineyards and orchards of peace around the world. Heidi saw the landmines as a cancer of the earth, and devoted herself to saving lives while preventing people and children from tragic death or crippling injuries.

In Heidi's new book, Breaking Ground: From Landmines to Grapevines, One Woman's Mission to Heal the World, Heidi shares the story of starting Roots of Peace 22 years ago from the basement of her home in Marin County, California. For two decades, Heidi straddled her role as a mother to four children, while growing support for the Roots of Peace vision. With help from local Napa Valley Vintners, her friends, a community of supporters, the United States Government, the United Nations, World Bank and other organizations, Roots of Peace has planted seeds of hope and peace in eight countries around the world.

In our conversation, Heidi shares the faith and mindset that gave her the courage and resilience that helped Roots of Peace thrive and allowed Heidi to overcome her fears. "Faith not fear" was the belief that allowed Heidi to walk through live minefields, make difficult decisions and keep Roots of Peace alive through multiple hardships.

Heidi has been recognized for her work by numerous world leaders, including Kofi Annan, H.H. Pope Benedict XVI, H.H. Pope Francis and many heads of state and government.

Heidi's faith, vision and personal story is likely to give you inspiration to pursue the goals that are calling you. Heidi says, "I believe that once we commit ourselves wholeheartedly to a noble cause, there are higher forces that steer us in a certain direction and that come to our aid when we are in need." After listening to Heidi's story, and reading her book, you may decide it's time to pursue your calling, and this is exactly what Heidi is seeking with her book. Heidi's unwavering belief in a world where children are free to walk without fear of death or injury is a mission we can all support. We hope you enjoy this conversation, read Heidi's book and join her on the mission of restoring mines to vines.

To contact the show reach out to: contact@meantforit.com

Former White House Press Secretary and FOX News Anchor Dana Perino May 20, 2020

Show notes

As President George W. Bush's White House Press Secretary, Dana Perino has mastered the art of handling stress. And, if this were a game of superlatives, you could also say she's most likely to be the most prepared person in any room. She also broke a glass ceiling during her time working in the White House, as during her tenure as White House Press Secretary, she was the first female to serve as a spokesperson in a Republican administration.

Respected across the aisle, Dana was appointed to the U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors by President Barack Obama after departing the White House.

In 2009, she joined FOX News Channel as a contributor. And in just 11 years at FOX News, she is appearing on two hours of national television on the channel each day. Dana anchors FOX News Channel's afternoon news program, The Daily Briefing and is one of the co-hosts of The Five a weekday roundtable discussion program where different voices across the spectrum break down the biggest issues of the day.

Dana also leads the 2020 election coverage and has anchored special events for the primary and Iowa caucuses. She also made news herself when she nabbed an exclusive interview with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to discuss the state of social media and political advertising, which also was his first interview with the network.

In episode #118, Dana shares some of her career defining moments, advice for pursuing career goals and managing fear. We speak about her passion for guiding the future female leaders as the founder of Minute Mentoring. We also talk about her book, And the Good News Is... Lessons and Advice from the Bright Side, which shares career advice from lessons Dana has learned along her path.

Dana also shares one of her get-ahead secrets – her ability to transfer her energy to an audience. She says, "If you are not amped up a little bit, your audience is going to be bored." Dana also shares other insights about nabbing your dream job. She advises that even if you are offered the second-in-command role, you should still grab the opportunity to learn as much as you can, so that when your time comes, you know how to be in charge. We also talk with Dana about how her parents and grandparents, ranchers in Colorado, gave her the values and mindset that have shaped her path, love of news and work ethic.

To contact the show reach out to: podcast@iwantherjob.com

Tiffany Shlain Shares How Technology Breaks Can Transform Your Life May 08, 2020

Show notes

There is something you can do one day a week that has the potential to change your life, and it I s a practice thousands of years old with proven wisdom from the beginning of civilization. In this conversation, Tiffany Shlain shares how starting a Technology Shabbat has transformed and enriched her life.

Tiffany's new book, 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week, explores how unplugging for 24 hours a week has actually increased her productivity, creativity, presence and connection with her family. Tiffany's book is also a guide for how to start a Technology break in your life, with research and wisdom to support why this day of rest can be so deeply transformative.

In our conversation, we discuss why taking a day off allows your brain to process the information and experiences from the week, while creating space for doing things you love. A tech free day also creates the space and time for connecting more deeply with your friends and family. Tiffany is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker, speaker and Webby Awards Founder with over 80 awards and distinctions for her films and work. If you are curious and enjoy exploring topics related to neuroscience, gender equality, technology or character, check out some of Tfffany's short films.

For a quick introduction to Tiffany's work, her two minute films Dear Parent and Dear Student may drastically change how often and when you choose to use your phone and other technology throughout the day.

To contact the show reach out to: podcast@iwantherjob.com

Urbansitter Co-Founder Lynn Perkins on Matchmaking and Problem Solving Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

Lynn Perkins was in a situation parents everywhere face. She was in need of a baby-sitter. It dawned on her that she could leverage her social network to find a sitter for her twin boys. It was during this moment that she realized the opportunity to leverage one's social networks for finding short- and long-term childcare.

A natural matchmaker, Lynn recruited three co-founders to join her in this initiative. Each had complementary strengths — in engineering, product and marketing. The business idea became UrbanSitter, a network that offers background-checked sitters and nannies nearby. Even better, it shows the baby-sitters and nannies who take care of the children of other parents in your social network. After signing up and paying a monthly or annual membership fee, you'll gain access to 120,000+ active sitters and nannies in the company's database. And, the site averages a response time of under three minutes.

In this conversation, Lynn shares how UrbanSitter is helping to find childcare for the more than 12,000+ health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Lynn also shares her story of navigating the 2008 financial crisis, and she offers advice for people who may need to seek career changes due to COVID-19 related impacts. The two also discuss two groups that are using UrbanSitter for the flexibility and income streams it provides — college students and retirees.

Whether you're looking for childcare, or you're a kiddo-loving individual looking for a job that can provide more income, listen to this episode to learn about this new way of connecting kids with care.

UrbanSitter is offering a free month of membership to parents working to help them find childcare. Register for an account at UrbanSitter.com and enter code: HEALTH on your My Account / Credits page to redeem your free month. If you enjoy this show, please share it with a friend. To contact the show reach out to: contact@meantforit.com

Career Quickie - Time For A Career Pivot? Download This Episode First Mar 22, 2020

Show notes

We hope you and your family are safe. And for those of you struggling right now, or for those of you who are scared, we hope you are finding the support you need. With the events all around us right now you may be wondering, "Will I still have my job a week from now?" Or, maybe with this extra time to reflect you've been thinking your current role no longer fills your heart.

If a career switch is on your mind, start creating your own career pivot plan. But first, download our 'Career Quickie' I Want Her Job The Podcast episode with Dr. Dawn Graham. Dr. Dawn is the author of, of Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success and a coach for the Wharton School's Executive MBA program. You also might have heard her on Sirius XM channel 132 where she hosts Career Talk.

An expert on career switching, Dr. Dawn's advice is among the best we've ever heard. And although recent events can make our lives feel wildly out of control, we hope you'll listen to this episode to get solid advice for working on the things you can control. In this curated mini-podcast featuring some of our best moments from our interview in episode #104 with Dr. Dawn, we share advice for questions such as: Should I go back to school? How do I interview for a job in a new career track? How do I know if my job switch is worth it? How can I prove my fit to the hiring manager?

Download and listen on for advice on all of the following …

What you need to demonstrate to the hiring manager in an interview
Why you need to be really clear on what you want to do
What you need to demonstrate to the hiring manager

To contact the show reach out to: podcast@iwantherjob.com

'Soul Surfer' Bethany Hamilton On Being 'Unstoppable' Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Bethany Hamilton is unstoppable. Since losing her left arm at the age of 13 to a tiger shark, nothing has stopped her from living her life to the fullest. When Bethany returned to surfing just one month after losing her arm -- and two years later won a national surf title -- she became an inspiration for millions. The move Soul Surfer released in 2011, starring AnnaSophia Robb, shares that story. Bethany's latest documentary, Unstoppable, offers a deeper, wider and more personal view into her life -- including her early childhood, competitive surfing career, marriage and motherhood. It also follows her into magnificent waves while she surfs Jaws and other breathtaking locations.

In episode #109 of I Want Her Job The Podcast, Bethany shares how her values, family, faith and love for the ocean have guided her life path. If you need the courage to go after your deepest desires, you'll be blown away by Bethany's mindset. Hearing about her life, and everything she has achieved, can seem impossible and too distant to be relatable. But that is precisely why you have to listen to this conversation and put Unstoppable on your must-watch list. Bethany's kind, compassionate and unassuming nature makes her relatable as an athlete, mother and friend. Hearing her describe how her faith and passion are her source of energy to pursue her goals, is likely to give you a boost toward turning what is possible into a reality.

In our conversation we also discuss Bethany's other pursuits including her organization, Friends of Bethany; her new yearlong Unstoppable course; and her books, Soul Surfer, Be Unstoppable, Body & Soul and Unstoppable Me.

To contact the show reach out to: iwantherjobpodcast@gmail.com

If you enjoyed this show, please share it with a friend!

Smitten Ice Cream Founder Robyn Fisher On Doubling Down At What You're Good At Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

Robyn Fisher really loves ice cream. As a kid, she and her family would have ice cream for those special moments in life – to bond, recover and really savor life. Fast forward to college. Robyn was in the middle of her studies and couldn't find a decent ice cream in NYC. She recalled the fresh gelato she experienced in Italy and realized that while gourmet coffee was taking off, there was a gap in the market for fresh ice cream. This realization set her life path toward the founding of Smitten Ice Cream.

After graduating from business school, Robyn found an engineer willing to work for equity for two years on creating a better ice cream machine, Brrr, a liquid nitrogen machine with six patents and a secret formula for gourmet ice cream.

This led to the creation of the Today Smitten makes every ice cream batch to order. You read that right – nothing is frozen until the customer orders it.

In this episode of I Want Her Job The Podcast, Robyn shares her motivations that led to Smitten and discusses how starting Smitten gave her a life purpose and a job she truly loves. You also will hear Robyn's unforgettable story of selling her first batch of ice cream in 2009 in a San Francisco park while using a Radio Flyer Wagon attached to a nitrogen machine and motorcycle battery held together with a bungee cord. After spending two years on the idea and her entire savings, Robyn gave herself two weeks to test if there was a market for her product. It was the depth of the recession, but instead of giving up or finding reasons why her idea wouldn't work, Robyn tried her idea on a serious budget, tweeting the location of her Radio Flyer ice cream. Robyn's experiment worked, and people showed up, a lot of people. That experiment changed Robyn's life and showed her there was a market for authentic food made with passion.

Today, you can experience Smitten ice cream in five stores in the Bay Area. Beginning in March 2020, wherever you are in the U.S., you will able to give your loved ones the sweetest surprise by making them a unique ice cream flavor. "Spoon me" and "You dumped his ass" are examples of custom ice cream flavors.

Robyn's story is the perfect example of having the courage and passion to follow an idea despite the odds or large competitors. Robyn innovated on an existing product, created a unique experience and built a business based on passion, integrity and smiles. If you have dreams of starting your own business, Robyn's story offers plenty inspiration to get you thinking differently about the possibilities.

To contact the show reach out to: contact@meantforit.com

Guest Co-Host Willow Older, Co-Founder of @today.i.noticed

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Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action, Shares the Importance of 'Losing Forward' Dec 14, 2019

Show notes

Need some inspiration about getting involved with an issue you're passionate about? You'll find plenty in today's interview with Shannon Watts. After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Shannon was devastated. Like many of us, she assumed the horrific tragedy would provoke outrage and change. When legislative and social change didn't appear, and the status quo remained solidly in place, Shannon channeled her outrage and grief by starting a Facebook page for her few dozen online friends. Almost 7 years later, that single page has evolved into Moms Demand Action – a political powerhouse and one of the largest grassroots organizations in the country.

In today's conversation, I Want Her Job The Podcast Host Polina Selyutin and Guest Co-Host Willow Older discuss Shannon's new book, Fight Like a Mother, which is part memoir, part manual, and part manifesto. We talk about Shannon's journey as an accidental activist and find out how Moms Demand Action is changing perceptions and creating unlikely allies in the battle for common sense gun safety legislation.

Shannon also shares how she manages to rise above cynicism, despite unprecedented rates of gun violence. We learn why "losing forward" is a crucial part of reaching big, long-term goals. And we find out how Moms Demand Action is developing volunteer leaders across the nation.

To contact the show reach out to: podcast@iwantherjob.com

Guest Co-Host Willow Older, Co-Founder of @today.i.noticed

If you enjoyed this show, please share it with a friend!

Dr. Dawn Graham Is In – And She's Sharing How You Can Switch Careers Nov 05, 2019

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what it takes to make a career switch? Or, have you wondered what to do to make that career switch successful – and not a complete disaster? We sat down with a woman who wrote the book on the art of a career transition – literally. Dr. Dawn Graham is author of Switchers: How Smart Professionals Change Careers and Seize Success. She's also a coach for the Wharton School's Executive MBA program and host of Career Talk on SiriusXM channel 132. In today's episode of I Want Her Job The Podcast Dawn answers your top career transition questions.

Questions discussed include:

Should I go back to school?

How do I pass an interview in a new career track?

How do I know if my job switch is worth it?

Today's episode shares advice from Dawn that is practical and will help you think through your career switch. And with advanced degrees in counseling psychology, her training allows her to understand the fears, doubts or mistakes that can often block us from making the career switch our souls want us to make.

Clarity comes through action, Dawn tells I Want Her Job The Podcast Co-Founder Polina. Learn how Dawn's advice can help you test out the new career role you are considering. Then, hear guidance from Dawn about what to do when you get an interview, how to show your dedication for a new role, and more.

To contact the show reach out to: contact@meantforit.com

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