The Optimized Mind

Latest Episodes:

Stay Curious with Casey Jacox Mar 21, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind Podcast, Dr. Kate talks with Sales and Leadership Coach, Author, Podcast Host, Father and Husband – Casey Jacox.
With over 25 years of business experience, Casey's leadership helps companies emphasize building relationships, not just transactional business deals. As I mentioned, he's a father, a husband, a coach, a podcaster, a speaker, and a business leader who is the same person in and out of work. Over his entire career, adversity has always made him stronger.

Through the conversation Dr. Kate and Casey focus on Casey’s path from an accomplished high school and college athlete to a successful career in corporate sales and how he transitioned out that space to write his debut non-fiction book, "WIN the RELATIONSHIP – Not the DEAL." which is helping shape how teams build relationships with their customers and improve cultures internally for teams.

The discussion takes a deep dive into ideas and insights related to personal development, living a growth mindset and the ways in which adversity has made Casey stronger.

This is a truly robust conversation full of insight and awareness which will benefit so many.

Casey Jacox, Winning The Relationship, LLC – Sales & Leadership Coach. With over 25 years of business experience, Casey's leadership helps companies emphasize building relationships, not just transactional business deals. He's a father, a husband, a coach, a podcaster, a speaker, and a business leader who is the same person in and out of work. Over his entire career, adversity has always made him stronger.

Casey always leans in on curiosity while maintaining a positive attitude! While at Kforce, Casey was the number one sales rep nationwide for ten years consecutively before becoming President of Client Strategy and partnerships. In that role, Casey was crucial in driving a sales transformation and providing executive-level support for large customers. In March of 2019, Casey left Kforce as the firm's all-time leading salesperson in the nearly 60-year company history to begin writing his debut non-fiction book, "WIN the RELATIONSHIP – Not the DEAL." His book has over 100 organic reviews on Amazon and is helping shape how teams build relationships with their customers and improve cultures internally for teams.

Casey is now the founder of Winning The Relationship, LLC, a consulting firm providing executive sales leadership and coaching. Additionally, Casey hosts The Quarterback DadCast, a podcast that offers stories, advice, and wisdom for fathers looking to improve their leadership skills and emotional intelligence.

Casey is a passionate networker with intense energy for building genuine, long-lasting relationships. Casey loves to empower people to achieve more than they think they can ever accomplish. He loves to laugh, serve others, and make those around him laugh; why do we go to work if we are not having fun?

To learn more about Casey, visit:
Website: http://www.caseyjacox.com

Author, "Win The Relationship; Not the Deal" - https://amzn.to/3ek4Rqn

The Quarterback Dad Cast – Podcast - https://www.caseyjacox.com/podcast

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Morning Leaves -- Writing Through Grief with Laing Rikkers Mar 14, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Laing Rikkers – author of Morning Leaves: Reflections on Loss, Grief and Connection and Co-Founder and Executive Chair of ProSomnus Sleep Technologies.

Laing is a leader in the field of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, an often hidden - and potentially fatal - medical condition. After her sister died of undiagnosed OSA, Laing sought solace from nature and creativity, and wrote Morning Leaves, a book of poetry to help others navigate grief. Her mission now is to save lives by encouraging people to recognize the symptoms of OSA before it's too late.

The discussion focuses on Laing’s upcoming book and the comfort she found in writing it following the sudden loss of her sister. The discussion also focuses on Laing's work as an expert in the field of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, along with the innovative technology to help those living with OSA developed by her company ProSomnus Sleep Technologies.

This is a robust conversation focused on insights and awareness to help people recognize the signs and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, while taking important steps to improve their sleep, health and function across domains.

Signs and symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea:

Daytime sleepiness
Snoring
Observed episodes of not breathing
Waking up with dry mouth
Headaches and difficulty concentrating
Mood changes, including depression

Increased likelihood of OSA associated with:

Obesity
Family history of OSA or snoring
Male or post-menopausal female
Large neck
Alcohol consumption

The Takeaway is OSA increases the risk of:

Hypertension
Heart disease - including heart attacks and heart failure
Stroke
Diabetes

To learn More, visit:
www.laingrikkers.com
www.prosomnus.com

Laing Rikkers is a leader in the field of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, an often hidden - and potentially fatal - medical condition. After her sister died of undiagnosed OSA, Laing sought solace from nature and creativity, and wrote Morning Leaves, a book of poetry to help others navigate grief. Her mission now is to save lives by encouraging people to recognize the symptoms of OSA before it's too late.

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Mentorship, Meaning and Belief in Business with Megan McCann Mar 07, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Megan McCann, founder of McCann Partners, an IT Recruiting firm.

Megan and her team deliver IT recruitment with intention and integrity to a growing portfolio of innovative organizations—from Chicago-based startups to companies with a global footprint. McCann Partners is dedicated to creating a more equitable and diverse workforce, and proud that more than 70% of their talent placements in the past two years have been diverse hires. Prior to McCann Partners, Megan co-founded and helped build Geneva Technical Services (GTS), and was a strategic force in growing SelecTech—both premier IT recruitment firms.

The discussion focuses on Megan’s path to becoming a successful business owner and leader in the IT recruiting space. The conversation also takes a deep dive into the power of mentorship, meaning and belief in business and personal development. Megan also shares her own best practices for bringing out her best across domains.

About Megan McCann:

Megan McCann is an established IT recruitment and technology services leader known for building and leading highly successful IT services firms, and for the work she does to advance diversity and cultivate talent across the technology industry.

Megan is the CEO of leading IT recruitment firm McCann Partners, which she founded in 2011. She and her team deliver IT recruitment with intention and integrity to a growing portfolio of innovative organizations—from Chicago-based startups to companies with a global footprint. McCann Partners is dedicated to creating a more equitable and diverse workforce, and proud that more than 70% of their talent placements in the past two years have been diverse hires. Prior to McCann Partners, Megan co-founded and helped build Geneva Technical Services (GTS), and was a strategic force in growing SelecTech—both premier IT recruitment firms.

Megan’s impact on the tech community far exceeds her day-to-day work as CEO of her own firm. Passionate about attracting, retaining, and advancing women in technology, Megan is a proud co-founder of ARA, a national organization that seeks to promote women in technology and leadership through mentorship, events, and programs. Her additional industry and leadership affiliations include membership in the American Staffing Association, CHIEF, and the TechServe Alliance.

She is also a founding partner of the Chicago Executive Women’s Networking Group and an active member of Chicago Innovation’s Women’s Mentoring Co-Op. In addition, she’s been recognized as a Chicago Business Journal Bizwomen Headliner in Technology, Chicago Business Journal Women of Influence, a three-time Midwest Women in Tech Awards finalist, and an Illinois Technology Association CityLIGHTS finalist. In 2021, Megan was named to Staffing Industry Analysts inaugural Top 50 DE&I Influencers list and selected as a ChiTech Academy Young Women's Leadership Society Ambassador of the Year.

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Growth Mindset in Action with Laura Cooke Feb 28, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Laura Cooke, Founder and CEO of Positive Foundry, a company focused on creating and teaching a strength based model grounded in science, which helps individuals flourish across domains. The discussion highlights the evolution of Positive Foundry, along with the ways in which Laura integrates the principles she teaches into her life and family.

Through Laura’s many positions in leadership, both in the corporate world and in education, Laura’s true passion has always been about helping people. Her thirst for learning is endless and she finds comfort in both the classroom and boardroom.

She has been trained at the Institute for Positive Education in Australia and the Flourishing Institute and holds a Certificate of Applied Positive Psychology, a BA in Business from Wittenberg University, and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at The University of Michigan.

In previous roles, she was a digital marketing entrepreneur and senior leader at Metatec International running a multi-million-dollar business unit. Most recently she was Assistant Head of The Wellington School and professor of Leadership in Business and Applied Positive Psychology. Laura is a wife to Chris and mother of four girls.

To learn more about Laura, visit:
www.positivefoundry.com

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Finding Catharsis in Running and Writing with Brigitte Cutshall Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Brigitte Cutshall who is an author, cancer survivor and health coach. The discussion focuses on Brigitte's journey through cancer and a rare brain tumor, along with her passion for running and writing. Brigitte shares how both helped her through the hard moments and continue to help her to find meaning and purpose each and every day.

Health Advocate and author, Brigitte Cutshall, has overcome cancer multiple times and a rare primary brain tumor in between. She raised two sons with her husband while keeping a smile on her face. She advocated for herself, and strongly believes her training as a health coach and love for running has been instrumental in helping her be more than a Survivor. Brigitte is a Thriver on a mission to inspire others to change their lives for the better.

To learn more about Brigitte, visit:
brigittecutshall.com

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

A Life of Faith and Service with Andrea Jaeger Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the Optimized Mind Podcast, Dr. Kate talks with Andrea Jaeger in the second of a 2-part series. The discussion this week focuses on Andrea's life of service, specifically the foundation she started to provide support to children in need, their families and communities. Andrea shares deep insight and wisdom into what it means to her to live a life of faith and service to others.

Little Star Foundation started because life showed a 15-year-old tennis phenom, Andrea Jaeger, that children facing cancer or trauma endure their struggles for more than one day. For over 37 years, Little Star Foundation has provided long term care and a better quality of life for children with cancer and children in need, their families and communities, through financial assistance, education, medical support, therapeutic play and outreach care programs.

Little Star participants find fuller lives, increase their motor skills and self-esteem and lead more engaging, purposeful and enjoyable lives, regardless of their diagnosis.

Andrea Jaeger became the #2 ranked professional tennis player in the world at the age of 16. She gave all her pro tennis earnings, (millions of dollars), to help others. For over 37 years Andrea Jaeger has devoted her life to bringing long term care and a better quality of life to children, families and communities in the United States and the world facing disease, disaster, poverty and other devastating hardships.

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Reflections on life and Tennis with Andrea Jaeger Feb 07, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Andrea Jaeger in the first of a 2-part series. Andrea is well-known as being the number two women's tennis player in the world at the age of 16 in the 1980's, before pivoting to a life of humanitarian work and service. This is a robust conversation about Andrea's early life and experiences on the professional tennis tour, in which Andrea shares powerful insights setting the stage for her current life and service based work. We will dive into this next week in the second part of our 2-part series.

Little Star Foundation started because life showed a 15-year-old tennis phenom, Andrea Jaeger, that children facing cancer or trauma endure their struggles for more than one day. For over 37 years,

Little Star Foundation has provided long term care and a better quality of life for children with cancer and children in need, their families and communities, through financial assistance, education, medical support, therapeutic play and outreach care programs.

Little Star participants find fuller lives, increase their motor skills and self-esteem and lead more engaging, purposeful and enjoyable lives, regardless of their diagnosis.

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

The Human Side of Leadership with Captain Sandy Yawn Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Captain Sandy Yawn, who is well-known from Bravo's hit series Below Deck Mediterranean. The discussion is robust as Sandy shares insights into how she moved through and beyond challenge early in her life to where she is now. Sandy shares invaluable insight into ideas of self-leadership, seeing possibility beyond challenge and maximizing potential. The conversation also focus on Captain Sandy's recently released book, Be The Calm or Be The Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm.

Captain Sandy Yawn is a Fort Lauderdale native with over three decades of yachting experience under her belt, Captain Sandy Yawn is one of the most respected captains in the industry. A renowned super yacht captain and mentor in the yachting industry, Yawn is always looking to support crew members to reach their full potential. Sandy knew she wanted her career to revolve around the ocean from an early age and wasn’t discouraged when she discovered yachting to be a male-dominated field. Knowing the difficulties that come with leading an entire team while providing five-star service, she makes it her mission to know everything and every department on the boat.

To Learn More about Captain Sandy, visit:
Captainsandyyawn.com

Be the Calm or Be the Storm: Leadership Lessons from a Woman at the Helm:
https://amzn.to/40ds2eM

Book Cover:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wG-FrmDn23L-0POCPqFU7d9iUIMWbEVf/view?usp=sharing

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Turning Dreams into Reality with Jon Meggison Jan 24, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of the Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with actor Jon Meggison. The discussion focuses on Jon's path from a career in sales to a career as a full-time actor. Central themes include -- grit, perseverance, resilience and passion to go after your dreams to create a new reality.

Actor Jon Meggison stars in his first lead film as Eric Olsen on the Amazon Prime original movie A Haunting In Ravenwood (2021) directed by Calvin McCarthy. This film features Eileen Dietz who is best known for her appearances in many horror film roles such as the face of the demon in The Exorcist, Halloween II, Friday The 13th Pt3, just to name a few.

Still new to the industry Jon caught fire in early 2021 where he plays a supporting role of a character named Ryan, in a feature film called Survivors Choice. This film is led by Hollywood actor Eric Roberts known for movies like 'The Coca-Cola Kid' (1985), 'Best of the Best' (1989), 'The Specialist' (1994), and 'National Security' (2003.

In his short time in the industry Jon won his first individual award as Best Lead Actor in the film called It Takes Talent (2021) written & Directed by Roleph Dubreus. In his most recent film Jon stars as Porter Watson in the horror film called Conjuring the Beyond. This film is written and directed by Calvin McCarthy and will be released to platforms July 10th, 2022.

Jon has had a lifelong love of basketball and in his spare time he plays in a men's Basketball league. This is something he enjoys most and it gives him the opportunity to reset and stay connected with his first passion and the friends that he grew up with. He has played from the age of 5 all through elementary, middle school & high school. Another thing that Jon loves to do most is spend time with his family. He has 3 little boys that are the love of his life and he wants to show them that you are never too old to chase your dream and that you can pursue your passion and raise a family.

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

Recognize. Reflect. Take Action with Kathy Simon Jan 17, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of The Optimized Mind, Dr. Kate talks with Kathy Simon, author of Recognize. Reflect. Take Action. The conversation focuses on the importance of self-awareness, reflection and of course action in making and sustaining positive change.

Kathy Simon is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who currently works on the counseling team at a boarding high school in New Hampshire. Kathy also does mental health trainings and consultation for different agencies and organizations on topics such as Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Kathy has been in the mental health field for 20 years working a variety of settings with different populations. Through all of those experiences, Kathy has developed a broad view of mental health and the themes that can be present for many of us despite differences in identity, background, lifestyle, etc. Kathy takes a holistic approach in her work in order to highlight the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person’s life.

To learn more about Kathy, visit:
@kathy_Simon2022
https://amzn.to/3GKVZdk

To Learn More, visit:
www.katelundspeaks.com

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
https://missionmatters.com/author/kate-lund/

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