Workday Playdate

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27. Real Talk: Social Media with Nicole Emerick, Director of Social Media Excellence @ Allstate Oct 28, 2020

Show notes

“Any time something really great happens in my career, it's usually because something failed and went off the rails first.” - Nicole Emerick In this episode, Erin brings on Nicole Emerick, a social savvy, blog-friendly entrepreneur who is the queen at finding creative side hustles while working her corporate jobs. Listen in on this conversation that involves all things social media, how it’s a double-edged sword, and how taking care of you should be the #1 priority. Listen to Nicole as she shares stories about failing forward through her entrepreneurial journey, and the secrets and impact social media has made on all of our lives. This is a juicy one! Links from show discussions:

About the guest: In 2008, Nicole Emerick was unfulfilled working as a Commercial Banker and decided she needed a creative outlet. MsCareerGirl.com was born. Nicole’s blog existed to help ambitious young professional women find out who they are, what they want and how to get there. Nicole partnered with brands like Microsoft, Chevy, Hampton Inn, Secret and InStyle before selling her blog in 2013. Nicole has since owned her own content marketing agency, been an Adjunct Professor at DePaul University and served as Vice President of Social Media and Influencer Marketing at FCB Chicago where she worked on brands like Botox, GE Appliances, Cottonelle and more. Today Nicole leads Allstate’s Social Media Center of Excellence. About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and beach dates with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

🌟 Learn more about Workday Playdate: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/podcast-page
🎤 Book Erin to speak: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/keynote-speaker
📚 Workshops & Team Experiences: https://www.learntoimproveit.com/experiential-training
💌 Learn more about Erin: https://www.itserindiehl.com/meet-erin
📱 For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

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26. Failing Up with Viral Star DJ Pryor Oct 21, 2020

Show notes

“If it looks like it might fail, I'm probably clinging to it because I know that that's usually the area I find my success.” - DJ Pryor Failed it! Fam, get ready to go to church! DJ’s inspirational story will bring you to tears, make you laugh, and will motivate you to look at things in a different perspective. You may have seen his bright spirit on a viral video with his son, Kingston. DJ really knows how to fail up as a comedian, actor, motivational speaker, musician, and “world’s greatest dad.” If you need a ray of sunshine, but on your sunglasses and tune in! This episode brings so much light! Links from show discussions:

About the guest: DJ Pryor is taking entertainment head-on this year. Maintaining the true essence of what it means to be a multi-threat entertainer through stand-up comedy, acting, motivational speaking and musicianship to name a few, the young comic is preparing his seat the table among the greats. From starring in music videos, commercials with Allstate and Jack Daniels to leading in the upcoming independent film "The Konichiwa Kid", all the while perfecting his first love- stand-up-comedy, he is directly on the path to stardom. Most recently the actor-comedian's "comedy-mojo", which he refers to as his "comojo", allowed him to be one of twenty artists to take the stage in the 2019 CBS Diversity Comedy Sketch Showcase. DJ is married to Shanieke Pryor and a father of two Jabari, 8, Kingston, 2. DJ was most recently known for a viral video with his youngest son Kingston coining him the "World's Favorite Dad" for Father's Day 2019! From acting, directing and performing at popular venues including Zanies in Nashville, TN. Los Angeles's infamous Laugh Factory, the Comedy Store, and more to launching his latest digital endeavor, Laughter is Universal, there is no stopping DJ Pryor. You can find him on all social platforms as Comedian DJ Pryor, or DJ Pryor! About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

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25. How You Can Stay Motivated Through COVID-19 Oct 14, 2020

Show notes

“We are in this new normal for awhile, so it is up to us to stay motivated, so that we can motivate our teams. We are really in this together.” - Erin Diehl Are you ready for a motivational challenge to help you get through this pandemic? If so, then this episode is for you! Apply this episode’s tips for 30 days, and see what happens. We can guarantee a shift in perspective, and overall motivation. We invite you to challenge yourself to try all or one of the tips in this episode for 30 days. You can apply all five strategies, or just focus on one area. The idea is to just start! When you are implementing one of the strategies, take a picture and post it. Not only does this hold you accountable, but it motivates you to keep going. Who knows – your post could even motivate someone else! Make sure to use the #faileditpodcast so we can cheer you on. You can tag us at @learntoimproveit or @keepinitrealdiehl so we can give you a big FAIL YEAH. If posting is too much, but you want an accountability partner – send us a DM @keepinitrealdiehl or @learntoimproveit. We will be your biggest fan, your personal cheerleader and help keep YOU motivated so you can motivate others. Let’s do this, team! Links from show discussion:

Listen to Episode 10
DM Erin on Insta
Book a Laugh Break for your team
Need collaboration tips? Listen to Episode 17

Connect with Erin Diehl

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24. How to Find Your Voice in Corporate America with Asfa Malik, VP of Learning and Development at Addison Group Oct 07, 2020

Show notes

“Never stop learning. When you join corporate America, learning never stops especially when you're in your early career.” - Asfa Malik Who do you turn to when you need to learn how to excel at your role? Who do you contact when you need to exceed your leadership and followership objectives? Who is going to help your employees help grow your business? Well, the head of Learning & Development, of course! Asfa Malik, VP of Learning & Development at Addison Group has spent the better part of her 27 year career helping others achieve THEIR growth goals. Not only is she responsible for developing talent, but also making sure they feel involved and heard as she builds out their Diversity, Equality and Inclusion strategy. Asfa’s won a few awards for her leadership in developing people, and has learned many lessons along the way. The biggest one? Her own fear of failure. So much so that she walked a super straight line avoiding it. It took her a long time to figure out that facing fears will actually lead to more success, not less! Being a woman of color is not a journey for the faint of heart – it means having to grow taller (she’s only 5 feet tall!), speak louder (she’s an introvert) and stand out (she loves her camo)! Let’s get to failing it! Links from show discussions:

About the Host: Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

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23. Why I Moved to My Dream Location (and Why You Should Too!) Sep 30, 2020

Show notes

“My mission is to use this platform and the improve it! platform to shed light, positivity and levity during these tough times. I want you to know that you matter, and you have a voice. I want you to show up for your friends, family and community in the way you want to show up. It is my mission and the mission of improve it! to help guide you to your life’s “it” or purpose.” - Erin Diehl Failed it! Fam: what is the one thing in your life you want to change?That one thing that sticks out to you, that voice inside your head, that nagging noise in your ear that says “this isn’t right.” Got it? Then let’s get to failing it. There are three things that Erin attributes this massive transition in her life to: Inspiration, Manifestation and Action. These words are not anomalies when it comes to change. Listen in on Erin’s story and advice when it comes to making the big move to the location of your dreams, and what it takes to get there. If you need a “nudge” to get out there, take a risk and try something new, then this episode is for you. Links from show discussion:

Connect with Erin Diehl

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22. Sales, Fails and other Tales with O'Brien McMahon Sep 23, 2020

Show notes

“I want to get as far down my path as I possibly can in life and I want to help other people get as far down their path as they possibly can.” - O’Brien McMahon Have you ever considered working in sales? In the world of sales, you hear “no” way more than you hear “yes.” Host Erin Diehl chats with a good friend, O’Brien McMahon, the Senior Vice President of Lockton, the place that helps companies build better employee benefits, and retirement programs. Listen to this episode for O’Brien’s juicy chicken nuggets of wisdom on his journey in selling, building relationships and creating trust with leaders across a variety of organizations. His relationship building techniques are sure to inspire! Links from show discussions:

O’Brien McMahon is a Senior Vice President with Lockton, helping companies build better employee benefits, compensation, and retirement programs. He also hosts “People Business w/ O’Brien McMahon,” a podcast exploring the human element of work. While his day job is focused on Total Rewards, he is fascinated by human behavior and psychology and enjoys helping companies and leadership teams get the most out of their people. Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

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21. When Life’s Record Gets Scratched: How to Keep Dancing with DJ Amani Roberts Sep 16, 2020

Show notes

“DJs are kind of essential workers. Music is helping people get through this quarantine in so many ways that have not been talked about.” - Amani Roberts, The Amani Experience. Hey Failed it! Fam. Has music helped you get through these tough times? Whether your answer is yes or no, this weeks’ episode will show you how music can help get you out of any funk (and it’s cheaper than therapy)! Host Erin Diehl chats with Amani Roberts, DJ and founder and CEO of The Amani Experience, which specializes in providing music for corporate/social events and team-building experiences, creating original music for commercials or videos, and teaching students of all ages how to DJ. Amani’s career is very unique and his failures and life lessons are sure to inspire you both creatively and professionally. So put on those headphones, and get ready to take a lyrical journey that will show you how to dance through the “record scratches” thrown your way. Links from show discussions:

improve it! Laugh Break
The Amani Experience Podcast
Check his DJing out on Twitch and/or Instagram Live
Amani’s Book - “DJs Mean Business: One Night Behind The Turntables Can Spin Your Company’s Success”

Failed it! Fam: If you liked today’s episode, please head over to iTunes to rate us and give us a review. Your review helps us share the #fails of the world, so we can all learn from these “gifts.” Week by week, we unwrap the stories of fails’ past and present, and we’ve got a lot more “giving” to do! Your support means the world. About Amani: Amani Roberts is a Washington DC born and bred creative, graduate of Howard University, who has been a DJ since 2008. Amani’s hospitality career has spanned over 25-years holding jobs such as Hotel General Manager, Director of Sales & Marketing and Regional Director of Sales & Marketing with Marriott International. Amani currently lives in Los Angeles, California and is the Chief Musical Curator for his company, The Amani Experience. This company specializes in providing music for corporate events, social events, team-building experiences, creating original music for commercials or videos, and teaching students of all ages how to DJ. Amani has produced remixes of artists such as Niia, Kehlani, Ellie Goulding, Camila Cabello, Little Big Town, Alessia Cara, and Hoodboi for his music collective known as A Starter Jacket. DJ AmRo hosts a weekly podcast called “The Amani Experience Podcast” where he interviews creative professionals from all over the world about why they took the leap from corporate life to the creative life. Amani is an adjunct professor at Cal State University - Fullerton (CSUF), teaching Entertainment Money Management in the Mihaylo School of Business & Economics as well as the Co-Director for the Center for Entertainment & Hospitality Management. He has been active on the board of Meeting Professionals International - Southern California for over five years and is currently the Vice President of Education for the chapter. Amani’s first book, “DJs Mean Business: One Night Behind The Turntables Can Spin Your Company’s Success” was released in April of 2020. Twitter | Instagram | Facebook - @amaniexperience Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

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20. Quit Fearing Failure: Five Tips on How to Start Your Own Business Sep 09, 2020

Show notes

“Your “side hustle” or “dream” should fire you up, and make you want to commit to yourself. Where attention goes, energy flows. With this commitment in time you will start to see the results. The more attention you put towards something, the stronger it becomes.” - Erin Diehl Are you dreaming about starting a business on your own? Well, if you are, then this is going to save you hours of reading, googling and at this point in time “virtual coffees.” Push play to hear Erin provide five strategies you can use to bring your dream world to the real world! Links from show discussion:

Episode 10 - No More Morning #Fails - 5 Tips On How to Rock your AM’S!
The Compound Effect book
- Weekly Rhythm Register
LegalZoom
gov
GoDaddy
Book a virtual workshop for your team

Connect with Erin Diehl

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19. Exercise that Growth Muscle. Failing It! with David Gardner, Founder of ColorJar Sep 02, 2020

Show notes

“The only time it’s game over is when you run out of options.” - David Gardner, ColorJar In this episode, host Erin Diehl chats with The Big Jump podcast host and CEO and founder of ColorJar, David Gardner. His goal is to unlock potential for brands that matter and inspire people to reinvent themselves. He truly believes that failure is something the world needs to hear more of, which makes him a perfect Failed It! guest. Listen to David as he tells his story on how he went from a professional basketball player to a successful entrepreneur! Links from show discussions:

improve it! Laugh Break
Aaptiv App - The app to help you fill your kettle so you can fill others’ cups!
The Big Jump podcast

David Gardner is a former professional basketball player turned entrepreneur who started his company ColorJar from his bedroom in 2008. Now one Chicago’s top-rated brand consulting and design firms, ColorJar is on a mission to unlock potential for brands that matter. ColorJar specializes in revitalizing brands at key moments of change to drive business results. David began his branding career in 2003 when he co-founded positive news website Buzzflood, while balancing student-athlete life as an All-Ivy League basketball player and team MVP at Dartmouth. He’s also the host of a popular podcast, The Big Jump, where he interviews professional athletes who have created success beyond sports. David is regularly featured in the media and speaks across the US and internationally on the topics of branding and human reinvention. Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.

Connect with Erin Diehl

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18. How to Rattle the Cage of Mediocrity with Your Courage and Fear Failure Less with Judi Holler Aug 26, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, host Erin Diehl chats with author, entrepreneur and fear boss leader, Judi Holler. Judi’s mission is to help people live braver lives and empower leaders to lead braver teams. Snaps to that, am I right or am I right? Judi provides tip after tip to help you create a fearless and empowering life and become the fear boss you’ve always dreamed of becoming. Links from show discussions:

improve it! Laugh Break
Aaptiv App - The app to help you fill your kettle so you can fill others’ cups!
Judi’s Book: Fear is my Homeboy
- Text “Brave” to 474747 to access to Judi’s favorite #FearBoss tools and to start reading Fear Is My Homeboy
Big Magic Book
Judi’s Website
Judi’s Instagram
Judi’s Facebook
FearBoss Community Page
Judi’s LinkedIn

Judi Holler owns a creative company that is on a mission to help people live braver lives and EMPOWER leaders to lead braver teams. Her work takes the experimental principles of the improv theatre and helps you apply them to the unscripted stage of everyday life. These ideas will teach you that while you’ll never be “fearless” ... you can get really good at ... FEARING FEAR LESS!  Judi is a professionally trained improviser and alumni of Second City’s Conservatory in Chicago and she uses her training every day to smash self-doubt and experiment with fear.  Judi’s book, Fear Is My Homeboy, became an instant bestseller on Amazon, is currently being translated into two languages and was endorsed by the inspiring Mel Robbins calling it .... “relatable, relevant and most importantly ACTIONABLE!”  Additionally, Judi is the creator of the Fear Boss Community, a community of brave humans dedicated to experimenting with fear, and she has a brand new podcast called, The #FearBoss Show which is now available wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!  When Judi is not keynoting conferences, podcasting, testing out new fear experiments, and creating content for the #FearBoss community ... she is most likely riding her Peloton bike, nose deep in a book, or hanging out with her husband Scott and their golden retriever, Tito!  Judi likes her books non-digital, her wine bubbly, and her music hip-hop. Judi’s Mission: To help you live a braver life and smash comfort zones by experimenting with your fear. Every day. On purpose. Judi’s Vision: A world so brave that the word regret has been removed from the dictionary because you are way too busy making things happen for yourself! Erin Diehl is the founder and Chief “Yes, And” officer of improve it! and host of the failed it! Podcast. She’s a performer, facilitator and professional risk-taker who lives by the mantra, “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” Through a series of unrelated dares, Erin has created improve it!, a unique professional development company that pushes others to laugh, learn and grow. Her work with clients such as United Airlines, PepsiCo, Groupon, Deloitte, Motorola, Walgreens, and The Obama Foundation earned her the 2014 Chicago RedEye Big Idea Award and has nominated her for the 2015-2019 Chicago Innovations Award. This graduate from Clemson University is a former experiential marketing and recruiting professional as well as a veteran improviser from the top improvisational training programs in Chicago, including The Second City, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre. When she is not playing pretend or facilitating, she enjoys running by the lake and patio dinners with her husband and son, and their eight pound toy poodle, BIGG Diehl. You can follow the failed it! Podcast on Instagram and facebook, and you can follow Erin here on Instagram. We can’t wait to connect with you online!
For more information on improve it! visit www.learntoimproveit.com.