Thriving Matters Podcast

JOY in the Jungle Gym!

Our guest is a global expert on how to build relationships with purpose and heart.

Kingsley has lived and worked in six countries in the areas of Trade Promotion, Philanthropy and Diaspora Engagement. The Networking Institute is where he now passes on his knowledge from developing valuable networking skills across work and life experience. He believes strongly in the power of Networking, not just being the 'glue' but an essential key to 'surviving and thriving' in challenging times and diverse locations.

Listeners Kingsley's keen observation skills and curiosity enables him to be in a perfect place to listen to the heartbeat of leadership across business, education and culture. We discuss what leadership needs to look in the near future - strong communicators, genuine and creative innovators who have kindness and gratitude as the basis of their community focus.

I hope you enjoy our conversation as 2024 is watching a massive number of elections across the world that are impacting employment, health and lifestyle, financial and economic environments like never before.

Don't forget to subscribe and share with your networks, friends and colleagues.

 

To Connect with Kingsley

LI: linkedin.com/in/kingsleyaikins

URL: thenetworkinginstitute.com 

Email: kingsley@thenetworkinginstitute.com

 

To Connect with Carrie

LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet

URL: carriebenedet.com (Company)

Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com

 

 

Changemaker in Human Consciouness

Listeners, Marti Spiegelman is our guest this episode. I ask you to make your favourite drink of choice and snuggle in to explore with us. Our conversation really covers so much more than what we have in this conversation, I really should call it Part 1!

Marti has such a deep love of conscious connection and has explored many indigenous cultures and their love and use of story to keep their culture alive and thriving. Understanding the bigger picture which we all belong to is the essence of our knowing our real self.

Lean in with us as we cover the type of leadership that will take the wporld forward into a differnet future, how our wellbeing embodies the principles of self awareness and being conscious of processing ionformation collectively not individually.

If this conversation peaks your interest, then Marti currently offers her foundational training, Precision Consciousness, via live Zoom sessions. martispiegelman@mac.com

More about Marti:

Marti holds a BA in biochemistry from Harvard University, an MFA in graphic design from the Yale School of Art and Architecture, and has advanced training in neurophysiology, psychology, and anthropology. She was president of her own design firm for 20 years. Since then Marti has been training professionals across a variety of sectors – business, finance, science, education, and others – in unique perception and awareness skills that directly enhance leadership, organizational intelligence, and profitable action. She also serves as a Fellow with REX, the Relationship Economy Expedition, founded by Jerry Michalski.

In 2011 Marti launched The Conscious CxO™, a discovery-based training program designed specifically for business leaders to master the organizing principles of consciousness – the precise principles underlying all business, financial, social, governmental, and environmental success and evolution. For a broader audience, she has offered courses in the technologies of consciousness through En•theos Academy, an online university founded by Brian Johnson.

Marti was a presenter at TEDx Berkeley 2011. Currently she is collaborating with Kevin Clark, founder of Content Evolution, developing groundbreaking approaches to raise the level of consciousness the practice, organization, and evolution of business worldwide.

 

Don't forget to share and subscribe!

 

To connect with Marti:

LI: linkedin.com/in/martispiegelmanmfa

URL: martispiegelman.org

Email: martispiegelman@mac.com

 

To connect with Carrie:

LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet

URL: carriebenedet.com (Company)

Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com

 

Can't lead if you don't know who you are!

Our episode is with the inimitable John Murray, Ireland's leading headshot photographer and all round great guy! John and I have known each other now for a few years and had the absolute privilege of meeting him in person earlier this year in Dublin- the city he knows and loves so well.

We continue our exploration of how wellness and leadership with many antidotes and stories as only the Irish can tell! Its never a dull moment with John as he is an advocate for 'substance over superficial' John is an observer of people, and teaches people to unconditionally love themselves. Constantly learning and exercising his brain, mind and body, his passion for kayaking is well known.

Listen in as John and shares his view on what type of leadership the world is needing for 'betterness', adaptability to overcome rapid change and allow people to reach the potential they haven't previously been able to develop and 'roll intentionally' with mindfulness and consistency.

You will hear John say "do for the good of the village" and he lives and breathes this every day to his best intention. I never tire of listening and enjoying his company.

If you love this conversation. I am glad you were able to chuckle and smile as we weaved through many ideas and thoughts, then share this with your friends, colleagues and clients.

More about John:

Widely regarded as Ireland’s leading headshot photographer and trained by the worlds leading headshot photographer Peter Hurley, John is not only an award winning portrait photographer and speaker specialising in Headshots and self awareness education, and was also 2020 National Director of Training and Development for Junior Chamber International.

With emphasis on the substance of his clients rather than the superficial, his focus is drawing out the personalities

and inner strengths of each person he photographs, giving a sense of who they are to anyone looking on. 

 

To connect with John:

IL: linkedin.com/in/johnmurrayheadshots

URL: johnmurrayheadshots.com

 

To connect with Carrie:

LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet

URL: carriebenedet.com 

 

We have a Choice - Just be You

Driven by a passion for bringing value back to people in business and creating a better future, Aveline Clarke believes that business is the perfect vehicle to generate the greatest amount of good in the world. As the co-host of the 6 Star Business Podcast and co-founder of the 6-Star Business Community, she engages with individuals who understand the importance of living with purpose in both business and personal life.

 

Key takeaways from Aveline's and my conversation this episode include: 

 

1. Future leadership requires a shift from patriarchal/hierarchical models to more collaborative, human-centered approaches

2. Personal wellness (sleep, nutrition, exercise, emotional healing) is crucial for effective leadership and living purposefully

3. Technology and global connectivity offer new opportunities, but also challenges for leadership and work-life balance

4. Self-awareness and intentional structuring of one's day/energy can significantly boost productivity and fulfilment

 

Aveline shared her Wellbeing habits that include prioritizing good sleep habits and nutrition, regular exercise, and morning self-affirmation practices.

Over the years, Aveline has also engaging in self-directed emotional healing and trauma work. Each day is structured around energy levels and task types (draining vs. energizing). 

 

We also cover AI and technological advances creating opportunities and challenges across the world and the need to balance digital connection with face-to-face interaction

 

The Importance of understanding one's purpose and making course corrections

Avoiding comparison/judgment and focusing on being authentically oneself

Taking responsibility for one's wellness and growth of our emotional intelligence capabilities. 

 

All round it was a fascinating conversation that I hope you have reasonated with and encourage you to share with your family, friends and colleagues. 

 

Connect with Aveline: 

LI: linkedin.com/in/avelineclarke

URL: journeypoint.com.au (Company)

Email: avelineb@gmail.com

 

Connect with Carrie: 

LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet

URL: carriebenedet.com (Company)

Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com

Quest for Peace and Love

Phillip and I have a educational leadership background which I'm sure you notice especially as we talked Reimagining Leadership, Inclusion, and Wellbeing, Divisiveness and Empowering Diverse Voices and Perspectives.

Tune in as we explore the need for effective leadership and the influence individuals can have on shaping the future. We highlighted the importance of leaders being inclusive and not presuming to have all the answers. Phillip expressed regret over the polarization and vilification that occurred during the referendum period in Australia, particularly regarding the role and voice of First Nations Australians.

We also discussed the concept of leadership, with Phillip suggesting a shift from the traditional 'silverback' metaphor to a new narrative. According to Phillip, the role of a leader should be to help frame questions and enable solutions in collaboration with the community, rather than being the dominant figure who imposes solutions. This new approach would require a different ecosystem and environment as this new model of leadership is necessary to address complex issues such as climate change, wealth distribution, and access to justice.

The changing attitudes towards personal well-being and professional success post covid shows a growing trend of individuals who believe they have something to offer and are willing to take risks to achieve their goals. Additionally, we are observing a shift towards seeking out spiritual communities and a desire to connect with the right people for influence.

We also covered the importance of empowering diverse voices, particularly those of young people, and the value of having a range of perspectives and experiences represented. Phillip shared his leadership style, which emphasizes openness to a variety of viewpoints and emotional reasoning in decision-making. We acknowledged the challenges and potential risks of this approach but agreed on the importance of hearing and considering all voices.

I am sure you will find some interesting points and views here form one of Australia's finest educators. If you have enjoyed this Thriving conversation all around leadership and wellness, share with your connections and in your networks.

Connect with Phillip:
LI: linkedin.com/in/phillip-heath-am
Email: phillip_heath@barker.nsw.edu.au

Connect with Carrie:
LI: linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet
URL: carriebenedet.com (Company)
Email: carolinebenedet2@gmail.com

 

Global Leaders that Shine in their Genius

I caught up with Matt Bliss whilst in the UK earlier this year where we did talk "Global Matters' especially about leadership and thriving.

I hope you will enjoy the depth of the conversation that includes government decision making post covid and the insights about autonomy, voice, micro- management, change management, the importance of people data and opportunity to develop people.

Matt shares his career history in education, followed by roles in IT in Victorian government where his rabid curiousity enabled him to work across agencies and teams and projects. Matt is the first to say that he keeps adding expertise based on trust, to explore his skill base tools and builds his connections with personal and genuine contribution.

Influence with authority and contribution with reflection are standout personal and professional capabilities that have proven to be attractive to all leadership levels across the organisations and workplaces Matt has been involved with - his self awareness a definite part of his genius.

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with your colleagues, family and friends. You can find us on all Podcast platforms.

To connect with Matt:
LI: linkedin.com/in/matthew-bliss
URL: mbpod.com
Email: business@mbpod.com

To connect with Carrie:
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet/
URL: www.carriebenedet.com
Email: carrie@carriebenedet.com

Make Your Life Matter

Listen in with us as Sarah Morse and I share an incredible self journey through her nursing career that has impacted how she now shares her story and passion for thriving.

We talk about her personal daily thriving routine and how that helps shape a 5 Point Framework that grounds her speaking and facilitation work and more importantly incorporates her life experience with World Vision at the age of 17 years old.

Sarah tells her 'How much I can give to the world' story with grace and grit and you can feel the depth of her love and resolve to collaborate and celebrate the goodness of humanity in adversity. You will hear about Ecuador, Romania, Slavery and Servant Leadership that her nursing and healthcare background have influenced her keynote speaking and facilitation with teams globally.

Sarah is a true 'people whisperer'! I am positive that you will want to share her story with your colleagues, friends and family!

Every podcaster loves some love, so make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any of our 'extra-ordinary' guests.

To connect with Sarah:

LI: linkedin.com/in/sarahjmorse

URL: sarahmorse.com.au

Email: sarah@sarahmorse.com.au


To connect with Carrie:

Email: carrie@carriebenedet.com

URL: www.carriebenedet.com

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet/

The Choice is Ours to Celebrate Human Emotions

You will love our conversation with Azeem Saheer 'Human Capitalist' who gives us an all encompassing new 'living' definition of being emotionally rich!

Azeem has just celebrated reaching 100 episodes of EI Cafe Podcast that explores how knowing nothing about hosting a podcast developed an effective learning platform as a reult of covid. You can hear his excitement about the in person 100th episode event in Sri Lanka.

The uniqueness of the Sri Lankan context shines through as Azeem shares how over 9 years and 10 seasons based on emotional intelligence and how it influences our daily life and work. Azeem also talks about his daily routine, his faith foundation and curiosity around people stories and how we connect to learn and share our expertise.

You will hear how Azeem started his working life and the opportunities he investigated with passion that shifted his mindset towards exploring emotional intelligence and celebrating human emotions.

'Enable your EI Chips' - pause alot before you think and make decisions.
I know you will enjoy Azeems 'gems' and hope that you share with your colleagues, family and friends! Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss our incredible guests and their stories.

To Connect with Azeem:

LI: linkedin.com/in/m-azeem-saheer-pcc-837b3759

Email: connect@mazeemsaheer.com

Twitter: azeemsaheer


To connect with Carrie:

Email: carrie@carriebenedet.com

URL: www.carriebenedet.com

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet/

’What do you know girlie?’

Whats your daily ritual that you honour each day?
Our conversation is with Joanne Brookes, a gal that really has thrived through thick and thin over her career and life. I've know Joanne for a while now and It never ceases to disappoint when we get together because we can't help ourselves - we always have so much to share with each other!

Listen in as Joanne starts with her story as an introverted 18 year old and how her options for tertiary education at university were redirected into gaining a bank position through sheer persistence and cold calling!

We talk about those early days, what Joanne learnt on her way through various postions over 17 years with the Commonwealth Bank and how this lead her to starting and building her incredible business skills. Joanne shares her sucesses and what it cost her openly, how she sees hte value responsibility for your employees as well as how leaders need to know and lead themselves before you can lead your people.

You will be interested in her daily walking ritual without headphones...50 things you know with coloured pens activity... hands on head resetting tip... as well as her passion for adult learning and the incredible Ducere Business School opportunity for a contemporary global MBA!

If you enjoyed this episode every podcaster loves a little love, so share with family, friends and colleagues and don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss our incredible global thriving guests!

To connect with Joanne:
Email: joanne@navig8biz.com
LI: linkedin.com/in/joannebrooks
URLS: navig8biz.com/ (Company)
ducere.edu.au (Company)
Mobile: 0434 602 024

To connect with Carrie:
Email: carrie@carriebenedet.com
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet/
URL: www.carriebenedet.com
Mobile: +61 438 399 881

Think in 5’s!

You are in for another treat! Our guest is Elizabeth Williamson, Founder, and Owner as well as Resilience, Relationships and Conflict Resolution Expert.

Elizabeth has an incredible personal story that she shares with us this episode of Thriving Matters podcast that I know you will be glued to!

In her personal life, Elizabeth has faced many physical challenges, including surgery in 2012 to remove a rare type of tumour within her spinal cord. 

From paralysis to re-learning to walk and building a successful business, Elizabeth embodies a spirit of resilience, and to value learning from the inevitable the downfalls and scars that accompany this journey. 

She is passionate about helping leaders and teams develop flexible thinking, successful collaborations and creative problem-solving skills. She created the RE-IMAGINING RESILIENCE™ Program to share a multifaceted and insightful exploration of resilience characteristics. 

You will hear us talk about:

RELATIONSHIP SKILLS – Arguably the most important set of skills for a thriving and impactful life. Our first relationship is with ourself and gaining mastery with that persuasive negative inner voice to make peace with ourself to be your very best friend. Then there is love and heartache for many couples and families who want to communicate better and argue less, but feel like they are going around in circles without finding solutions.

Elizabeth shares over 45 years of research-based skills, arts and science behind creating meaningful and rewarding relationships utilising the work of John and Julie Gottman.

RESILIENCE SKILLS - Elizabeth's life has been richly informed by grief and loss early in life,  personal and professional challenges, and over the past decade, learning to live with paralysis and the consequences of spinal cord trauma. 2012 surgery to remove a rare type of spinal cord tumour turned her life upside down. Post-surgery she was paralysed from her shoulders down, unsure if she would ever walk again. With substantial daily effort and extensive professional rehabilitation, she has eventually re-learnt to walk. She continues this only with ongoing, intensive physical therapies and a rather constant conflict with gravity

CONFLICT SKILLS - The Inevitable Conflicts in our workplaces & communities. If you know what really works to resolve conflict you can stop being exhausted by family, leadership or team disputes, caught too often in the middle of difficult conversations or feeling blamed for things that are not your responsibility

"Thinking new thoughts is really hard work. Creative thought requires you to think in at least sets of 5. (Most of us think in binary terms: either/or, right/wrong, us/them), which will keep you stuck with obvious problems). Try generating 5 options to difficult problems – the first two you won’t want, the third is an unhappy compromise, the fourth is closer to your dreams, and the fifth is hard work but insightful. Great, now you’re really thinking!!"

If you enjoyed our conversation, share this with your friends and colleagues.

 

To connect with Elizabeth:

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-williamson-solutions/

Email: ew@elizabethwilliamsonsolutions.com

URL: www.elizabethwilliamsonsolutiions.com

 

To connect with Carrie:

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriebenedet/

Email: carrie@carriebenedet.com

URL: www.carriebenedet.com