Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World - The Skills, Talents, and Mindsets of Changemakers

Sitting next to MaryBeth Hyland the first day of a new session at Heroic Public Speaking in Lambertville, New Jersey, I could feel the warm and generous energy radiating from her very being.  I knew right away this was someone I needed to get to know.   What I’ve learned is that MaryBeth is an incredible changemaker who teaches people about the importance of aligning the work they do with their co...

Changemaker Nadine Marshall helps her clients develop themselves holistically so they can move from merely surviving and striving to thriving in their own efforts to make a positive difference in the world.  Tune in via the video recording below, listen to the podcast version or read the summary here to learn how she does it!   https://youtu.be/bYsdKVglXdc Homegrown Nadine Nadine was born in Greym...

During my discussion with Dr. Navjeet Kaur, I was struck by something she said. So often when we are physically unwell, we are often quick to announce it. However, when the discussion turns to mental health, many people are still afraid to share what is ailing them.  I am very glad to have had this opportunity to meet Navjeet where she came up to me after my speaking engagement in New Delhi, India...

Where does a person’s potential begin as a changemaker? Changemaker Emmalou Penrod knows, it usually starts with the family unit.  In this rich conversation, Emmalou examines how her upbringing catapulted her forward and now helps parents learn the skills, including emotional regulation, so they are equipped to share their tools to help their children grow. In this episode of “On Your Own Terms,”...

Get ready to channel your curiosity about people with Changemaker Nancy Marshall! Nancy has a passion for connecting people together so that they can bring their gifts to the world.  A curious mind makes for genuine relationships that can lead to positive change in every community.  Nancy never starts a conversation thinking, “What’s in it for me?”  Instead, she reaches out through her love for pe...

What makes an empowering mentor? This is the question that changemaker Beth Hendricks asked herself after having several mentors assigned to her tell her that she didn’t measure up.  Then, one day, she had a new experience.  A mentor sat with her and asked the question: How can I help you be successful? Beth realized that in a world where many people are so focused on outshining each other, we oft...

Sometimes the biggest change in the world begins with a change within yourself.  That is the power behind Changemaker Lynn McLaughlin’s story. At an early age, Lynn experienced trauma and abuse creating a deep-seated need for escape.   As she grew older, she learned to recognize her past as proof of her tenacity and capacity for resilience. Over the years, she’s learned that the road to growth doe...

Often the people in need of help in our community are right in front of us. Leading the charge to maintain the dignity of each individual is Changemaker Judy Diggs. Throughout her career in education, Judy has constantly kept an eye out for how she can  offer support and advocacy to marginalized groups and those in need.  Judy has a big heart and loads of experience creating the conditions necessa...

Loy Campbell’s professional work in healthcare and community work for racial justice are inspirational examples of how we can show up as changemakers in all facets of our lives.  Read on to check out what you missed “On Your Own Terms” or, if you prefer, go straight to the audio version here:     https://youtu.be/PiyTy4pizRI Homegrown Loy Loy Campbell was born in Blacksburg, Virginia. Blacksburg i...

Changemaker Annie Dickinson is proof that our roots do not dictate where we plant ourselves. Annie’s life transitions have led her to far-flung places, including moving abroad. Annie found a way to embrace BIG change and welcome transformation, even when it’s terrifying and encircled with deep grief. Through living her one wild and precious life, Annie’s experiences have taught the criticality of...

Each week, I feature a new changemaker who has created ripples of positive change into the world… But how does that change start? What do you need to create change? This week, Changemaker Catherine Schrenker tells her story about how she took her gifts and created positive change in her own life and the world around her. Her journey from academia to becoming the Executive Director at the Wayne C....

Tatiana Tsoir is someone I wish I had the chance to meet in my early in my entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneurship comes with road bumps and challenges, but having someone with business smarts walk down that path beside you will help you avoid some common pitfalls.  In this episode of “On Your Own Terms,” Changemaker Tatiana Tsoir shares her “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World” from the u...

You don’t find many people like Dr. Martha Ann Stallings. She is the kind of changemaker who chooses to spend much of her time in “retirement” for the benefit of others working tirelessly to make sure no voice goes unheard.  In this episode of “On Your Own Terms,” Martha Ann shares her unique take on “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World” and inspires us all to watch and listen carefully for...

Patti Shales Lefkos is one inspiring changemaker! At an age where many are retiring to take it easy, Patti is hitting the roads and the trails on great adventures to learn all she can, help all she can, and inspire us all to take the reins and live big lives. In this episode of “On Your Own Terms,” Patti shares her “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World”. Watch the video of our conversation, l...

In her role as Senior Director of Major Gifts in Intercollegiate Athletics at Virginia Tech, Terry Bolt has learned how to thrive and create meaningful change in what is usually a male-dominated industry. Along with her “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World”, Terry shares her wisdom and tips to help women come out on top without sacrificing their principles.  Check out this episode of “On You...

Healing communities can seem like a daunting task, but that is the core mission of Changemaker Sara Dechter. As a certified urban community planner, Sara has a bird’s eye view of the Flagstaff, Arizona community she serves.  From this vantage point, she looks for opportunities to bring growth, love, and understanding to the process of community development. The special secret to her work though is...

In this episode of “On Your Own Terms,” we meet Changemaker Anne Campbell. Anne shares her “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World” including her efforts to work with others to build a comprehensive hospice facility in her home community of Blacksburg, Virginia. Watch the video of our conversation, listen to the podcast, and read the summary here! Homegrown Anne Born and raised in Blacksburg Vi...

Changemaker Sandy Joy Weston is a refreshing reminder of how to choose the joy in life.  Sandy and I had such a wonderful conversation that helped me come back to my own positive nature.  We often hear so many negative reports from many corners of the world.  If you turn on the news, you are likely to be shown some of the ugliest sides of humanity, but Sandy believes deeply in the basic good in […...

If I were to summarize my conversation with Changemaker Stacy Fritz, I would say, “passion driven by love.” Stacy’s passion for a healthier community has led her on a journey to help people live healthier lives. After her kids started school, she started her company, FIT2order with her business partner, Pattie Sassano.  Together, they brought fitness programs to locations beyond “the gym”. The com...

My conversation with Changemaker Jenna Banks was a powerful one. Jenna is a keynote speaker and best-selling author who strives to help women reclaim their inner power. Jenna’s journey began with a traumatic upbringing and a nearly fatal suicide attempt. These experiences brought her to her lowest, yet were the same experiences that led her to a pivotal change in her life. Despite her challenges,...

My conversation with Sue Bevan Baggott was so empowering! Sue has a wide range of rich experiences from building a safer community for domestic violence survivors and supporting people with mental illness challenges to corporate innovation and angel investing. Sue’s life has helped her recognize the importance of channeling time, talents, and financial resources toward the positive changes she wan...

Today we welcome Changemaker Gunin Kiran to this series celebrating the work of people making the world a better place by creating “Homegrown Solutions for a Patchwork World.”   Gunin completed 8 years as a school board member in my local school district last fall, but she remains very active in our community as she explores next options to put her brilliant mind and heart for service to best use....

There’s nothing I enjoy more than when I meet someone and start sharing what I do and they suddenly say something like “Oh!  You must meet ‘so and so’!”   These connections and introductions often turn into the very best conversations I get in any given week.  Thus was the case when a new mutual colleague decided to connect me with Mia Pumo.  Mia’s passion for education is something we share at a...

Today we welcome Marcia Dawood, Angel Investor and Chair of the Angel Capital Association.  I first met Marcia in a program we’re both involved in with Heroic Public Speaking where we are learning with others to deliver speeches to “inspire and delight” our audiences.  I can tell you that I was both inspired and delighted when I heard Marcia share a part of her talk for the first time.  I’ve belie...

Today we welcome Harriet Stein to the Blue Roads Changemaker Series that aired first on the WIN WIN WOMEN program “On Your Own Terms”.  Harriet shares her story of how she first became interested in the practice of mindfulness including how it has changed her own life and the lives of others around the globe.  I first met Harriet through “HPSGrad”.  It’s an amazing program offered by Michael and A...