Learning with Lerner

Get ready to be inspired on this week's episode! Our guest is the incredible Janis Burl, a seasoned leader with over 15 years of experience at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and other industries. Janis is an expert in social media, analysis, government, training, and leadership development. She led the TSA in acquiring a cloud-based interactive social media platform, making t...

In this week's episode we sit down with Madeline Shaw, a social entrepreneur with 28 years of experience in founding or co-founding four diverse ventures. Madeline shares her journey from being a feminist leader to realizing that business could be a powerful vehicle for social change. She talks about how she has earned her wisdom through experience rather than formal business education, and ho...

In this episode we sit down with the Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter, VÉRITÉ, to discover the truth behind her unique brand of indie left of center pop and alternative music. From her early days as a self-released artist to performing at some of the biggest festivals around the world, VÉRITÉ shares her journey to success and the challenges that come with it. We also discuss her experience tou...

In this episode, we sit down with Dana Wilson, Founder & CEO of CHIP, a B2B financial services marketplace that makes it easy to find Black and Latinx financial professionals. Dana shares her experience in the financial services industry and her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We discuss the importance of representation in the financial industry and how the lack of diversity affe...

In this podcast episode, we feature Ed Sweeney, a musician who uses his talent to honor people and their histories through music. Ed is not only an expert musician but also a cultural educator, who enlightens his audience on the motivations, stories, and culture that have made us who we are today. In his concerts, Ed performs a wide-ranging repertoire on various instruments, including 6- and 12-st...

Join us this week as we chat with Sarah Peck, the founder and CEO of Startup Parent and host of The Startup Parent Podcast. Sarah is an award-winning entrepreneur, writer, and leadership coach who helps women navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, business, and parenting. In this episode, Sarah shares her journey of how she found her passion in bridging the gap between pregnancy, parenting,...

In this episode we sit down with Brittany Leavitt, an accomplished climber, educator, and community organizer. Join us as we discuss Brittany's journey in the outdoors, from her early days exploring the mountains and ocean sides, to her current role as CEO of Brown Girls Climb. We'll also delve into Brittany's passion for education, her work as an early educator at the Smithsonian, and...

In this episode we meet Brian Dwiggins, owner and head roaster of Borealis Coffee Company, live from Borealis Coffee's location in Bristol, RI. Growing up in Anchorage, Alaska, Brian was introduced to the world of craft coffee at a young age, and developed a passion for sourcing and exploring different types of coffee from around the globe. After attending college and starting a corporate job...

This week's episode features Melissa and Jonathan Nightingale, two international experts on modern management and leadership. With over 20 years of experience in tech, Melissa and Jonathan have written two bestselling books, Unmanageable: Leadership Lessons from an Impossible Year and How F*cked Up Is Your Management? An Uncomfortable Conversation About Modern Leadership. They also co-author T...

Today's episode features the highly accomplished Dr. Brittany Barreto. With her Ph. D. in genetics and a track record of success as a startup CEO, Dr. Barreto brings a unique perspective to the conversation as she shares her journey from co-founding the revolutionary DNA-based dating app Pheramor to her current role as Executive Director of Femtech Focus, a non-profit entity that empowers the...

In this episode Lindsey sits down with Chris Schembra, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author and member of Rolling Stone Magazine's Culture Council. Chris shares his journey of turning his passion for gratitude and team building into a viral success, and how growing up on Hilton Head Island shaped his ability to connect with people. Chris also discusses his struggles with mental health and...

In this podcast episode Lindsey interviews Amy Chin, a woman who started a CBD company called Calm Better Days. Amy discusses her background and how she became interested in plant medicine, particularly CBD, after being diagnosed with anxiety and postpartum depression. She explains that she started her company to provide accurate information and quality products to people who are interested in try...

Today, we are joined by Ana Bess Moyer Bell, an expert in drama therapy and playwriting, and the executive director of Second Act, a national nonprofit focused on changing the way people and communities respond to substance abuse. In this episode, Ana Bess shares her background growing up in Rhode Island, her family's influence on her career path, and her work in treating trauma, grief, and ad...

Today's episode features Sean O'Connor, an expert in public blockchain technology. In this episode, Lindsey interviews Sean about his background growing up in New Jersey and his experience studying at Fordham University in New York. They discuss how Sean's parents' experience in the restaurant industry and his internships with Seth Godin and as a Fulbright Scholar shaped his career...

Today's episode features Randy Medina, front man of Sun of Sound, advocate for social justice and a firefighter. Randy grew up in New Bedford and Somerset, Massachusetts. He discovered a love for music at a young age and started playing instruments and participating in marching band, chorus, and theater. He used music as a way to label and understand his emotions as a child and to communicate...

In this episode, Lindsey interviews Kelly Twichel, the founder and inventor of Access Tracks. Access Tracks is a portable pathway solution that instantly makes any outdoor area accessible for people who use mobility devices, parents with baby strollers, and vendors with heavy equipment. Kelly shares her story and the tips, tricks, and habits she's learned along the way as an occupational thera...

Today's guest is Lisa Steele, fifth generation chicken keeper and expert, creative force behind Fresh Eggs Daily, popular destination for natural poultry keeping advice on the internet, and influential player in the backyard chicken keeping community.  Her work has been featured on The View, Martha Knows Best, HGTV, Dr. Oz, and the Hallmark Home and Family Show. Lisa shares her recipes using f...

Today's guest is Britt Rowe, who is a singer, creator, and influencer. She is also the creator of Hella Awkward, a conversation game designed to deepen connections and create memorable moments. In this episode, Lindsey and Britt discuss Britt's upbringing in Michigan, her love for musical theater, and her journey to New York to pursue her acting career. Thank you for listening, and don&#39...

Jess DelVirginia, founder and principle of Insight Strategy, joins the show to discuss her journey and tips for building relationships in the PR industry. Jess talks about her first client, a kickboxing trainer, and how she learned the importance of relationships in the industry. She then shares her experience working in traditional PR and how it informed the way she runs her own business. Jess di...

Today's episode of Learning with Lerner we share about the journey and experiences of hip-hop artist, violinist, lyricist, composer, educator, activist, and film director, Big Lux. In this episode, we learn about Big Lux's unique path to becoming a full-time artist, including his time in the Army and his experiences in Korea that led to his artist name. We also hear about his upbringing as...

On today's episode of Learning with Lerner we have Heather Rigney, owner of Orange Anchor Art School and author of the Merrow trilogy. Heather grew up in Buriville, Rhode Island and was raised on a farm where her parents raised pigs, turkeys, chickens, pheasants, geese, and more. Heather's father was a risk-taker and her mother was an auditor, creating a yin and yang dynamic in their house...

This week's episode features Sandra Enos, the founder of Giving Beyond the Box, a company that curates gift boxes featuring products with social missions. Sandra is also a sociology professor and grew up in Rhode Island as the daughter of first generation immigrants. She attended Rhode Island College on a full scholarship and later received her PhD after a 25 year break. Sandra discusses the i...

This week's episode features Tracie Sweeney, a mentor, coach, and disruptor of preconceived notions about aging. Tracie grew up all over the United States and attended Indiana University for journalism. She had the opportunity to explore her interests in high school, including speech team and radio broadcasting. Her career has included work in journalism, public relations, and corporate commun...

In today's episode, Lindsey sits down with Meg Frampton, an artist entrepreneur and half of the founding duo of the indie rock band Meg & Dia. Meg shares her story of growing up in southern Utah, starting her band at the age of 18, and the tips and tricks she's learned along the way as she's pursued her dreams. Meg discusses her experience as a musician and her multiple businesses,...

Lindsey sits down with Jason Burchard, co-founder of Root Note, a platform that helps creators track their relevant data and make better career decisions. Jason shares his unconventional upbringing and how it prepared him for entrepreneurship, as well as his experience working at a seed stage social impact venture capital firm in London and speaking at industry events. The two also discuss Root No...