Unconventional Leaders

Today we are talking with content creator, actor, and writer Adam Rose (known for that lovely blue cardigan you see on the internet) to hear about his journey as an entertainer, his creative process, and why he believes creativity “requires speed”.  ACCESS FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://www.heatherparady.com/blog/23 TOPICS FROM THIS EPISODE: Blending the conventional entertainment industry wit...

To do something outside of the box in your life and career, you are going to have to take risks ( shocker right? ). Although we say we want “x” with our lives, are we taking the necessary steps to get there?  Today, I had the pleasure of speaking with J. Vladimir , an innovative artist who blends the world of editorial fashion photography with modern pop art. He shares his story of “ burning...

Learning how to truly connect with others is a skill set. If you are providing a service, you have to invest time in learning human psychology and developing your communication skills to adapt to a variety of people.  Today, I connected with Dr. Michael Sonick , an internationally-known, highly-regarded authority in the field of Dental Implantology and Periodontology. However, this conversati...

I read the book Storyworthy a couple of years ago, and it has been one of my “go-to” books on the art of storytelling. Today, I got to connect with its author, Matthew Dicks , who is an international bestselling author, columnist, playwright, teacher, and a beast in storytelling! In this conversation, we dig into how to deliver your message in a way that sticks with the audience, as well as tactic...

How do you stay focused on your mission, heart, and calling when you feel like you have to communicate it all in a world with an attention span of only 60 seconds? Today’s guest is a content strategist for some of your favorite speakers and influencers, and she has built her platform training and guiding other leaders on how to effectively use social media. In this conversation, Nicky Saunders dis...

Pernilla Stryker is a complete powerhouse. A fitness influencer and charismatic content creator with the best abs I have ever seen. Literally, how does she do it? Friends, it may not be what you think. I met her a few months ago and was super impressed with her energy and resolve to not only push herself outside of her comfort zone but also her dedication to helping others become the highest versi...

For the past several years, I have seen today's guest perform at a conference and have just been blown away not only by his talent but also by his ability to connect with a crowd. His name is Elec Simon. If you have seen him perform once, there is no chance that you could forget him. With over 20 years of experience performing and wowing crowds of up to 25,000 – with the off-Broadway and touring p...

What does it really take to get your creative work in front of more people and make a real living from your craft? Some say not to worry about the money, but how can you stay true to your art while still moving the ball forward ? Today, I connected with Chad Lawson, an American pianist and composer, who found that sweet spot between the business side of music and creating work that he is truly pas...

Is being yourself truly 'enough' ? What if there were multiple versions of you that you could access to perform at your best, depending on the situation? I recently shared a video on this topic and received some skepticism (fair pushback) regarding the idea of creating an 'Alter Ego'. In response, I reached out to Todd Herman , a performance coach and author, who has assisted world-renowned athlet...

Is unforgiveness harming your business? Keeping you back from fulfilling your goals and ambitions? This is not an easy question, and one that would be easy to dismiss, but I challenge you to lean in and hear this story. Today, Amy Lacey, serial entrepreneur, joins us to talk about the impact of forgiveness on your mental health and success. Amy is in the top 1% of all female business owners and co...

Are you at a point in your life where you are questioning your purpose? Dealt with a blow to your dreams and plans – and you don’t even know what to do anymore? Today, I connected with Able Heart , Philadelphia based-singer, songwriter and producer, who shares with us how he managed to get back up after his Amateur US Olympic snowboarding career came to an abrupt halt due to an injury. He eventual...

Every aspiring content creator loves tactics. Folks are desperately searching on how to go viral, build an online community, and keep people’s attention. But what if I told you that building an influence doesn’t lie in merely going viral, but by holding true to your values? Today, I spoke with Sean Cannell , the founder of Think Media, who is one of today’s leading online video experts and the wor...

If you are a one-man (or woman) show, trying to pull off running a business, creating content, etc., it's understandable that you may feel overwhelmed. What if there was a way to employ multiple 'selves' and operate effectively as a team... even if it's just you? Today, I connected with George Sidiropoulos , a former musician turned content creator who has NAILED a system that helps him produce mo...

“The butterflies will never go away, but you can teach them to fly in formation.” - Rob Gilbert As a communicator do you struggle to feel like you belong in certain rooms? How do you show up and not have the pestering voice in the back of your head to prove something? Well, here’s a question for you : “What if feeling confident wasn’t the determining factor?” Today, I connected with René Rodriguez...

Leaving a strong religious background and diving into the world of entrepreneurship can feel both confusing and oddly familiar at the same time. A few years ago, I came across a man who has built a career around helping entrepreneurs grow their network and connect with influential people. His business successes are impressive, but when I heard his story about deconstructing from what some may cons...

How in the WORLD do you tell good stories on social media when folks have an attention span of like 2 seconds? If there is one person to learn from, my friends, I promise, it is Brendan Kane . Brendan is the founder of Hook Point and has been a digital marketing leader since 2005. He has guided major brands and celebrities, pioneered the first YouTube influencer campaign, managed $200 million in m...

Ever feel overwhelmed after reading a book? You learn a ton of new, helpful information but are not sure where to begin when it comes to applying everything you just learned. Maybe you struggle with reading books altogether, even though you know you “should.” Today, I connected with Nick Hutchison , author of 'Rise of the Reader' and founder of BookThinkers, a platform that bridges the worlds of a...

Are you just…built differently? Leaning into those small quirks and mustering up the courage to show all of who you are is what this world is waiting for. Today, I connected with Whiskey Biz , an unconventional entrepreneur and creator. I found him on TikTok and am not sure I have ever seen someone seem to have as much fun making content as his guy. In this conversation, we discuss his philosophy...

Shira Lazar is an Emmy-nominated host and interviewer covering social media, emerging tech, and the future of well-being. I had her on the show today to talk about her unconventional career and to provide insights for us as communicators on how to navigate rooms we may find intimidating, and to create with courage. We also discussed how she is integrating the topic of mental health in male-dominat...

Rob Bell has spent his entire life communicating to the masses, from pastoring one of America’s fastest-growing churches to writing fourteen books and plays which have been translated into 25 languages. If you know him, you know he has a GIFT for taking a deep message and delivering it in a unique and creative way. But this next version of Rob Bell is another level. He recently authored a fiction...

Matthew Luhn has over 25 years of experience in creating stories and characters, with story credits including the Toy Story films, Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Cars, Monsters University, Ratatouille, UP, and many more. In this conversation, Matthew shares insights on developing the right story structure and themes to deeply resonate with audiences through the stories you want to tell. Be sure to c...

Struggling to find your place in this world? Are you grappling with life while trying to find your calling? Is it possible that your greatest gifts come from your greatest obstacles? Today, I had the pleasure of connecting with Adeyemi Adeyosoye , the 'Energy Man' and Founder of The Soul School. In this conversation, we talk about the hidden gifts in life's greatest pains, why setbacks are not a s...

In a world obsessed with production and output, it is easy to forget to pause and question the real meaning behind our work. Last year, when I found myself in a difficult season, questioning my calling and creative voice, I ran across this man on YouTube. Sean Tucker —Photographer, Filmmaker, Author, and “Armchair Philosopher”—joins us to discuss his book, Meaning in the Making, and how to find pu...

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