YOU WANNA DO WHAT?!: Personal Brand, Public Speaking, Thought Leadership for Career Professionals and Founders

Laughter is the best medicine. It makes you feel good. But how do we laugh through the hard days and the difficult times?  My guest had to face some big challenges; a father who wasn't always present, a blown out knee in his early 20s and a dream to be a comedian that he wasn't quite sure how to make happen. He knew he was angry, but how could he channel his anger and turn this negative emotion in...

Do you struggle with self discipline? Inspired by a Will Smith's Instagram story, I get deep on self discipline vs survival. Are you confusing it with survival? They are not the same thing. It's the choices you make everyday that determines your success or failure. Are you working towards or against your goals?   Shoutout to Will Smith for inspiring this week's episode with his incredible Instagra...

Do you have a hard time saying, NO? "No" is empowering. It's a personal understanding of your own needs and puts you in the driver's seat. So, why do we feel guilty when we say it? Here are 5 proven tips to eliminate guilt and maintain your relationships. Need more help? Grab  the FREE Action Workbook  and JOIN the YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! Community .  Action Workbook: http://www.youwannadowhat.com/act...

Are you failing at your goals? If so, you're not alone, 80% of us give up on our goals by February. In this episode, I offer a 4-step recipe for success that promises to get you back on track. Also, I have a special invitation for YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! listeners. Need more help? Grab  the FREE Action Workbook  and JOIN the YOU WANNA DO WHAT?! Community .  Action Workbook: http://www.youwannadowhat.c...

There are 10.8 million articles (literally) on stepping out of your comfort zone . In this episode I offer a different perspective on comfort zones and share two recent but very different networking experiences. FREE Action Workbook: www.youwannadowhat.com/action Join the Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/youwannadowhat.goals/ Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or g...

Danny Peña is living proof that your childhood passion can become your adult career. Danny aka "Godfree" as he's known in the video gaming community is the founder of Gamertag Radio. He took his love of video games, connected with others in his community, and 13 years ago started an internet radio show turned podcast. Danny used his wits to find creative ways to promote the show, way before MySpac...

If you want something done, you gotta do it yourself. Right? Not always. Sometimes you have to ask for help - an ear, a shoulder, a Task Rabbit?  For me, that revelation came when I attempted my first home improvement project thanks to YouTube and maybe a little too much confidence. It's a comical story with a fortunate lesson that allowed me to see that some problems require help and there's noth...

My guest is millennial entrepreneur, Derrius Quarles. Born and bred on the south-side of Chicago, Derrius lived through 13 years of foster care after losing his father to violence and being separated from his mother to become a first-generation cum laude graduate of Morehouse College, securing over $1 Million in scholarships before leaving high school. Derrius is a serial entrepreneur, web designe...

Beauty sells. Social media is full of carefully curated images creating "insta famous" users overnight. These "influencers" promote products and also sell young girls, teens and women on earning quick money through beauty. What can we do to make brains just as appealing? How do we instruct girls that they are more than their appearances? Social media platforms rise in popularity while education in...

Do you remember what you were doing at 25? My guest celebrated this milestone birthday opening the boutique boxing gym, WORK TRAIN FIGHT (WTF) in New York City. Now, 8 years later, I had the pleasure of interviewing founder and owner, Alberto Ortiz. We discuss how a kid from the Bronx swung for the fences long after his baseball aspirations were sidetracked by an injury, why he became an entrepren...

Two hospital visits in one week led to some heavy revelations about kindness, empathy, human connection and one of my favorite films, A Bronx Tale.  Also, remembering an OG and huge influencer on the podcasts we hear, Combat Jack. Rest in Peace.  Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/ YouW...

Celebrating 6 months of podcasting with a great big thank you and sharing the 5 podcasts with the greatest influence in my podcasting journey.  1. Bill Simmons Podcast 2. The Unmistakeable Creative 3. Joe Budden Podcast 4. Side Hustle School 5. Advanced TV Herstory Let's Connect!  Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram  and...

80% of people give up on their resolutions by February. Forget new year, new me; let's talk goals. Goals can be set at any time, any place, but most of us struggle with where to start. We break it down to 3 questions and simple steps to take action. Sign up for your free workbook and let's do this together! www.youwannadowhat.com/action Let's Connect!  Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or...

Dating in the modern age is complicated. Was the search for love always this hard? With terms like ghosting, benching, love bombing. cuffing and more, I try to make sense of it all.   Elite Daily, 8 2017 Dating Trends Defined Let's Connect!  Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram  and Facebook

Do you forgive and forget or hold grudges? Inspired by a Jay-Z interview, I talk about people that face conflicts and those that run away from them. Also, what do you do when the apology you're waiting for never arrives?     Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Visit me: www.youwannadowhat.com   Follow me on Facebook: www.faceboo...

Have you ever cleaned out your closet and sat surrounded with a bunch of memories? Were those memories happy or sad? When reflecting on the physical items: greeting cards, clothes, mementos; it allows us to confront emotional baggage from old relationships and friendships. I share new approach to cultivating healthy relationships by acting as a MIRROR and embracing a new philosophy.    Let's Conne...

Did you know that not everyone is excited about the Holidays? Are you someone who shrinks when asked, "what are your holiday plans?"  You're not alone. For some, it's complicated. Listen to my story and others who would just prefer to skip past these days altogether, and if you're someone who loves the holidays, there are tips on how to help others deal.  ---- Let's Connect! Go Beyond the Pod when...

Do you ever think, "I must be crazy for doing this" when working towards a goal? When you see a glimmer of success, do you doubt yourself or push forward towards the finish line? I have to started to combat "this is crazy" with "shut the f up and keep going" - it's working a lot better, you should try it. Also, I discuss my time at DC Podfest and salute an old friend.  The Messengers: A Podcast Do...

Are you working long hours and "forgetting" to take time off? America has a problem with vacation time. A big one. 54% of Americans do not  use their paid vacation days. Why? There are 3 big factors and I am debunking each of them.  Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/YouWannaDoWhat www....

Are you a prisoner to your to-do list? Is there anything on your to-do list that links to fun, passions or hobbies? If the answer is no, you need to rewrite your to-do list and I'm here to tell you why. Also, I share the #1 component to success and why this may be the only time I can legitimately compare myself to a baseball player.    Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or g...

What do you do when you're terrible at first dates? You bring your two best friends on the show to give you hope. We dish on what makes an ideal first date, why water is always a hit and apologize to Tom from MySpace.  --------- Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/Momielee www.instagram....

I reveal the #1 secret to making it happen for yourself and share the stories of 3 extraordinary talents. Recorded from a pop-up studio in Los Angeles, California courtesy of WNYC Studios and Werk It!, A Women's Podcasting Festival.  ------------ Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram: http:instagram.com/youw...

Let this week be the moment you STOP asking, "where did the time go?" 15 ideas to make your month the opposite of routine.  Show Notes:  1. Language app: Duolingo Let's Connect! Have a question? Want to recommend a topic or guest?  Email me:  monica@youwannadowhat.com Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/youwannadowhat www.instagram.com/Momielee www.instagram.com/AsSeenOnMyWalk

Oprah is on my personal Mount Rushmore of greats. For the second time in 6 years I was in a room with Oprah and the third time WILL be the charm when I finally meet her. Also, my trip to the Tribeca TV Festival and why getting dressed and showing up is sometimes all you need to do to be inspired. Who inspires you? Have you told them?  Show Notes:  Writing My Wrongs by Shaka Shengor Show Link to  R...

The choice to have kids and marry is not always an obvious one. Not all women are born to be mothers and some of us are still trying to figure it out if that's our path. Add society's pressures, a biological clock and other people's unsolicited opinions and we're left with a lot of shame. I talk about my personal struggles on the topic and why it sometimes feel like I have better odds to win the l...