After a meandering 20-year career through industries as varied as pharmaceutical sales and data analysis, I've found my true calling in content creation.

This episode uncovers my journey from childhood dreams of being an NBA player to expressing myself fully through podcasting.

As I recount my transition from corporate life to the joys of storytelling and audience engagement, you'll hear how my experiences led me to a rewarding career that fuels my passion.

This solo episode is packed with personal reflections on The Real You Podcast's evolution and my plans to introduce a series focused on professional speaking.

I share insights into my initial LinkedIn experiments, which pivoted from hobby to full-time content creation and coaching, and storytelling's role in engaging audiences.

My son's curiosity about my online endeavors adds a personal touch, highlighting the uncertainties and thrills of this adventurous path.

You'll also get a glimpse of my life beyond the mic, including a story of my Wheaten Terrier's adventure at a pet boarding facility. These lighter moments reveal the companionship and joy my dog brings, especially during the work-from-home era.

Closing with gratitude, I express appreciation for the incredible guests who've enriched the podcast and the invaluable lessons learned from their diverse experiences.

Join me as I continue to explore the creativity and connection in this ever-evolving journey.

www.linkedin.com/in/david-young-mba-indy

Lauren Fischetti shares her transformative journey with us, from her academic pursuits in English at Duke and Columbia to her unexpected path in career coaching.

She navigates the complexities of a high-achiever mentality while balancing work, motherhood, and personal growth. The conversation dives into the art of self-reflection and the challenges of maintaining self-care practices amid life's unpredictable turns.

Lauren's experiences with journaling, meditation, and the pursuit of clarity offer invaluable insights into personal development and resilience.

We explore Lauren's significant life changes, including her cross-country move to San Francisco spurred by a career in FinTech, and the personal challenges she faced, such as the birth of her first child and the loss of a parent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These experiences highlight the struggle to juggle personal expectations and the importance of external support from life coaches and therapists. Lauren's candid storytelling reveals the difficulties of transitioning back to work post-maternity leave and the pressures of high expectations.

The episode also highlights Lauren's empowering relationship with exercise and experimentation. From overcoming gym intimidation to embracing weightlifting, Lauren discusses the mental and physical benefits of staying active and how an experimental mindset can open unexpected doors.

Join us as we celebrate Lauren's dedication to making a positive impact and uncovering the joy in personal and professional growth.


https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-fischetti/

https://www.laurenfischetti.com/

What if you could build genuine relationships in the digital realm that transform your professional life?

Join me, David Young, as I chat with Megan Senese, the inspiring co-founder of Stage, who shares her journey of fostering authenticity and empathy in the world of LinkedIn and legal marketing.

Megan reveals how she amplifies underrepresented voices on her platform, using personal stories to create meaningful connections and remind us that there's a human behind every profile picture.

The story takes an exciting turn as Megan recounts the bold leap from corporate security to entrepreneurship, inspired by a spark of creativity during a Peloton ride. Discover the emotions and challenges faced when starting a business with former colleagues, and how kindness and personal connections shape their client-centered approach.

Megan and her partners have crafted a flexible legal marketing service that adapts to the unique needs of law firms and attorneys, emphasizing the power of a personalized touch.

We also explore the entrepreneurial mindset, where success is measured beyond traditional metrics and defined by personal fulfillment. Megan and I discuss the importance of recognizing individual strengths, both in professional settings and personal life, as we navigate career transitions and balance family commitments.

Dive into the world of entrepreneurship, where kindness reigns, and learn how to pursue what you love by embracing a mindset that values "I get to" over "I have to."

Connect with Megan on LinkedIn or via her website to learn more.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megansenese/

https://stage.guide/

Discover how Amanda Kwok turned a simple LinkedIn Writing Challenge into a powerful tool for personal branding and growth.

In our conversation, Amanda reveals the secrets behind her engaging online presence, where the focus is on self-disclosure and idea promotion instead of self-promotion. Listen as she shares her journey into personal development, sparked by a transformative retreat in Ireland, and how she has woven photography and storytelling into her identity on LinkedIn.

Transitioning from the tech world to luxury cabin retreats, Amanda's story illustrates the profound impact of nature on personal transformation. Faced with burnout, she found solace and inspiration in helping others disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature.

Her passion for facilitating personal growth led her to pursue a coaching certification, with a focus on empowering introverted leaders. This episode unpacks the journey of aligning professional endeavors with personal values, and the thoughtful decision-making involved in creating spaces for disconnection and reflection.

Finally, we tackle the power of authenticity and vulnerability, both in personal life and the workplace. From shedding metaphorical masks to embracing the unique strengths of introverted leaders, Amanda shares insights into harnessing soft skills such as empathy and emotional intelligence.

We touch on exercises designed to uncover true selves and discuss plans for a collaborative retreat aimed at fostering deep personal connections.

Join us for a rich exploration of personal and professional growth, and learn how to thrive as your authentic self.

linkedin.com/in/amandakwok1

quietleader.co

Katia Vlachos joins us to uncover the journey behind her insightful memoir, "Uncaged: A Good Girl's Journey to Reinvention."

Discover how Katia broke free from societal expectations to explore her true identity. We discuss her experiences with social conditioning and how she came to recognize and escape her own "golden cage."

Her story is a testament to the power of introspection and the courage to pursue an authentic life, offering hope and guidance for anyone trapped in their current circumstances.

Our conversation takes a deep dive into the art of memoir writing, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of revisiting memories and crafting them into a coherent narrative.

Katia shares her unique perspective as a non-native English speaker with a background in policy analysis, explaining how these experiences shaped her concise writing style. We explore the difficult decisions involved in editing, including the necessity of "killing your darlings" to ensure simplicity and clarity in storytelling.

The discussion also touches on the timeline of the traditional publishing process, giving a behind-the-scenes look at bringing a memoir to life.

Beyond her writing, Katia shares her transformative journey of aligning personal values with her professional life. We delve into her path to becoming a reinvention coach, spurred by personal life changes and the wisdom gained from trusted friends.

Katia offers profound insights into the challenges of coaching women in foreign countries and the subtle compromises that can lead to feeling stuck. As we wrap up, the conversation shifts to meditation, exploring its flexible practices and the subtle yet powerful changes it can bring to one's life.

Join us for a heartfelt exploration of personal growth, self-discovery, and the liberating journey to authentic living.

https://www.katiavlachos.com

linkedin.com/in/katiavlachos

Unlock the strategies to peak performance and leadership excellence with Margaret Jennings, a veteran coach who has successfully transitioned from a dual-sport athlete at Princeton to an influential mindset mentor.

Margaret shares her incredible journey from the sports field to the corporate arena, revealing how she leverages LinkedIn to connect with ideal clients and builds an online presence. We'll discuss how the principles of teamwork, confidence, and having a good coach play significant roles not just in sports, but in life and leadership.

The conversation doesn't shy away from the often misunderstood aspects of corporate leadership. We dissect the pitfalls of promoting individuals without proper preparation and highlight the pressing need for emotional intelligence and people skills.

By drawing powerful parallels with sports, Margaret illustrates how the skills necessary for individual excellence differ radically from those required to lead a team effectively. We critique existing reward systems and advocate for a balanced approach to leadership training that genuinely fosters team motivation and development.

Margaret also delves into the importance of embracing the process over fixating on results, with compelling examples from elite athletes like Steph Curry and LeBron James. We tackle the real issue of procrastination disguised as learning, emphasizing the necessity of translating knowledge into action.

From balancing personal fitness with professional responsibilities to the therapeutic influence of music in maintaining personal boundaries, this episode is a treasure trove of insights.

Margaret wraps up by sharing invaluable tips on mindset, goal-setting, and resilience, all aimed at helping you achieve your best self.

linkedin.com/in/margaret-jennings

Unlock the secrets of personal growth and leadership with our special guest, Jen Sellar. Learn how she transitioned from a life rooted in a Catholic, academic upbringing to becoming a beacon of inspiration in the corporate world. Jen's journey from physical education to supporting her partner's medical residency across Canada offers a unique perspective on resilience and adaptability.

Her insights into the flaws of the corporate environment and innovative ideas for improvement will resonate with anyone seeking to navigate their career challenges more effectively.

Ever felt trapped in an unfulfilling job? Explore our candid discussion on the emotional toll of toxic leadership and the courage it takes to seek better opportunities. Drawing from my own professional experiences, we walk through the trials and tribulations of navigating demanding roles, the unexpected shift to considering human resources, and the eventual plunge into commercial insurance. Each career move, marked by lessons in self-discovery and resilience, is a testament to the importance of finding meaning in one's work and life.

Finally, we touch on the transformative power of overcoming self-criticism and embracing personal growth. Jen and I share the significance of focusing on effort and learning rather than past mistakes. From fostering leadership within organizations to creating safe spaces where people can be authentic, this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt anecdotes.

Whether you're looking to unlock your potential or inspire others to do the same, our conversation offers valuable takeaways for making meaningful changes in both personal and professional realms.

linkedin.com/in/jen-sellar

How do you stay grounded while living a life constantly in motion? Lyndsee Nielson, a writer and soon-to-be-published author, joins us to share her unique perspective on adapting to ever-changing environments.

Growing up with frequent relocations, Lyndsee developed an extraordinary skill set for making fast friends and thriving in new places. She opens up about how these experiences fostered her zest for travel and adventure while nurturing a deep-seated desire for stability.

During our conversation, Lyndsee recounts her college years in Austin, where she navigated personal upheavals, including her parents' divorce. Finding community through Texas Spirits and serendipitous job opportunities, she shifted her academic focus from fine arts to sociology and philosophy.

This journey underscores the transformative power of inspiring professors and the enriching, unpredictable nature of life's path. We also explore the nuances of her professional life, from her initial foray into tech to becoming a sought-after LinkedIn content creator and freelancer.

Finally, we delve into the essence of human connection in our digital age. Lyndsee shares her approach to building an authentic personal brand and network, emphasizing the importance of proactive career management. She discusses the joy of ghostwriting, capturing a client's voice, and integrating artistic elements into her work.

We conclude with a heartfelt discussion on empathy, symbolized by her unique world map tattoo, and reflect on how adopting diverse perspectives can profoundly impact our lives.

lyndseeloves.com