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Passioneer® Paula Caligiuri, Work Psychologist, Author, Career Coach

November 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, November 10th, we’re interviewing Paula Caligiuri on our Blog Talk Radio Show, The Passions and Possibilities Network®.

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:00am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities.

Paula Caligiuri, Ph.D. is a work psychologist dedicated to helping people navigate the professional and personal challenges associated with their careers. She is the author of Get a Life, Not a Job: Do What You Love and Let Your Talents Work for You (FT Press, 2010) and a popular work-life harmony career blog. Dr. Caligiuri is a frequent contributor to CNN on career and management topics and has completed a pilot for a television show, CareerWATCH.

With a focus on global careers, she has written (with Steven Poelmans) Harmonizing Work, Family, and Personal Life (Cambridge Press, 2008). Her book (with Dave Lepak and Jaime Bonache), Managing the Global Workforce (Wiley, 2010) is popular among both scholars and practitioners in international management.

Dr. Caligiuri is also a Professor in the Human Resource Management Department at Rutgers University, where she teaches courses in career management and global human resources at the masters, PhD, and executive levels. She is an internationally recognized expert on global careers and strategic human resource management. She has lectured in numerous universities and has been a speaker for many major corporations in the United States, Asia, and Europe. She can be reached at www.PaulaCaligiuri.com

Her Passioneer Questionnaire:

SO: What’s your definition of “passion?”
For me, passion is the concept of “flow” the ability to be fully present and mindful and lose myself in the moment.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?
The five key factors of my success:  (1) staying true to myself, (2) owning my career, (3) having high self-efficacy for the stretch challenges I have given myself, (4) appreciating the role others have played in any success I’ve had, and (5) re-defining success on my own terms – and believing that I am a work in progress. One word:  tenacity

SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?
Money – I’ve taken some financial risks (i.e., taking on debt to move myself forward), making some financial mistakes along the way and learning from them.  I’ve also worked on some income-generating career acts to help fund other projects for which I had a greater passion.

Time – Does anyone ever have enough time to do more of what they enjoy?  I have become intensely protective of my time and try to shed those pieces of my life that are less interesting.

SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?
I have had the best mentors from early in my career (who have stayed with me throughout my career). I’ve dedicated “Get a Life, Not a Job” to them because they have been influential from age 18 in helping me find my strengths and showing me my options for using my talents.

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?
Confucius said it best “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?
She’ll be missed.

SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?
You cannot own your job but you can own your career.  Stay in control of your own development.
Have a well-formulated plan on achieving your career goal.  Sometimes one aspect of your career may need to fund another.

Manage all of your resources well:  time, money, energy.  Use your discretionary resources to move you closer to your career goal.

Thanks Paula and Happy Passioneering!

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Are You a Passioneer?

November 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment


Take this short quiz to find out!


Happy Passioneering!

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Passioneer® Stephanie A. Jones, Political/Social Scientist, Founder of Geek Nerd Wonk

November 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Stephanie A. Jones, J.D., LL.M., M.P.H., is the Founder of GeekNerdWonk Charitable Foundation (“GNW”) (www.geeknerdwonk,org –  under construction!)

Stephanie, raised in Los Angeles, began her training as multi-disciplinary social and political scientist, taking degrees from Yale (Sociology, with specialty in Political Science, cum laude) and Columbia (Masters of Public Heath, in Ethics and History of Public Health, in Socio-medical Science), as well as a doctorate (J.D., University of Cincinnati, College of Law, American Jurisprudence Award, Law Review) and a post-doctorate degree in law (LL.M) in Mental Health Policy.

A life long scholar, Stephanie went to medical school for a few years -  abandoned over fury of health care waste, and institutionalized, socio-cultural, systemic conditions that guarantee health care disparities in marginalized and vulnerable populations.  She’s studied graduate level Bioethics at the University of Dayon, Death Penalty with Cornell’s Law School in Paris, International Human Rights with Gonzaga’s law school in Florence.  Graduate psychology studies at Columbia in Neuroscience, Stigma and Social Marketing complimented her training at Stanford’s Political Psychology Institute, and in Johns Hopkins’ Department of Psychiatry.  She’s published in multiple venues, and works across the US and in Africa for marginalized, vulnerable and discriminated against populations, often doing work where multiple stigmatized statuses operate synergistically.  She thinks of herself as an educator, researcher and writer.

The Passions and Possibilities Network Radio Show airs every Wednesday at 9am PST on Blog Talk Radio.  Join us live by dialing in at (347) 205-9038 with your questions, insights, and comments.  Thanks and Happy Passioneering!

Stephanie’s Passioneer Questionnaire:

SZO:  What’s your definition of “passion”?

Passion is living one’s one unrepeatable life wrung dry.

SZO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

The key factors in success are both the possession of and a reputation for the possession of unimpeachable integrity, over-generosity of time, talent, resources and work ethic; and a certain St. Bernard-ish slobbery enthusiasm for every conceivable person met or subject broached.   And get up EARLY!

SZO:  What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

I belong to many of the marginalized groups for which I work, and it is my speaking openly about my overcoming and/or the managing of these challenges which motivates my work.  I live with severe bipolar disorder and I am recovered from alcoholism, anorexia, and severe domestic violence. Most who possess such stigmatized statuses do not live in a time in which there exist finely tuned psychotropic medication, to which I am neurobiologically responsive and 100% medication compliant  for the best medical care one can buy.

As an adult, after marriage, children, a divorce, and heterosexually dating, I happened to fall in love with a woman.  Therefore, I live with what could be imposed upon me, were I to allow it,  multiple, synergistically-operating stigmatized statuses.

Most who possess such stigmatized identities have not my sheer dumb luck of having been born as a white American Citizen, with the unearned gifts of private and Ivy league schools,  and having had a  debutante ball, hailing from a family dating back (in America) to the Colonial Wars.  This social capital TRUMPS my would-be stigmatized statuses. These psychotropic drugs have enabled me to dance in the black of Aristotle’s “genius/madman” ledger, have enabled me to obtain a preposterously superb education, and enabled me to earn professional credibility and authority.  It is my calling to speak out for and work on behalf of those who are not so blessed as I, who are too frightened to get help for the types of synergistically operating stigmas one might want to put on me.

SZO:  Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

My mother, who is unconditional love, wisdom, and tenacity personified; and who taught me that one can indeed have one best friend for an entire lifetime.

Sir Winston Churchill, who, like me, suffered a mind besieged by bipolar disorder, at a time in which there was no medical help to assuage his pain, while insisting “Never, never, never give up.”  And he never, never, never gave up.

SZO:  Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in action; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny” – Tyron Edwards

“The first quality needed is audacity.” – Sir Winston Churchill.

SZO:  What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

“She left everything on the field.”

SZO:  What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

1) You must be prepared to work harder than you can conceivably imagine.  That means a 9-5 job to keep a roof over your head, and another 6 hours per day devoted to your true passion and/or volunteering, to whatever feels most authentic to you.  If you do not work 14-16 hours a day you will never escape your 9-5 job, when the goal is to be so successful at your authentic job you can do IT alone for 14-16 hours a day.

2) There is no vacancy waiting for you.  You have to claim your space. There is no room at the top just waiting for your particular brilliance, ready and willing to step to the side to enable your joining the hallowed ranks.  Educate yourself, give of yourself, establish your credibility, and then march in and claim your space.  Then work twice as hard to maintain your right to be there.

3) If you tell the truth. 100% of the time, you never have to remember anything you have ever said.

Thanks Stephanie!

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Passioneers® Gary Mantz and Suzanne Mitchell, Radio Show Co-Hosts, Metaphysicians

October 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gary Mantz was twelve years old when he surreptitiously read Flying Saucers Serious Business by Frank Edwards in an art class where he discovered he was a truly terrible artist. As it turns out, his art is painting word pictures on The Gary Mantz Show Sundays 7-9pm on Alternative Talk 1150.  He can be reached at www.garymantz.com.   Suzanne Mitchell grew up in Chicago and graduated from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature.  As producer and co-host of The Gary Mantz Show, Suzanne uses her proficiency in business matters to organize the elements of show production and sometimes jumps into the on-air conversations.

Catch them live on Wednesday, October 27th, when we interview them on the Passions and Possibilities® Radio Show.

SZO:  What’s your definition of “passion”? The thing you do when all your duties are handled and you are free to do as you please.

SZO:  What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it? Gary: curiosity  Suzanne: persistence

SZO:  What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

Gary: overcoming the intransigence of those who considerate their professional duty to hold me back by dogged determination and a belief in a higher power  Suzanne: wanting to do more things than time permits and having to let some things go

SZO:  Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

Gary: Vin Scully & Art Bell, two giants of broadcasting  Suzanne: Gary

SZO Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

Gary: do it or don’t do it; you’re going to die anyway, so how would you like to spend the rest of yours days? You’ve got to choose. Suzanne: allow the unexpected.

SZO   What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Gary: He did what he most loved to do and he did it pretty well.   Suzanne: I miss her.

SZO:  What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

A: ignore the people that tell you you can’t do it because of your age, race, religion, or any social category that excludes you. B: nurture your passion privately until you’re ready to go public C: let your passion be tempered with gradualness. Be enthusiastic and methodical at the same time.

Thanks Gary and Suzanne and Happy Passioneering!



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Passioneer® Lissa Rankin, Founder of Owning Pink, Author, Ob/Gyn Physician

October 19, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lissa Rankin is an OB/GYN physician, an author, a nationally-represented professional artist, as well as the founder of Owning Pink, a website and series of workshops committed to building authentic community and empowering others to get their mojo back. She is currently redefining health at the Owning Pink Center, her practice in Mill Valley, California. She is the author What’s Up Down There: Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend (St. Martin’s Press). She currently lives in Northern California with her husband and fellow artist, Matt Klein, and their daughter, Siena.

Catch her live on Wednesday, October 20th on when we interview her on our Passions and Possibilities® Radio Show.

Lissa’s Passioneer Questionnaire:

SZO:  What’s your definition of “passion”?

The word we use for that in the Owning Pink community is “mojo” or MOre JOy. It’s that joie de vivre, the feeling of complete aliveness coursing through your veins, rocking out in all areas of your life – physical health, relationships, spirituality, creativity, sexuality, etc. It’s all about owning who you are and being all you, all the time. That kind of vitality is infectious and inspiring.

SZO:  What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

That word would be Pleap (that’s a “Pink leap of faith” in our community). For the past four years, my life has been about taking one giant leap of faith after another. I’ve listened to signs from the Universe and done what has been in my heart, even if it made no sense at the time. The series of Pleaps began when I quit my job as a full time OB/GYN in a busy managed care practice where I was expected to see 40 patients a day. Subsequent Pleaps have included moving my family hundreds of miles (twice), starting OwningPink.com, opening my own wellness center, writing two books, and countless other things that seemed insane at the time, but ended up being exactly what I needed.

SZO:  What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

The signs from the Universe have not always pointed me in directions I necessarily wanted to go. The decisions I’ve needed to make have been far from convenient, and definitely not easy. For example, I was working in an integrative medical center last year, when I began receiving signs that it was time to leave and start my own wellness center (the Owning Pink Center). I reeeeally didn’t want to accept this, as it would take me way out of my comfort zone and pose challenges I didn’t know if I was ready to undertake. Whenever I’ve felt a calling like that, it’s always come with a whole host of objections from the part of me that just wants things to be easy and straightforward. But I’ve never once regretted answering the call.

SZO:  Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

After what I call my “perfect storm,” where I gave birth to my daughter, my dog died, my brother ended up in liver failure (he’s okay now), and my beloved father died – all within two weeks – I decided that I couldn’t continue living life in a way that didn’t feel authentic. I decided then and there that it was time to be all me, all the time, and let the chips fall where they may. As I said, the first step was quitting my job, and a miraculous series of events unfolded (and keep unfolding) from there.

SZO:  Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“To be what you must, you must give up what you are.” That’s from a song by Yusaf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens). We can’t get too attached to things as they are. Life is ever-changing. As I learned from my perfect storm, your world can get turned upside down in the space of a few weeks. If we hold too tightly to what we think we’re supposed to be, life will do a number on us. I’ve found that letting go of fixed ideas about anything helps me to move forward with an open heart. I’ve surrendered to the Universe’s master plan, and know that that is full of surprises. I need to be open to whatever life is asking of me, which requires a lot of flexibility and willingness to change.

SZO:  What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

I don’t want them to remember me as any one thing – doctor, artist, writer, mom, daughter, wife – I want them to remember me as a whole, authentic, real, loving human being who inspired others to be whole, to embrace their vitality and to never fear taking leaps of faith. If even one person can say that I was the midwife helping her give birth to herself, I’ll have left the legacy I desire.

SZO:  What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

  • Go with the flow. You can’t know everything the Universe has planned for you. Sticking too rigidly to one plan often results in struggle and suffering.
  • Set intentions but surrender attachment to any specific outcome. The Universe might have something even better in store for you.
  • Once you are clear on your purpose in this life, ask the Universe for what you need to support you, and be open to what comes. You’ll be amazed at how often your prayers are answered.

Thanks Lissa and Happy Passioneering everyone!

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Passioneer® Dan Hanneman, Counselor, Hypnotherapist

October 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, October 6th, we’re interviewing Dan Hanneman on our Blog Talk Radio Show, The Passions and Possibilities Network®.


Dan Hanneman

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:00am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities.

Dan Hanneman has an extensive background as a professional counselor and certified hypnotherapist with combined business and professional backgrounds in energy work, spiritual life coaching, metaphysics, Religious Science, hypnosis, psychology, motivational techniques, and personal/business development systems. He is the founder and CEO of BlockBust Your Path.  Dan created BlockBust Your Path to empower conscious entrepreneurs to live their Life Purpose fully to make a bigger impact in the world. He can be reached at www.spiritualrockstar.com

What’s your definition of “passion”?

The things that are most deep and meaningful to you.

What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

Key Factors:  Boldness, Courage, Service/Love, Meditation, Energy Work, Persistence

One Word:  Persistence

What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

Expecting instant results, doubting myself at times, lack of understanding of importance of energy resonance, lack of fully loving myself, fully trusting my intuition at all times, owning my authentic gifts, non-willingness to be humble

Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

The birth of my first child was the beginning of starting my path full-time as a entrepreneur.

Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Be The Change You Want To See In The World” – Mahatma Gandhi

What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Dan – He stretched the limits of what we recognize what is possible and most real about us.  He opened us to a dimension of who we are that many of us had been completely asleep to recognizing.  His bravery is sharing his light with the world is an inspiration to us all!!! (or something like this J)

What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

1.   Be clear about what are your top 5 passions.  Clarity provides power to manifest.

2.     Now is always a good time to leap into living your passions.

3.     Choose in favor of your passions always.

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Creating a Powerful Video to Share Your Passioneer® Story

October 7, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Videos are red hot hot HOT!  They allow your audience to connect on a more personal level with you than text and audio, and search engines love them.   So creating and posting a few simple, short videos on your website can provide tremendous marketing traction in sharing your Passioneer® story. If you’ve been procrastinating about taking the plunge into videos, the tips below are for you!

Clarify Your Intention

  • Start with the end in mind:  Do you want to entertain, inform, call into action, etc?  Choose and focus on one primary intention.
  • Who is your target audience?   Focus more on what they want to see than on what you want to share.
  • What do you want your viewers to feel, think or do after watching your video?  This is critical!
  • What must you communicate in order to elicit this response in them?

What Makes a Great Video?  K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Silly)

  • Keep it real, relaxed, and conversational.
  • Keep it brief:  video lengths have been dropping over the past few years.  Under two minutes is a great start.
  • Create a compelling call to action:  Be clear on what you want your viewers to do next (e.g., join your email list, call you, sign up for a class)
  • Be creative, playful, and have fun!  Enough said.
  • Release judgment and need for perfection: Some of the most popular videos are popular because of their imperfections.
  • Maintain professionalism: real and relaxed does not mean sloppy or profane.
  • Show rather than tell: Find creative ways to demonstrate the key points in your message.  Use stories rather than boring monologues.
  • Include client testimonials or examples of results:  Bonus points if you get footage of clients’ sharing how you impacted their lives or businesses.

Creating a Great Video

  • Use a flip, webcam, camera, or video camera that you have begged, borrowed, but not stolen.  Try some types out before you buy.   Nowadays you can get a solid, highly-functional videocamera for less than $200 .  Try out offerings from Flip, Sony, Sanyo.
  • Have someone assist you:  It’s so much easier and better to have another individual doing the video recording, so that you can focus on your message.
  • Write out the outline and basic “script” of your video so that you know where you are headed.
  • Practice a few times, yet not too much.  You do NOT want to memorize your script, nor come across as too polished.  Think “approachable”.
  • Pick a great video location with some visually interesting, but not too distracting or loud, backgrounds.
  • Learn to do some minor editing, using inexpensive video-editing programs.  Or find a virtual assistant, intern, student, or someone else who can assist you.  Minor edits include deleting obvious mistakes or distractions.
  • Upload your video to YouTube, Hulu, Facebook, Vimeo, Viddler, etc., or use  TubeMogul to post your video to all of them at once.
  • Share with as many of your social media connections as possible, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, etc.

Good Luck and Happy Passioneering!

Coming Up in Our Next Post:  “How to Prepare Your First Video, and How to Improve…”

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Passioneer® Book Review: Karmic Management (What Goes Around…)

October 3, 2010 By Leave a Comment

I just finished the short ‘n sweet Karmic Management by Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally, and Michael Gordon, who also published the book The Diamond Cutter last year.  Karmic Management has TONS of valuable insights and wisdom for social and spiritual entrepreneurs who want to thrive as they give back.  These authors aren’t spouting psycho-spiritual mumbo jumbo.  Nope.  They’re imparting authentic, practical, and universal principles that have led to the success of their own businesses. Two BIG Passioneering thumbs up!

What is so great about this book, besides its brevity, clarity and simplicity?  Let me count the ways:

  • Eight practical rules to unleash karma more fully in your personal and professional ventures, even if you’re not a “color inside the lines” kinda person.  My favorite two rules:
    • “KM Rule #1: Stop Doing Things that Don’t Work”. The authors suggest that we spend most of our lives mitigating risks and dealing with uncertainty and the possibility of failure.  That’s human nature, yes, AND what becomes possible if, instead, we operate as if we are sure that things will work out?   What if our chances of success are actually 100%?  What a concept!   Admittedly, there are many behaviors that I keep doing that just don’t work, and I keep expecting different results = the definition of insanity.  How about you?  Karmic Management Rule #1 is a clarion for new ways of thinking and being.
    • “KM Rule #5: Stop Making Decisions”.   Step away from the left-brained analysis, lists of pros and cons, and heavy-duty contingency planning.  “Decisions are borne from the uncertainty of the odds,” state these authors, so they are reactionary, non-creative, and kill possibilities.  How can a world possibly operate without decision-making?  In my own career, I received lots of money to help corporate executives make major decisions and mitigate risks for their businesses.   So this tenet seems to fly in the face of everything American.  Yet, what I glean from Rule #5 is to stay open, flexible, and nimble by making moment-to-moment choices via intuition and whole-brain thinking rather than by reams of analytics.   The line between choosing and deciding, albeit fine, is distinct and powerful, because it props open the doors of infinite possibilities.
  • A calling by the authors to NOT read the book from cover to cover in one sitting (like I did).  Instead, they recommend savoring each of the short chapters and completing the relevant exercises.   Moving through the book for the second time, I am really getting the principles at a much deeper, richer level.
  • An emphasis on a balanced, holistic mind/body/spirit approach.   The chapter-end exercises include practices that are simple to incorporate into busy schedules: meditation/reflection (“quiet sitting”), journaling, and changing the way that you eat.
  • Transformed business life cycles. The authors suggest that, by following Karmic Management principles, you can bust through the normal business life cycle of birth, growth, maturation and closure.  How?  By continually paying it forward and planting karmic seeds among your business partners, clients, and others.  Using this approach, your business catapults to a new, higher level of growth and success, instead of nosediving into non-existence.

Simply put?  Things go better with karma.  When I am on the hunt for “what’s in it for them,” instead of what’s in it for me, my days are more fun, connected, and the synergies abound.  While I never know exactly when or how things will come back around for me, I can rest assured that they will in miraculous, often-mysterious ways.   What is required is the releasing of control and my expectations of how it should look.   When I remember that surrendering is really strength in action and that not knowing is wisdom unfolding, I’m able to live more fully and joyfully in the moment.

Happy Karmic Passioneering![/private][/private]

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Passioneer® Shannon Rose, Inspirational Speaker, Coach

September 28, 2010 By Leave a Comment

On Wednesday, September 29th, we’re interviewing Shannon Rose on our Blog Talk Radio Show, The Passions and Possibilities Network®.

Shannon Ros

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:30am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities.

Shannon’s story is one of a fight where he never gave up no matter what people told him. From the age of 2, he has battled, losing his voice for a year, unable to use his arms on and off throughout his life, and in constant pain along with doubt from doctors. At an early age he told them that he will succeed at life and have his arm raised in victory. He has been a radio producer, TV Producer, Pro Wrestling Announcer, Actor, and owning his own PR Company. These are just a few things he has done in a short time as he took the word Can’t and took the T off to say “I can!”

What’s your definition of “passion?”

Passion means to me working 24/7 to make the best out of what you do. Passion means crying, hurting, and pulling yourself up as you reach to that door of success. I have opened it and later in the year it is calling my name. Passion comes within , that burning desire to do whatever it takes to improve as there is always room for improvement and to be #1 in what you do.

What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

I have flipped my lifelong health problems from adversity into a personal challenge for success. TRIUMPH

What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

I have constantly battled pain and paralysis in my arms. I have sought the best medical treatment available and not allowed my illness to interfere with my goals. I have had doctors tell me through the years that my illness will disable me, that my illness is in my head I can overcome it, that my illness will force me to be in a wheelchair. I said you do not know who I am and I will be the greatest at what I do nothing less.

Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

I developed a fondness for professional wrestling when I was confined as a child. The late Gordon Solie opened the door for me and Hulk Hogan inspired me.

Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

“Winners never quit and quitters never win!” (Vince Lombardi)

What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

Hopefully that I led by example to inspire others to overcome adversity to obtain their goals.

What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

Maintain a positive attitude; stay focused on your goals despite any forks in the road; Never let People bring you down.

The Passions and Possibilities Network® airs weekly at 9 am PST, and features bold, inspired individuals who have leaped vibrantly into making big contributions in the world. We share their stories in order to inspire others who are scared, stuck or discouraged about their own leap. Our mission? To prove that when you do what you love and give back, the rest DOES follow! Check out our Passioneer coaching services at Powerleaps LLC.

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Passioneers® Barbara Techel and Jenny Pavlovic

September 21, 2010 By Leave a Comment

On Wednesday September 22nd, we’re interviewing Barbara Techel and Jenny Pavlovic.

Barbara Techel

Barbara Techel is an advocate for animals with disabilities sharing the story of how her dachshund was diagnosed with Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) persevered after surgery, physical therapy and then was custom-fitted for a doggie wheelchair. Frankie and Barbara educate children and adults through the Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book series about seeing their challenges in a positive way, understanding disc disease, as well as encouraging others to be of service to their communities, despite obstacles they may face. They visit local schools, organizations, and nursing homes, as well as classrooms across the US and Canada via Skype.  They are also active as a therapy dog volunteer team visiting a local hospital, senior assisted living facility, and hospice community regularly each month. She can be reached at http://www.joyfulpaws.com/

Jenny Pavlovic with Chase, Cayenne, and Bandit

Jenny Pavlovic, Ph.D. is a writer, speaker, blogger, animal lover, and biomedical engineer whose life was changed dramatically by her animal rescue experiences in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. Pavlovic is the author of the award-winning 8 State Hurricane Kate: The Journey and Legacy of a Katrina Cattle Dog and the new Not Without My Dog Resource & Record Book. She grew up in Wisconsin and currently lives in Afton, Minnesota with her three dogs. She can be reached at http://www.8statekate.net/

Dial in live at 347-205-9038 or via streaming radio at 9:30am PST at www.blogtalkradio.com/passionsandpossibilities

Barbara and Jenny’s Passioneer Q & A

SO: What’s your definition of “passion”?

BARBARA: My definition of passion is that every day is a joy to be alive- that you can hardly wait to get out of bed each morning to begin your day- that each day I will learn something new to help me to continue to evolve- that my heart will continue to lead the way if I am still and listen- that living my truth will continually help me expand on my passions.
JENNY: Compulsion, drive, love. Something that you are passionate about is something that you almost can’t not do, something that you work on late at night instead of sleeping, that you dream about at night, that you jump out of bed early in the morning to get back to. Something that you know you are meant to do, that fulfills and completes you, and gives something meaningful of yourself back to the world.

SO: What have been the key factors in your success and what one word best describes it?

BARBARA: My one word to describe success is: Believe. Key factor is that I believe in myself and that I can follow my heart and pursue what is important to me. Hiring a life coach 5-years ago was a key factor in helping me discover what matters to me, how to set boundaries, and then go after what brings me joy.
JENNY:Key factors include knowing what I’m meant to be doing, even if I don’t know quite how I’m supposed to make it happen, continuing to move in that direction, even when it seems to be two steps forward and one step back, and hearing from people about how I’ve influenced their lives, especially when they have been motivated to help animals. Love, persistence, resilience. I guess that’s three words!

SO: What has been your biggest challenge(s) in leaping into your passions, and how you have addressed them?

BARBARA: Sometimes I lose belief in myself so I make sure to surround myself with positive people, as well as continue to read self-help, inspiring books, listen to motivational speakers, etc.  Also when I feel stuck on my next step I seek out help.  For example, right now I am working with a marketing consultant to expand on what I am already doing to expand my message.
JENNY: My biggest challenges have been finding the time to follow my passions while still supporting myself by doing something else, getting the message across with limited resources, and continuing to work on my passions at times when it felt very lonely. I have addressed these challenges by continuing to follow my passions anyway, knowing that I’m supposed to be doing this no matter the outcome.

SO: Who or what inspired you to leap into your passion?

BARBARA: My biggest inspirations are my dogs because they have truly given me courage to step into each moment with faith and enjoy the journey.  Frankie, especially, has given me a confidence I never had before.  Watching her persevere despite having a wheelchair, has helped me in so many ways, such as not worrying what others think of me or my dreams/passion, and going after what is important to me, despite what others may think.
JENNY: All those lost animals who needed help after Hurricane Katrina inspired me to go down to Louisiana to help. An old lost cattle dog who was down for the count and quickly running out of options completely changed my life. I knew she was put in my path for a reason and I went through a lot of red tape to get the paperwork to foster her and evacuate her ahead of Hurricane Rita. I drove back home to Minnesota with her and that is how she became known as 8 State Hurricane Kate (we traveled through eight states on the way home). I wrote my first book to give Kate and the other lost Katrina animals a voice. I hoped it would help me find her original family. Funny thing, last summer when I was visiting my family, my mom found a “book” that I had written as a young girl. It was about “the puppy that couldn’t say roof”. I guess that story was inside of me for most of my life. Forty years later, Kate brought it out of me because I wanted to give her a voice. I didn’t want her to be forgotten. And she gave me a voice too! I had always thought I might write a book some day, maybe after I retired. But Kate’s story was urgent! I had to get it written!

SO: Do you have a quote that you would like to share that speaks of you and your passion?

BARBARA: “We should examine ourselves and learn the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.” -Mary Baker Eddy
JENNY: “Nothing silences doubt like putting one foot in front of the other, moving in the direction of your dreams. Keep taking that next step.” – Jenny Pavlovic

SO: What do you hope people would say about you when you’re gone?

BARBARA: I hope people will say that I inspired them and I was a joy to be around.  I hope they will say I gave them the courage to be true to themselves.  I also hope they will say I made a difference in the lives of others.
JENNY: She cared. She did something about it. She was herself. She lived with integrity and tried to do the right thing even when nobody was watching. She learned to share the things that made her different (instead of feeling funny about them) because they enabled her to bring her unique gifts to the world. She wasn’t afraid to take the path less traveled when that was her calling. She gave something unique and valuable to the world. She loved and understood animals, and they loved and understood her. She stuck up for the underdogs, who were some of her best friends. I’ll be happy if they say just one of the above!

SO: What three brief tips can you give to somebody making the leap into their passion?

BARBARA: My biggest tip is to follow your heart- really.  All my life I followed my head, but when I decided to follow my heart, I was amazed at the doors that opened for me and continue to open for me. Another tip is not to worry what others think.  Do what is right for you.  No one else lives in your head and heart and you truly do know what is best for your life. Find someone who believes in you, who will listen to your ups and downs and have your best interest at heart.  For me, that was having a life coach to help get me going.
JENNY:Know your own heart, even when people try to undermine you for following it. Don’t be afraid to be who you are and make your unique contributions to the world. When a door closes on you, look for the next one to open. Enjoy!

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The Passions and Possibilities Network® airs weekly at 9 am PST, and features bold, inspired individuals who have leaped vibrantly into making big contributions in the world.  We share their stories in order to inspire others who are scared, stuck or discouraged about their own leap.  Our mission?  To prove that when you do what you love and give back, the rest DOES follow!  Check out our Passioneer coaching services at Powerleaps LLC.

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Bi-Monthly PassioneerConnect Calls

September 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

[private][private]On the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 5:30 pm PST Pacific, Sue Oliver will facilitate a 60-minute coaching call on the attitudes, belief, and behaviors of successful Passioneering. If you seek to thrive at what you love, while giving back, then these calls are for you. The format will include key elements of masterminding such as brainstorming, celebrating successes, sharing action steps, being held accountable for follow-through, and group support.

  • Second Thursday of each month, 5:30 pm PST: Vision and Focus (“Catch the vision and keep it!”)
  • Fourth Thursday of each month, 5:30 pm PST: Action and Balance (“Take baby steps and stay in balance.”)

Agenda for The Calls

  • Opening/Centering
  • Check-in on well-being and successes
  • Brief discussion topic
  • Commitment to action and well-being steps for upcoming 2 weeks
  • Closing

To register for the calls, please fill out the information below:

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How to Contribute

September 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

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There are many ways to support budding Passioneers in leaping fully and vibrantly in their passions for giving back, particularly our new WA-state charitable nonprofit, Make a Passion Possible. Click here to find out more how you can support our efforts.

Happy Passioneering![/private][/private]

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