Age Appropriate: A Podcast for the Ages

Fear and self-doubt are part of being a college student. Sometimes, you may feel a fear of failure. Today you may be uncertain because of social unrest or the pandemic. In the end, knowing yourself and what makes you, your "authentic self" is the roadmap you'll need to be successful. It will help you stay above the drama and settle in a personal "space" that is only yours to claim. Join me and Sonia David, Vermont ('13) and Harvard Divinity School ('16) examine what those opportunities and obstacles may be. In Sonia's work at the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations, she's uniquely positioned and strategically set up to advise our future leaders on how to push forward and create the moments of hope and optimism. Support the Show.

Emerging leaders, young people in their 20's and 30's could transform entire regions, making them more prosperous, more just, and more secure. The key is to engage them, pique their interest and activate them. Rewarding them for their ingenuity and creative spirit - by simply trusting them to do more, in their own way will pay huge dividends. Join me and Kolby Keo, Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, in a robust discussion on why the time is now - perhaps more than ever, ahead of a pivotal U.S. election to tap into this generation of leaders. They got next! Support the Show.

Self-awareness and resiliency are pivotal in creating a future that is bright, full of opportunities and meaningful if you're open to change. As simple as that may all sound, they are not easy boxes to check. Join me and Donna James, the Managing Director of Lardon & Associates and former Chair of the National Women's Business Council (a role she was tapped for and appointed to by President Barack Obama) for a lively discussion on tips that you can use today. Donna's spirit of generosity is infectious. In fact, even if you have not had the pleasure of following her philanthropic work and community outreach, you will leave the conversation believing she was speaking directly to you. Support the Show.

Host, Todd Corley sits down with Alana Jochum, Executive Director, Equality Ohio. In her role, she leads all aspects of management for the statewide education and advocacy organization on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. In this episode, we give context to why it is so important for all of us to acknowledge a persons pronoun. Using pronouns correctly, not only validates a persons identity, but it promotes dignity and respect for individuality. Parents of children, teachers, business owners, co-workers and people from all walks of life are beginning to understand the full weight of importance in doing something as simple as using a pronoun to create a sense of belonging. Although there may be awkwardness across the generational spectrum, there are tips and tools on embracing this type of personal expression that are not as daunting as it may seem. Support the Show.

Host Todd Corley sits down with Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., Co-Founder & President, The Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. Ken, a direct descendant of Frederick Douglass, The Great Abolitionist, and Booker T. Washington, the famed educator and founder of Tuskegee Institute, shares insights about how the past can help us inform the future. Considering the years of enslavement and denial of basic human rights, Ken sheds light on how Frederick Douglass focused on critical thinking, the power of his words and the technology of his day, to demand his liberation and equality. A theme that runs throughout the podcast is how a teenage version of his ancestors, Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington, would approach today's call for change. Spoiler alert: Vote! Support the Show.

Host Todd Corley is joined by Gen Xer Erica Mock, Legislative Chair at ASIS International. Together, they shed light on the emotional weight, labor and tax women of color bear. Erica discusses her experiences in a male dominated field and enlightens listeners on the challenges she faces at the intersections of gender, race, and ethnicity. --- Erica Mock serves as Legislative Chair at ASIS International, the world's largest membership organization for security management professionals, and Commercial Account Executive at multinational conglomerate Johnson Controls, producer of the world’s largest portfolio of building products, technologies, software, and services. Support the Show.

During this episode, host Todd Corley (@corleytodd) chats with Millennial CEO, author, and professional Shambreika Wise on the topic of toxic friendships. Together, they explore how to spot when relationships turn sour and how to sever ties with those we feel emotionally connected to -- if not co-dependent on -- both at home and at work. --- Shambrekiá Wise is concurrently CEO of FuzeU, and organization offering college majors pursuing STEM the opportunity to connect with industry experts for the purposes of excelling academically during their college journey and preparing for their future career and Health Insurance Specialist for the Department of Health and Human Services in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Before relocating to the Washington, D.C. Metro Area, Shambrekiá focused on her studies in Biological Sciences at The University of Arkansas. She went directly into her Master’s program at The University of Tennessee Knoxville where she was awarded an academic fellowship and other scholarships to obtain her Masters of Public Health degree with a concentration in health planning and administration in 2010. For ten months, Shambrekiá worked on the health reform as a Project Officer in The Office of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight. While there, Shambrekiá monitored the development and financial activities of seven states to ensure they were not only making advancements towards establishing an Exchange, but to also ensure they were complying with other tenants of President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA). In August of 2011, Shambrekiá took a position in the Division of Children’s Health Insurance Programs where she concentrated on aligning existing policies with the ACA as well as the unique position of a Contracting Officer Representative. Shambrekiá is now residing in the Dallas Fort Worth Area where she is still employed with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as a Health Insurance Specialist. She is also the author of Last Stop...Dupont Circle. Support the Show.

Host Todd Corley chats with Baby Boomer Kevin Clayton, VP of Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement for the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers. Together, they explore how sports can serve as a blueprint for inclusion, belonging, and unity; especially at a time when the nation is so heavily divided. --- Kevin Clayton, VP of Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement for the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers, AHL Cleveland Monsters, G-League Canton Charge, AFL Cleveland Gladiators, NBA 2KL Cavs Legion and Quicken Loans Arena. In his role, Clayton leads the strategy, program planning and execution for diversity and inclusion initiatives to strengthen and expand the organization’s efforts to maintain a robust, welcoming and inclusive workplace culture. He also works closely with the organization’s senior leadership group and serves as a mentor, promoting additional educational programs and perspectives on the importance and value of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. In addition to facilitating a deeper engagement internally, Clayton works to further enrich the organization’s community relationships externally. Support the Show.

Host Todd Corley discusses power of value, agency, and worth with Millennial and Head of Diversity & Inclusion for The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Brianna Pina. --- Brianna Pina works proactively to provide counsel and support to The Broad Institute’s leaders. She enables them to leverage the power of diverse backgrounds and experiences to accelerate the pace at which the world conquers disease. She is responsible for the vision, design and implementation of programs and initiatives associated with creating a culture of belonging for all and the growth and development of employee resource groups. Support the Show.

Host Todd Corley discusses the concept of being "stuck" at work and in life. Together, with Gen Xer John Schaffner, Senior Lecturer, The Ohio State University & Academic Director, Fisher School of Business Professional Development Coaching Programs, they explore how the loss of purpose and motivation creates a contagion of status quo living and working. --- John Schaffner is a scholar-practitioner currently serving as the academic director of coaching in the Fisher Leadership Fellow Initiative. John has won two teaching awards for his classroom work and claims business coaching for Gen Y and Z, organizational culture and emotional intelligence for leaders as the center to his research pursuits. As a practitioner, he has held roles spanning Tour Manager for Wynton Marsalis to Global Leader at Abercrombie & Fitch to film startup founder. Support the Show.

Host Todd Corley discusses the transition from college to career and how employers across all industries can better prepare to be the workplace of choice for Generation Z with recent Villanova University graduate and software engineer, Kalvary Hawkins. --- Fluent in English, Mandarin and Italian, Kalvary Hawkins is the prototype that employers are looking to attract and keep in order for their organizations to be competitive in today’s connected world and global economy. A student leader at Villanova University, his work experience already includes web development and multimedia production for The Vatican in Rome, Italy and global market analysis for Bloomberg in New York, New York. Support the Show.