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Episode 172: When You Engage All of Your Talents, You Can Change the World

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The moment I saw Bejanae's face on my Zoom screen, I was filled with relief, comfort, and absolute certainty that she would entertain, add insight, and bring much needed light to my day.

The conversation began with an explanation of her unusual, melodic name, shifted to a discussion about the program her agency sponsored for students in the Atlanta, Georgia region, made its way to the difference between STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and STEAM (add Art in there), and back to Bejanae's pivotal moments in her career, which includes the story about the program we discussed earlier in the show.

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Episode 129: Travel IS Education, Academic, Personal, and Cultural

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Stories as a Tool to Address Anxiety

Callie Kazakoff was surprised to hear from me, and even more surprised to be asked to be a guest on this podcast.

Callie Kazakoff, Student at Montana State University

Callie Kazakoff, Student at Montana State University

"I'm only 20! What do I have to add?"

We met when she participated in my session in a day-long virtual leadership retreat. The topic was storytelling and personal brand, in the context of being intentional in the stories we share, particularly when we want to inspire action, or in client and job interview conversations.

Callie caught my attention when she briefly shared a story about stepping out of her comfort zone by signing up for a Semester at Sea study abroad programs, first semester of her sophomore year of college.

That was the timing of my semester abroad to Australia, and I knew she'd have fantastic recent stories of self-reflection, personal growth, humility, comfort zone expansion, and adventure.

She did not disappoint.

Callie's stories spanned from her unlikely decision, as someone who struggles with severe anxiety, to study abroad, to her recent "ah ha" moment in the middle of an anxiety attack while whitewater rafting for the first time.

She is a wise soul, and I see beautiful adventures in her future.