Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year and More | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Episode 304: Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year and More

Episode Notes

In this last episode for 2021, Mike Kabeya interviews me asking questions about the biggest lessons, updates, and personal challenges I overcame. Also included are your top three favorite conversations and our favorites.

I have found book writing to follow the emotional rollercoaster of innovation. Extreme highs and brilliant ‘ahas’ along with visits into the pit of pain like feeling inadequate, confused, and overwhelmed, to sittings with the writing imposter. Mike invites a brief update on where I am after missing a self-imposed deadline and my goal in 2022.

Out of the 100 or so book titles, my working title is this, Self-Leadership Mentoring: The Explorer’s Dual Innovation Practice. A practice-based on how we can evolve as a leader while redesigning our businesses. I developed the practice from working with thousands of entrepreneurial leaders since 1992. You will also hear where I am getting writing support.

Two books I Highly Recommend

A novel that explores themes of teamwork, coaching, family, and economic class. “The Boys in the Boat,” writes author Daniel James, “is a book that tells the story of nine American rowers who won an Olympic gold medal in 1936.” The book became a best-seller and adapted into The Boys of ’36 documentary.

“The novel follows Joe Rantz’s journey to the Olympics, during the Great Depression and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. It begins in 1933 when Joe attends the University of Washington and tries out for the rowing team.” This book was inspired by my daughter, Olivia, who joined the UW-Madison rowing team this fall.

The other book, given to me by a neighbor, is Fault Lines: Fractured Families and How to Mend Them by Dr. Karl Pillemer (2020). A rare book that explains the landscape of estrangement affecting more than 65 million Americans and how those he researched found a path to reconnection. I discuss an idea I am implementing to reconcile with my dad. Even if reconciliation doesn’t happen, this book broadens understanding and helps in conscious decision-making when relationships become strained.

Milestone Birthday Blunder Insights

Milestone birthdays have been challenging to plan with loved ones during this covid pandemic. What do you do? Who do you invite? How big or small? When under so much stress, do we allow for different ways we make decisions? How are we redefining expectations and handling disappointment?

My idea for celebrating my 60^th birthday this year flopped. The thought was to do something low-key, so I wrote down numbers from 1 to 60 on a piece of yellow tablet paper. I started the list by appreciating the vegan meal I made. I told Matthew and Olivia they could add to the list by writing down something they appreciated about me or did for me or a gift they bought. This spring (April) was still so stressful that I didn’t get the buy-in, which led to a hurt that triggered unnerving feelings about my self-worth. I discuss my learnings that included loving acts of forgiveness, understanding, and healing. Mike also shares how his celebration plans went for his wife, Sylvie Kabeya, on her 50^th birthday. Our conversation was surprisingly nurturing. You will hear what we both learned about ourselves and our spouses.

Before moving into your favorite podcast conversations, we discuss is a 21-Day Abundance exercise I did with a friend. Deepak Chopra created the exercise. I share the shocking results. Mike was so impressed with the results that he wants to go through this free 21-Day Abundance program. If you would like to join us, email me at nancy@wementor.com. I will get you the details.

Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year

#1 Barbara Winter, Pioneer, and Author of Making A Living Without A Job (2020 and 2021)

#2 The Amazing Hondo and his Life Experiences

#3 The series we did on Jim Conn’s entrepreneurial life received extra publicity.

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OUR FAVORITES

Mike’s favorite conversation came from the advice given by Guest Mentor Cedric Bryant. “It doesn’t matter how much you physically train. Everything you do counts. Start little by little and build up that way.” Below are his episodes:

My favorite conversations came from Dr. Melanie Joy. She expanded my ability to relate in healthy ways. I have needed extra skills as our family navigated business and family relationships as we changed our lifestyle to be plant-based or vegan this year. Her book, Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows reinforced our decision and enriched my understanding of why some people responded negatively.

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Our Favorites

Cedric Bryant

Innovative Thought Leader: Cedric Bryant, PhD | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST Innovative Thought Leader: Cedric Bryant, PhD

Cedric Bryant Tackles the Physical Activity Pandemic | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Dr. Melanie Joy

The Heart of Resilient Relationships | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Beyond Carnism with Dr. Melanie Joy | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

A One-Stop Conversation in Building Relational Literacy | WeMentor Mondays with Nancy PODCAST

Conscious Attentive Leadership Mentoring

After listening, do these three C.A.L.M. Activities:

Take this risk or do this adventurous task: Gratitude Exchange. As you spend time together with family, clients and colleagues, and friends, exchange words of gratitude. Let each person know what you appreciate about them. Be specific and genuine when you deliver gratitude.

Apply Self-Compassion: Pay particular attention to how you both feel after delivering the Gratitude Exchange. Did you feel vulnerable? Did you feel elevated? Did the other person spontaneously reciprocate by sharing gratitude toward you? Keep noticing how you both feel after extending gratitude to each person.

Welcome Appreciation: “I appreciate Mike’s ability to turn the mic around and interview me. I appreciate the year we had: all the gifts, overcoming challenges, great clients and guest mentors, and making progress. I appreciate how we are working our way through the covid pandemic fatigue we feel as variants continue to emerge. I appreciate the joy embedded in each day we are alive. I appreciate Mike’s entrepreneurial spirit and talent. I appreciate his humanness in parenting and being a life partner with Sylvie in raising four boys. I admire how Mike mentors and role models excellence. I admire who Mike is.”

Your Turn. Start with, “I appreciate what I heard from today’s Guest Mentors, Mike Kabeya and Nancy Meyer. I appreciate this week’s adventurous task because….”

“Most of the problems in our lives and world are caused by relational dysfunction, a dysfunction in how we relate: as social groups, as individuals, to animals and the environment, and even to ourselves. Therefore, developing relational literacy—the understanding of and ability to practice healthy ways of relating—is essential for personal, social, and ecological transformation.” —Melanie Joy, psychologist, author, theorist, educator

When WeMentor… your life becomes more meaningful!!! Redefine how you lead and mentor while redesigning your business. Dual Innovation with Mentoring WORKS.

Podcast Guest Mentor

Mike Kabeya.

Mike joined WeMentor, inc. in 2015 as a sound technician, photographer, and videographer. He has a unique aptitude for sound quality and an innate editing flair heard in over 300 podcast episodes. His exacting eye is noticeable in every picture and video shoot. Mike’s creativity, respectful demeanor, integrity, commitment to meet deadlines, technical expertise, and leadership skills are a few gems that add to a unique work relationship for me and an engaging listening experience for you. Mike wrote the piano vignette that opens up each episode.

Mike founded Kabeya Media in 2013 to share, more broadly, his technical skills and talents across multi-media platforms. Mike is a spiritual director, journalist, photographer, audiographer, media designer, and videographer originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has worked on hundreds of broad range projects, including videos for companies, multi-media videos for authors, and other work events. He is a photographer for family events like weddings, family photos, and anniversaries.

Since relocating to Minnesota in 2006, Mike has worked for the University of Minnesota as a Communications Technician while building his communications company. He is passionate about his work and happily married to Sylvie Kabeya. They have raised four accomplished young men (Bobby, Dginn, Cristal, and Sundy). You can hear more about Sylvie and Mike’s back story on these podcast episodes:

Bobby Kabeya. Music and multi-media are in Bobby’s soul as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, multi-media experimentalist, and budding journalist. He expresses his gifts and contributions to the world through Miloe Music and Kabeya Media.

Bobby has also been a Guest Mentor. Check out his podcast episodes below.

Episode 304: Your Top 3 Favorite Conversations This Year and More