If you ask Tara Palacios about her passion for small businesses and entrepreneurship, she may answer you, “Small business is my schtick.” With a background in marketing and PR in the private sector and a stint helping her father reinvent his own career, Tara followed her gut, moving to a role where she could use her honed skills to help businesses in the community grow. After joining Arlington County over twenty years ago and eventually founding the BizLaunch initiative, she’s never looked back.

Tara’s interactions with her clients often start when they bring her a dream. The work then begins: molding that dream into a reality, assessing the sustainability of the business, moving the plan forward through tangible and calculated actions, making valuable connections, and working through the challenges that inevitably arise. Tara and her team lift up their clients with the tools, resources, and, maybe most important of all, support and encouragement, while entrepreneurs turn their dreams into viable businesses that support the Arlington community.

Tara sees the entrepreneurs and small business owners she works with go through the highs and lows of starting a business, and she empowers them to be successful. Throughout the episode, Tara speaks to the importance of helping people get out of their own way, without judgment, allowing their ideas to grow. Tara talks about the ideal candidate and how crucial it is for people to be willing to receive feedback to make their dreams a reality. And the joy her clients feel when that ribbon is cut or the goal is achieved. Tara brings joy to every person she leads, every entrepreneur in the Arlington community and beyond she works with, and certainly brought joy to this episode of the podcast.

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Life often leads us down unexpected paths, a truth Kwelli Sneed knows all too well. A graduate of the GWU e-Co Leadership Coaching Program, she now serves as the interim director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety Engagement. Initially joining as Chief of Staff during tumultuous times in the District of Columbia, Kwelli assumed the role of Director following the tragic passing of her friend and colleague, Linda Harlee Harper. She shares insights into navigating these transitions, staying true to herself, and utilizing skills honed through the program.

Photography, a passion reignited through a vivid dream reminiscent of her late aunt Sandra, led her to rediscover its significance during the pandemic's chaos, eventually leading her to use photography as the throughline in her coaching. Kwelli discovered the benefits of having her coaching clients use photography to tell the story of who they are, in both their professional and personal lives.

During the episode, Bonnie Bucker, Ina Gjikondi, and Kwelli also explore the concept of "line" and "curve," which is a cornerstone of the GWU Leadership Program and is described as representing distinct energies. Kwelli, who identifies as a "line" – analytical and methodical, recognizes the importance of personalizing one's passion as well, a characteristic of someone who describes themselves as a “curve” and follows the twists and turns of life as they come. Inspired by a fellow coach's use of photography in palliative care, she delves into how images evoke emotions and memories, integrating her passion with the science of career coaching, and harmonizing her dual identities.

Kwelli demonstrates photography's transformative power by recounting a unique community initiative, providing cameras to teenagers, predominantly boys. Witnessing their introspection and aspirations through their work, she illustrates how photography can empower individuals to explore their identities and aspirations.

This conversation acts as a thoughtful reminder to see beyond any barriers you think you may face and to always keep in mind what you’re passionate about. You won’t want to miss Kwelli’s story and how she has stocked her toolbox with tools that will help her use her passions to drive her career.

Ever feel helpless about the state of the world? Investigative journalist Roberta Baskin discusses her shift to finding hopeful stories about businesses creating positive social and environmental impact. She talks about Aim2Flourish, a program she helped to start, and where students discover these companies and write stories that focus on the UN Global Goals. Roberta emphasizes the importance of B Corporations and consumer choices while offering practical tips for reducing your carbon footprint and leaving the world a better place. Tune in and discover how businesses can be a force for good, and what you can do to be part of the solution.

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All change starts with us; even that one little step has the power to create a profound transformation to the larger system. This is just one of the many pieces of wisdom that the Queen of Systems Thinking, Darcy Winslow, imparts to us in this episode. As the Founding President (2010-2020) and co-founder of the Academy for Systems Change, Darcy shares the insights she gained from her extensive corporate career about systems change and systems thinking. She delves into the critical role of building bridges in leadership and, drawing from her experiences at Nike, reveals how collaboration with competitors became a breakthrough in addressing health issues for manufacturing workers. Uncover the power of seemingly insignificant shifts in habit, the impact of having clarity, and the importance of listening to the quiet voice amidst the noise. Don't miss the wisdom shared today, keeping in mind what matters most in this time we are living in.

Equipping the younger generation with environmental awareness and a deep fascination for nature might be our best bet at keeping the planet livable for the foreseeable future. We don’t see a lot of people doing that right now, but those who do are doing it in incredibly innovative and inspiring ways. Today’s guest makes such an impact in this regard. Frank Sesno is the executive director of the GWU Alliance for a Sustainable Future, a bold university-wide initiative that will form a collective front against the threat of climate change. He's also the director of strategic initiatives at the GW School of Media and Public Affairs, and previously spent 21 years at CNN where he served as White House correspondent, anchor, and Washington bureau chief. Join in as Frank talks about the role of education, the impact of experiential learning, and the importance of fostering curiosity and resilience in students. Tune in and learn how positive forces in society are winning the bid for a more sustainable future.

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Spiritual practice isn't just personal; it's the collective heartbeat for global healing and transformation. In this episode, organization executive Jim Robinson discusses the depth of how aligning with spiritual energy can drive personal healing and global change. He talks about how the mind, body, and spirit are connected and how his visualization practices helped him get better during a health crisis. Throughout the episode, Jim and the hosts explore the crucial role of a supportive community in sustaining spiritual practices. They analyze the different aspects of willpower, highlighting the importance of having a support system and being dedicated to spiritual practice in order to achieve long-lasting change. Jim talks about the problems in society, like inequality and conflict, and believes that raising our spiritual energy is important for creating peace, justice, and prosperity for everyone. Tune in now and become a force for positive global transformation!

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In a world that is run by numbers and views people as parts of a machine, it can be so easy to lose ourselves and connect to what matters. Adriana Machado fills in the missing piece that connects the corporate world with purpose: systems thinking. Adriana is one of Latin America’s most celebrated women business leaders and an outspoken advocate in the impact economy space. She is a former CEO of GE Brazil and Founder of the Briyah Institute, a Benefit Corporation that bridges innovation, practice, and purpose. In this episode, she shares with us how systems thinking emphasizes that instead of machine parts, people themselves are living systems that have the power of self-organization that no machine can ever have. When we apply this to business, we can make a true difference and an even bigger impact not only to ourselves but to the world. Find out more about systems thinking, the importance of spirituality in business, biomimicry, and more in today’s conversation!

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“The whole leader demands the whole person— body, mind and soul. And that that is also true of community.” Today’s guest believes in this wholeheartedly, and it guides her in fulfilling her purpose. Ina Gjikondi and Bonnie Buckner join in an inspiring conversation with Deborah Rundlett, a practical Mystic who guides leaders and their teams in connecting with their inner wisdom and purpose. Debbie shares her wisdom and experiences as she discusses the Poet & Prophet competencies, the importance of reconnecting with core identity, and the transformative power of social action pilgrimages. She delves into the essence of spirituality in leadership and its role in fostering personal and systemic change. Discover how Debbie's work with the Global Consciousness Institute is mapping the terrain of global consciousness and uniting communities worldwide. Tune in for a profound exploration of belonging, wisdom, and the healing journey, as Debbie offers a simple practice for self-awareness and self-discovery.

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