Play Your Position With Mary Lou Kayser

Linda Cohen is an international keynote speaker, consultant, author, and trainer who considers herself a kindness catalyst. She shares the ROI of kindness with businesses and associations around the world through customized interactive programs for team meetings and conference keynotes with enthusiasm and expertise. Linda believes kindness is no longer a nice to have in the workplace, but an imperative skill for leaders and employees to cultivate. She says that kindness is at the basis of every aspect of a positive company culture from recruitment and retention to morale and burnout. Her book The Kindness Economy showcases nemerous examples of the ways employing kindness into compnay culture generates improvement in these common performance metrics. In short, Linda proves again and again that leaders who develop a "kindness practice" build stronger organizations and bigger bottom lines. Linda lives in Portland, Oregon where she enjoys spending time with her family. Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.

Tim Fortescue is an extraordinary communication coach who ignites transformation and drives success. With a background in basketball coaching and a passion for helping individuals grow, Tim’s journey has taken him from volunteer high school basketball coach to founding his own coaching venture, 40 Watt Coaching. His coaching philosophy centers around coaching the full human, not just a person’s speech patterns. Tim’s extensive experience includes coaching and training thousands of individuals across six continents, working with renowned organizations like Nike, Amazon, Netflix, and Google. Tim’s expertise extends beyond coaching, as he has led Manager and Leadership Enablement at the fintech giant Stripe. Prior to that, he served as a Managing Director and Senior Communication Coach at Own The Room, where he honed his skills and empowered executives at Fortune 500 companies. Connect with Tim Fortescue on his website: https://40wattcoaching.com/  On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfortescue/  = = = =

Jeff Bartsch is a visionary storyteller, communication strategist, and founder at Story Greenlight. With over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry and online business, Jeff has helped shape content for clients including ABC, NBC, Universal, Disney, Apple, and many others. Jeff’s commentary has been featured in major publications including Time Magazine, USA Today, and the Associated Press. Through Story Greenlight, Jeff and his team empower business experts and leaders to tell their stories, serve more clients, and expand their impact in the world. He believes that the power of story is within reach of everyone, and that human connection is everything. Connect with Jeff Bartsch on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-bartsch-0265934/  On his website: https://www.storygreenlight.com/  = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unl

Michele Hecken is an ex-CEO who helps high-performing leaders design an organization where each person spends at least 80% of their time working on things they love. She calls herself a contagious optimist, lover of freedom, shifter of paradigms, lifelong learner, and artist. Michele built, operated, scaled, and exited a successful business in the translation industry. She is an Entrepreneur at heart who moves fast, can’t sit still, and is addicted to personal and professional growth. She spent 25 years serving as CEO of the company, turning it into a well-oiled machine that continued to scale without needing her to micro-manage people, systems, and business units. She completed a high-7-figure exit – and realized that her superpower lies in building companies where leaders focus exclusively on what inspires the organization, and eliminating the rest. Today she serves as an Advisor to high performers who want to run businesses that serve them and live lives they dream of. Features in media outlets including I

What trends are driving growth today and into the future? In today's episode, I explore two trends based on the research data by people who are way smarter than I am. You can check out these people here. The bottom line is, if you are looking to expand, or cash in on some consumer spending trends for your personal or professional life, this episode will give you some things worth thinking about. Enjoy! Get on my Field Notes Newsletter list here: https://maryloukayser.com/  Join my Your Life Your Legacy Program here: https://maryloukayser.com/legacy24/  = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social?  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)  

Jason Brown is a big fan of Jim Rohn's quote: " Use the past as a school, not a club. Don't beat yourself up!" In today's episode, you will hear Jason's leadership story including how he managed to turn an investment that didn't work out into his life's calling -- and how he helps others take charge of their financial futures.  Jason Brown is a finance graduate from Wayne State University with over a decade of experience in stocks and options trading. At the young age of 23, Jason started trading with a $10,000 student loan and grew it into a six-figure trading account. His passion for teaching others about stock market investing led him to create his own online education company “Power Trades University” which has helped thousands of students worldwide to start investing. Jason is an active YouTuber with over 80,000 subscribers and his videos have reached over 1 million views. He is also the host of the “Money, Markets and Mindset Podcast”. Jason believes that anyone can profit from the stock market if they

Today's guest is Dave Newell who is on a mission to “align the misaligned” — connecting leaders with systems that foster outstanding work and personal fulfillment. If you're feeling like any aspect of your current business is off-kilter, this conversation will help you find your bearings. Dave collaborates with small business leaders to implement the Five Facets of Business™ — a small business operating system — to optimize processes, foster team alignment around culture, strategy, operations, story, and finances. This framework provides leaders with the necessary clarity and alignment to crush both short and long-term goals. Dave has coached hundreds of leaders both nationally and internationally and has implemented this framework for the last 11 years.  Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-newell-6325a47/  On his website: https://theevolvedifference.com/  = = = = = Don't leave your legacy up to chance or worse -- for others to define for you. Your Legacy Your Life Program is open

In today's episode, I have an in-depth conversation with branding and storytelling expert Emma Donovan of Dapper. As we launch a new year, the ideas Emma shares about choosing online platforms, owning your story in an authentic way, and driving the narrative about yourself and your brand are timely -- and timeless. Emma Donovan is a seasoned entrepreneur with 15+ years of experience in brand strategy and professional profiling. As co-founder of Dapper, she excels in creating innovative products and collaborating with brilliant minds. Emma’s superpower lies in injecting enthusiasm and vibrancy into any situation. Currently, Emma’s focus is on sustainable ways to approach personal brand development for entrepreneurs and leadership teams, in a way that’s authentic and creates space to build their brands with intention.  Connect with Emma Donovan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmadonovan-dapper/  On her website: https://becomedapper.com/  = = = = = Your Legacy Your Life Program is open now for registra

Happy New Year, Part 2! In today’s episode you will hear 23 remarkable voices of the men who appeared on the Play Your Position Podcast in 2023. Below you will find a list of these men in alphabetical order by first name along with a way to connect with them. I encourage you to follow and reach out to the ones who resonate with you and your passions and goals.   From financial literacy to resonating stories of resilience and the power of community, these speakers underscore the multidimensionality of leadership. Together, they harmonize to redefine the essence of leadership in our era. It's a truly inspirational listen. Enjoy!   = = = = = Resources from Today's Show What did you enjoy about this episode? Text me your feedback! Keep it kind, please :-) 503-567-8730 = = = = = The Men in Alphabetical Order Andy Hite https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-hite/  Bryce Henson https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbrycehenson/  Chris Larsen https://www.linkedin.com/in/nextlevelincome/  Dr. Taylor Hartman https://www.linkedin.c

Every year, at the end of the year, I like to take the voices of the amazing leaders I had the privilege of speaking with over the past 12 months, and putting them together into one large file where we can listen to the amazing ideas and insights and inspiration they shared.  This year, I decided to do something different. I divided my guests into the women and the men. In this episode, you will hear the voices of the 13 incredible women from 2023 who shared their unique leadership journey with all of us here at PYP. Get ready to be inspired! = = = = = Resources from Today's Show What did you enjoy about this episode? Text me your feedback! Keep it kind, please :-) 503-567-8730 = = = = = The Women in Alphabetical Order: Alice Tang https://www.linkedin.com/in/askalicetang/  Amina Moreau https://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-moreau/  April Mitchell https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-mitchell-7132295b/  Barbara Turley https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-turley/  Catherine Tindall https://www.linkedin.com/in/ctindal

As we come to the end of this year, it's a natural time to reflect. The holidays and the craziness leading up to Christmas are behind us now. This is a really fertile time to do some self-examination and put the past 12 months of your life under the microscope. What worked? What didn’t? What do you wish you did more of? What unconventional adventures are calling you in the new year? Are you living a full life or are you playing it safe by someone else’s rules? All this and more in today’s episode.  Resources mentioned in the show: Get your free download of the year-end journal: https://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-131 Get Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act  = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on socia

Do you have an idea for a game, toy, or household product? Wondering what it takes to get your ideas into the marketplace? Ever fantasized about pitching a product to get a licensing deal? Today's guest is April Mitchell, an expert and leader in the invention and licensing space. In our conversation, April shares her experiences inventing games and products, and getting deals from companies to have them made and distributed. She also discusses what happens when your idea isn't right for a company, and the question about patents almost everyone asks. You are going to love her energy and enthusiasm as you learn about turning your ideas into real games, toys, and products. In April's own words: "I am a professional problem solver, creative thinker, idea machine, magic maker, dreamer, and What if-er , also known as an inventor and designer specializing in the toys, games, party, and housewares industries. A product licensing expert and designer for hire whom uses my background as an educator, military spouse, and

Are you ready for some awesome inspiration and laughs? Today's show features Andy Hite, a recognized leadership coach who supports entrepreneurs, executives, and their teams with energy and enthusiasm as they navigate the world of building businesses and lives filled with prosperity, meaning, & freedom. Regardless of the setting—be it in front of an audience, within an intimate boardroom, or during individual client sessions—Andy’s background in commercial theatre, as an actor and executive, lends a distinctive perspective to his coaching practice. Committed to making an impact and facilitating transformative change, Andy empowers entrepreneurs and executives to unlock their full potential and thrive in their respective fields. Leading with heart, he creates a nurturing environment that fosters growth and paves the way for true authentic leadership. With a wealth of personal and professional growth experience, Andy is passionate about helping his clients explore new possibilities, challenge their limits,

Today's guest is Jason Shen, a former national champion gymnast and an executive coach with a focus on resilience and reinvention. As CEO of Refactor Labs, he coaches entrepreneurs and teams through crucial transitions and writes about creative risk-taking in his weekly newsletter Cultivating Resilience. He has been published in TechCrunch, Fast Company, and Vox and a speaker at Grubhub, Procter & Gamble, and Pinterest. After facing multiple setbacks including layoffs, lawsuits, company failure, and traumatic knee injuries, Jason sought to understand what it takes to adapt and overcome adversity. His skills based Resilience Rules framework has helped hundreds of founders, leaders, and professionals learn to respond, restore, rebuild and reflect in the face of change. Jason’s next book is called The Path to Pivot—a playbook for entrepreneurs who want to reinvent their business—and will be released in Fall 2023. Prior to Refactor Labs, Jason founded Ridejoy, a Y Combinator funded longdistance ridesharing ma

Have you ever seen a performance that moved you at the soul level? I have many times and it just happened again the other night when I was watching the Country Music Awards. I don't have a long history with country music as I've been a rock n roll girl most of my life. However, several country artists are putting out music these days I'm drawn to which is part of the inspiration behind today's episode. We can learn a lot about playing our positions more effectively from watching and studying people who are at the top of their game including people like Chris Stapleton and what he symbolizes for all of us on a universal level. ===== Watch Chris Stapleton perform at the CMA 2023: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLhs0jfVRB8  = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy

Richard Newman is the Founder of Body Talk, a business that helps people improve their communication and impact. In the past 23 years his team has trained over 120,000 business leaders around the world. One client gained over $1 Billion in new business in just one year using Richard’s techniques, winning 100% of their new business pitches. When Richard was 18, he started his mission to discover the core principles of communication. As part of this mission, he lived in the foothills of the Himalayas with Tibetan monks who spoke no English. They had to communicate non-verbally to understand each other. He then worked as a professional actor before becoming a communication coach and keynote speaker.  Richard’s research on non-verbal communication was published in the Journal of Psychology. His study proved that you can increase your leadership ratings by 44% and win 59% more votes in an election by changing a few simple behaviors. He has also won the coveted Cicero Grand Prize Award for Best Speechwriter of the

Have you ever felt like you're in a maze, searching for the elusive exit? I definitely have. Those times in my life when my vision and direction were muddy at best, I got so caught up in the whirlwind of life, I forgot the power of having a clear vision and direction. It's like having a treasure map without 'X' marking the spot. But here’s the harsh and compelling truth: underestimating the influence of a vision can be akin to sailing without a compass—it leaves you wandering aimlessly in the vast ocean of opportunities. In today's episode, I share my own experience with getting clear about the direction and vision of my life despite the chaos of the past two years that continues to impact where I'm going and why. I also share an excellent exercise you can do to get some clarity about the direction and vision of your life as we wind down one year and look ahead to a new one. It's really powerful and can give you peace of mind that might be missing from your life right now. Let me know what you discover! Conta

Well Team -- I've achieved a new milestone here at the Play Your Position Podcast! Today's episode featuring the super accomplished, insightful, and hilarious Dr. Taylor Hartman marks number 500 of the show. 500 y'all! I am celebrating! I remember thinking way back in the dark ages of early 2014 when I first started podcasting that having 50 episodes sounded impressive. Here I am with 500 and I am proud of my work.  I am honored to have had the opportunity to converse about leadership and life with as many wonderful humans as I've had since I started. And I'm grateful to all of you who tune in to the show each week. I love you, Team PYP! Are you ready for kickoff??? Let's go! About Dr. Taylor Hartman Through The People Code (formerly published as The Color Code) and The Character Code, Dr. Hartman provides a universal message, simple and profound: life is about relationships. As an author, psychologist, corporate consultant and leadership coach, his life’s work has centered on providing an insightful system f

What happens when someone famous dies? In today's episode, I explore this question while paying tribute to the late actor, Matthew Perry, who died at the age of 54 on October 28, 2023. Helpful Mental Health Resources Forbes Health compiled a list of recommended online resources here: https://www.forbes.com/health/l/best-online-therapy/  Always use your best judgement, do your due diligence, and get a second opinion about any health-related resources before making any commitments. = = = = = Thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast! = = = = = My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold including Audible! Get your copy and learn more about it here Are we connected yet on social?  @maryloukayser (Instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

In today's episode, you will hear Amina Moreau discuss the future of shared workspaces as she and her business partners see it. She is a powerhouse of ideas, full of positive energy and enthusiasm for what’s possible! Get ready to think differently about what co-working spaces are and where you have your next team meeting. Amina Moreau has a long and varied work experience. Amina began her career in 2004 as Cofounder and Executive Creative Director at Stillmotion, Inc., a five-time Emmy Award winning band of filmmakers. In 2013, she co-founded Story & Heart, a footage licensing marketplace, education platform, and collaborative community of storytellers. That same year, she became a Partner at Marmoset, an off the beaten path, boutique music marketplace. In 2017, she took on the role of Director of the Greater Portland Tennis Council, where she worked to give back to the community through the sport of tennis. In 2018, she became an Adjunct Professor at the University of Oregon's School of Journalism and C