What's Your Story?

In this conversation, Russell L. Edmond shares his journey from a small desert town in California to becoming a prominent figure in the hospitality industry. He discusses the influence of his upbringing, the lessons learned from sports, and the twists and turns of his career, including his experiences as a general manager and his transition to entrepreneurship. Russell also highlights the importance of consistency and authenticity in personal branding, culminating in the creation of his successful podcast, Russell of Hotels. 

Top Takeaways: 
- A bad experience in a job didn't stop Russell but instead encouraged him to...

In this conversation, Dane C. Hawkins shares his journey from a challenging childhood in Washington, D.C. to becoming a successful engineer and author. He discusses the impact of his upbringing, the importance of community, and how his experiences shaped his identity and aspirations. Dane reflects on his education at an HBCU, the challenges of balancing a career with his passion for writing, and the motivation behind his book, 'Path to Manhood.' He emphasizes the significance of pursuing one's dreams and the role of supportive relationships in achieving success.

Top Takeaways:
- Dane's childhood experiences...

Jourdan Brunson, founder of kinkofa, shares his journey as a genealogist and entrepreneur. He discusses his childhood curiosity and love for storytelling, his early career aspirations, and the pivotal moments that led him to start his own company. Jourdan emphasizes the importance of following your passion, finding the intersection between work and personal interests, and seeking out opportunities for growth and learning throughout each stop of your path. He also highlights the significance of preserving family history and offers advice on how to ensure that these important stories are not lost when we lose our elders. Jourdan reflects on...

Craig Robinson, a former C-suite executive, shares his journey from growing up in Atlanta to living life on his terms as a board director and advisor. He emphasizes the importance of embracing one's inner child and being curious. Growing up in Atlanta, surrounded by Black Excellence, fostered his ability to dream and remain optimistic. He attended MIT and later Harvard Business School where he realized his passion was in leadership and building organizations. He made the pivot to a "Portfolio Life", where he is able to diversify his work by finding opportunities that bring him joy and fulfillment. He...

Dilan Gomih, a well-being founder, shares her journey of prioritizing health and fitness in her life and how it led her to start her own company, Dilagence. She emphasizes the importance of incorporating movement into daily life and finding joy in fitness to reach all of your goals. Dilan also discusses the influence of her parents and community on her outlook on what could be possible in life. She ends by highlighting the need for individuals and organizations to prioritize well-being in order to be successful in business.

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Alexandria Butler, aka Lexi B, accidentally landed in Silicon Valley but that hasn't stopped her from making an impact at a number of globally recognized tech companies like Airbnb, Facebook, Twitter, and Microsoft. As an accomplished storyteller, she believes that anyone can be a storyteller and recommends reading stories from skilled storytellers to learn how to tell impactful stories. Lexi also emphasizes the value of transferable skills and being adaptable in the ever-changing world of technology. Despite how it may look on paper, Lexi's journey has not been about collecting badges from prestigious companies, but about finding great managers...

Zach Nunn, CEO of Living Corporate, shares his story and how he prioritizes workplace fairness and creating space for honest conversations about navigating the world of work. He walks through his personal journey of growing up in a small town in Georgia and the influence of his single mother on his values and aspirations. Zach discusses the changing landscape of work, emphasizing the need for better experiences for all employees and customers. He shares his definition of fairness as giving everyone an equal shot at the best possible experience and highlights the importance of support, respect, feedback, and coaching...

Victor Simmons, a diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging expert, shares his story of growing up in a military family and his journey to becoming a leader in the hospitality industry. He discusses the importance of building relationships and problem-solving in his career. Victor also emphasizes the significance of DEI in the workplace and how it leads to better business outcomes. He shares his experiences as a husband and father, highlighting the importance of being present and supportive. 

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Gautam Mukunda has collected some of the highest regarded titles at the most prestigious organizations that you could ask for in a career. Yet his plan all along has been to collect the most diverse collection of experiences. He's always enjoyed learning new things and set out on a mission to ensure that the world also learned something through him. His path has taken him from professor to author to advisor to investor. Many of those stops were unexpected like him joining Harvard Business School as a professor following his PHD. Listen to his story to be inspired by...

William Flippin Jr. shares his background and childhood experiences that led him to a mission of empowering people from the chess board to the property market. He discusses how his upbringing in Atlanta and being the oldest child and grandchild shaped him. He also talks about the importance of having multiple streams of income that allow him to follow his interests. William highlights how he developed his passion for franchising and the ways he helps others become franchisees. He expresses his concerns about the future of the church and the broader need to embrace technology. Lastly, he reflects on...

Cuy Sheffield, the Head of Crypto at Visa, shares his background and journey into the world of crypto. Growing up in rural Ohio, basketball became his passion and a way to find his own identity and confidence. He attended Pomona College in California, where he discovered his interest in entrepreneurship and technology. After joining TrialPay, a startup in the mobile app advertising ecosystem, he developed a passion for sales through building authentic relationships. Following the acquisition of TrialPay by Visa, Cuy would eventually find a unique opportunity for his skillset at the intersection of crypto and payments. Cuy shares...

On this week's episode, we celebrate Father's Day as Matt sits down with his dad, Ken Davenport, to hear his story. Ken shares his story of growing up in Detroit, his curiosity as a child, and his journey into the corporate world. He discusses his experiences building a career in data processing and IT, the challenges he faced as technology evolved, and the importance of work-life balance. He also talks about the impact of parenthood on his life and decision-making process. Ken shares how grandparenthood has changed him, the joy of spoiling his granddaughter, and the importance of spending...

Charles Thompson shares his journey from a competitive kid with dreams of the NFL to his transition into the professional world of sales, emphasizing the role of community, mentorship, and the power of storytelling. He discusses the impact of LinkedIn on his career and the importance of personal branding and consistency in content creation. The conversation explores the importance of building a community on LinkedIn, the value of being comfortable in one's own skin, and the significance of putting your family first. The conversation also touches on the characteristics of good storytellers and the impact of vulnerability in leadership.<...

Devo Harris, a Grammy award-winning producer and founder of Adventr, shares his journey from the world of music to the fast paced tech industry. As a Army brat, he grew up moving around a lot, which has influenced his work style and approach team building. Devo co-founded G.O.O.D. Music with his cousin, Kanye West, and was responsible for bringing John Legend onto the label. However, he realized he wanted to have a broader impact and didn't want to be the old guy playing beats for 18 yr old rappers so he transitioned into the tech industry. Devo...

In this conversation, Matt Story interviews Mengistu Tad Tilahun, a global executive with over 25 years of experience in technology and the payments industry. They discuss his background, journey in the corporate world, and role at Visa. Tad emphasizes the importance of curiosity, taking risks, and adding value in one's career. He also highlights the need for self-advocacy and authenticity in the workplace. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of technology and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry.

You will learn:

In this episode, Matt takes a moment to celebrate Mother's Day and reflect on the impact his mom had on his life. He shares three important lessons he learned from her: the power of keeping your word, the importance of being a supportive fan, and the value of hard work and impact. Matt encourages listeners to share their own stories about the moms in their lives and emphasizes the power of storytelling and learning from each other.

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Ashley Menzies Babatunde shares her background and early experiences as a multi-hyphenate and focused overachiever. From an early age, she had high expectations of herself and others, and her leadership skills were evident. She even wroter herself a letter outlining her goals that she has largely achieved so far. Ashley reflects on her time at Stanford for undergrad and Harvard for law school along with the importance of relationships and exploration. She discusses her transition into the work world as a paralegal and then as a lawyer, and how she had to pivot within her practice to find work...

Jerri DeVard, founder and CEO of the Black Executive CMO Alliance (BECA), shares her background and journey to the Advertising Hall of Fame in this podcast episode. Jerri highlights her experience as an example of the role HBCUs play in shaping top talent and industry leaders. She talks about her transition into the corporate world and the importance of finding her voice early in her career. She shares her experience moving into the C-Suite and how what she enjoyed most about it. Jerri also discusses the significance of being a leader who inspires and supports others, and she offers...

Deb Dutta, CEO of Criya, shares her journey as a female immigrant founder and the challenges she faced in the tech industry. She discusses her upbringing, the skills she developed, and her transition from a technical engineering role to product management. Deb also talks about the birth of Criya and how it helps individuals make stellar first impressions through AI technology. She emphasizes the importance of personal branding and the need to take control of how others perceive you. Deb shares her experience with Y Combinator and fundraising, highlighting the value of strategic partnerships and the supportive startup community...

Jeremiah Owyang, investor and founder, shares his journey in the tech industry, from his upbringing to his passion for uncovering new technology trends and helping companies connect with customers. He discusses the importance of community and public speaking, as well as the impact of his AI event series, Llama Lounge. Jeremiah also emphasizes the significance of health and fitness in his life and the need to find balance in various aspects of life. He encourages listeners to embrace their own unique paths and prioritize their well-being.

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In this conversation, Jamien Sills, the founder and CEO of Herus Studios, shares his background and how his passion for shoes and design developed from a young age. He talks about the role of his community in supporting his journey and how he connected with shoe designers and mentors online before social media. Jamien then discusses his current project where he combines his love for footwear and sci-fi superhero films to create a unique storytelling and marketing approach. He explains how the shoes are integrated into the story and how the franchise will tell relatable stories of everyday heroes...

In this episode, La'Vista Jones shares her journey from a quiet child to a certified coach and podcast host. She discusses her love for conversations and her passion for helping others shift their mindset around work-life balance. La'Vista emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding joy in the work we do to avoid corporate burnout. She also highlights the impact of motherhood on her career and the value of authenticity in her personal brand. La'Vista's story is an inspiration for those seeking to prioritize their well-being while pursuing their professional goals.

You will learn:
1) The behaviors...

Elaine Lou Cartas, a trauma-informed career and leadership coach, shares her journey from feeling the pressure of fulfilling the American dream as a first-generation immigrant to redefining her own version of success. In her pursuit of success, she recognized the privilege she collected of having choices in her journey. She emphasizes the importance of asking for help and getting a coach to navigate career transitions and make choices aligned with personal goals. Elaine highlights the power of empathy in her coaching practice and the impact of reframing success to focus on creating a legacy. In this conversation, Matt Story...

Dee Hall shares her journey from a precocious child to a successful marketing leader with over 20 years of experience. She discusses her childhood, college experience at Spelman, and her career at IBM. Dee also talks about the importance of culture, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. She emphasizes the power of connection and being authentic in the workplace. Dee offers advice for those interested in a similar career path. Throughout the conversation, Dee highlights the importance of asking questions and learning what are the right questions to ask.

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Sonia Hunt shares her journey of overcoming severe food allergies and the impact it had on her identity and outlook on life. She discusses the importance of shifting mindset and taking control of one's health. Sonia also explains how she applied her professional acumen to develop systems for her own health and well-being. She now helps marketing leaders thrive by prioritizing their health and well-being. Sonia emphasizes the importance of bringing one's authentic self to work and making tough decisions to stay true to oneself. She encourages listeners to take small actions every day to transform their health and...

Dre Baldwin shares his journey from playing backyard sports in Philadelphia to becoming a professional basketball player and successful entrepreneur. He emphasizes the importance of education and self-improvement, as well as the value of logical thinking and effective communication. Dre discusses his transition to digital content creation and the impact of YouTube on his career. He also highlights the significance of writing and the written word in conveying ideas and building a personal brand. Dre's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning.

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Kamini Wood, an author, speaker, and certified life coach, shares her journey of finding her authentic self and building a successful coaching business. Growing up as a shy and introverted young person, Kamini learned to fit in by pleasing other people. However, through self-reflection and self-advocacy, she discovered her passion for helping others and created her own path. Kamini emphasizes the importance of self-trust and kindness in owning one's story and offers tips for those on a similar path. 

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Vernon Beckford, CEO of Diversified Lending Solutions, shares his journey from childhood hearing he would do big things to becoming a successful executive in that brought the story to fruition. He discusses the impact of his upbringing, education, and early career experiences on his professional growth. Vernon highlights the importance of connecting with people and building strong relationships throughout his journey as a superpower. He also emphasizes the significance of self-advocacy and the role it played on his way to CEO. He concludes by discussing the transformative effects of husbandhood and fatherhood on his life.

You will...

Lamaiya Lancaster, a dancer, choreographer, and adjunct professor, shares her journey and experiences in the world of dance. From her childhood passion for dance to founding the L Theory Collective and starting Soul Flow Yoga, Lamaiya emphasizes the importance of education, community engagement, and authenticity in her work. She discusses the power of dance as a universal language and shares stories of how it has brought people together in surprising ways. Lamaiya also reflects on the impact of finding her tribe and the support she receives in pursuing her dreams. Overall, Lamaiya's story is one of resilience, adaptability, and...

Sharon Harris, CEO and founder of the Sharon Harris Collective, shares her journey from a curious and talkative child in Louisiana to becoming a leader in the marketing and digital media industry on this episode of What's Your Story? podcast. She emphasizes the importance of community support and guidance in shaping her path and the value of embracing curiosity and taking risks at each step. Sharon walks through her experiences in investment banking, satellite radio, and digital marketing, highlighting the significance of relationships, trust, and authenticity in her work. She also shares her passion for helping others unlock their...

Wrapping up Season 4 of What's Your Story? with 5 takeaways and 5 predictions based on the 45 episodes of amazing stories shared with us. This season was filled with milestones from passing 100 total episodes to the most downloads of the pod for any season. While we celebrate the end of this season, we are already at work preparing for Season 5 (kicking off in January). 

5 Takeaways

In this episode, Jaia Thomas, a sports and entertainment attorney and advocate for diversity and representation, shares her journey and how her background led her to refine her unique ability of finding solutions to problems. She discusses her early life, career aspirations, and the influence of her community, as well as her decision to focus on sports and entertainment law. She shares the inspiration behind creating Diverse Representation and the impact it has had in increasing representation of African-American attorneys, agents, managers and publicists working in the sports and entertainment industry. Jaia also discusses the importance of self-advocacy and...

Valerie Rainford, a trailblazing executive and entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey in financial services and her mission to advance diversity and inclusion. From her childhood experiences to her career achievements, Valerie emphasizes the importance of authenticity, resilience, and embracing opportunities. She discusses the impact of her upbringing on her skills and mindset, as well as the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Valerie also highlights the significance of her firm, Elloree Talent Strategies, and her commitment to making a positive impact. Through her story, Valerie encourages others to discover their purpose and unlock options so that they have freedom...

LaMecia Butler has collected a number of experiences in different industries throughout her journey. The consistent theme has been her ability to always go for what she wanted though. It likely is thanks to her parents encouragement for her to ask question. As she's gained more experience, she's been able to act as a bridge to help her local communities thrive.

Listen to her story to hear how she navigated having to decide if she would use her real name during her job searches to get opportunities.

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Alice Sesay Pope, Vice President, Global Device, Digital and Alexa Support at Amazon, has a proven track record of being successful. She has really set herself apart as she discovered how to not only win but to win on her terms. This includes using her superpower of delivering results in a way where people at all levels feel good about it. All that said, her journey has not been easy as she has sought to overcome challenges and inaccurate narratives about her skillset and capabilities. 

Listen to this episode to hear how she has remained a curious l...

Rishad Tobaccowala wears multiple hats including author, speaker, teacher and advisor. With over four decades of experience helping people, teams and organizations reinvent themselves, he has a wealth of knowledge on brand building, leadership and innovation. What is most impressive isn't that he is willing to share that knowledge for free via a number of platforms BUT that he continues to be curious and learn about the evolving landscape of brands, technology and people. This discussion with him to learn about his journey is jam packed with insights that will benefit you no matter your role or tenure. 

Dr. Joel A Brown Davis, Chief Visionary Officer of Pneumos LLC, has never been able to take things at face value and therefore kept a curious mindset as he has navigated his journey. Growing up, the world didn't seem to fit him so it led him to question almost everything around him. His path led him becoming a lawyer where he came to realize the structure of practicing law did not align with how he wanted to use his talents. He made the decision to design his life around his larger calling and to be in communities that affirmed...

Faisal Bhutto, SVP of Cloud and Cybersecurity at Cailan IT and Cyber Solutions,  learned at an early age that he had a lot of capacity to absorb and do things. This superpower combined with a constant desire to learn and understand to not become complacent helped set him up for a great career on the cutting edge of the tech industry. In a tech world that changes by the moment, he has navigated with both a student and an educator modes activated to provide value while not assuming he knows it all. 

Listen to Faisal's full story to...

Ana Flores, Founder & Co-CEO of #WeAllGrow Latina, grew up with the benefit of bi-cultural knowledge. It has helped her build supportive communities throughout her journey and enhance of superpower of connecting people as a bridge. While she is still working on her initial dream of working with Oprah, she has created an outsized impact for others across a number of different roles, responsibilities and organizations.

List to her story to learn how she built her intuition and view of limitless possibilities in our world. 

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Aaron Walton, CEO & Founder of Walton Isaacson, has witnessed and created spectacular moments throughout his journey. From starting his career at Pepsi going on tour with Michael Jackson to helping Lexus partner with The Black Panther movie, he has used his diversity of experiences to blaze a advertising hall of fame path. He continues to use his superpower of listening to help his teams and clients tap into culture to better connect us all. 

Listen to his story to hear his approach to building the most interesting advertising agency ever.

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