Breakfast Leadership Show Michael D. Levitt

Holly Porter is a beacon of resilience, a 13-time best-selling author, a seasoned philanthropist, and a true survivor. Her incredible journey includes a 70-day battle with COVID-19, from which she emerged with unwavering determination. She is passionate about wellness and leads a non-profit dedicated to aiding the extended COVID community.
Holly's infectious joy embodies hope, her wisdom uplifting others, proving that healing is possible after the most brutal battles, inspiring countless lives. Holly’s newly founded Retreat RnR launch a SaaS Platform in early 2024. This is a game-changer for any Retreat Leader!https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyporter/https://www.instagram.com/hollyporterinternational/https://www.facebook.com/HOLLYANNPORTERhttps://twitter.com/HOLLYShapshttps://www.pinterest.com/hollyshapshttps://www.tiktok.com/@hollyaporterhttps://youtube.com/@HopefulHorizonsPodcast

Summary



Overcoming long COVID @ 0:26
Holly shared her harrowing experience of spending 70 days in the hospital with COVID-19, losing all five senses and facing the possibility of not surviving. She described the mental and physical challenges of this ordeal, and how it led her to reflect deeply on her purpose and legacy. Holly ultimately emerged with a renewed sense of mission, incorporating a nonprofit focused on long COVID awareness and support.
Leaving a meaningful legacy @ 7:21
During her hospitalization, Holly had time to reflect on what kind of legacy she wanted to leave behind. She realized the importance of doing work that has a broader impact beyond just her own family. This led her to start a nonprofit focused on long COVID, as well as a new SaaS company, with the goal of creating something impactful that will outlast her.
Embracing change and uncertainty @ 9:41
Holly emphasized the importance of being adaptable and open to change, even when it's difficult. She discussed how her previous businesses and lifestyle had to be put on hold as she recovered, and how she had to let go of her previous plans and priorities. Holly shared insights on the mental game of overcoming adversity, and the power of a positive mindset to push through challenges.
Advice for overcoming challenges @ 20:38
Holly shared her key advice for others facing difficult life challenges: take it one day at a time, focus on what you can control, and don't be afraid to seek help and support. She emphasized the power of a positive mindset, and the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement. Holly encouraged listeners to make decisions that will lead to happiness and fulfillment, rather than dwelling on the negative.
Recap and next steps @ 24:15
Michael and Holly wrapped up the conversation by discussing ways to share Holly's inspiring story and insights. Holly provided her website and nonprofit information for listeners to learn more. Michael thanked Holly for her time and vulnerability, and expressed his admiration for her resilience and commitment to making a difference.

Your Bio and Social Media links: 
https://www.tiktok.com/@cliffordstephan1https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffordstephan/https://www.instagram.com/boozevacation/https://www.facebook.com/BoozeVacation/
Clifford Stephan founded Booze Vacation, a health and wellness company for high-performing guys seeking to advance their jobs and lives by leveraging the extensive benefits of a vacation from alcohol. The founder of OneCompensation, a Bay Area consulting firm, has assisted Silicon Valley organizations such as Google, LinkedIn, Kaiser Permanente, and Motorola Mobility in attracting and retaining top talent.
After understanding that recreational drinking hindered his personal and professional success in his 40s, Clifford Stephan founded Booze Vacation.Despite not being a problem drinker, he took a year off to improve his health and career. Indeed, Booze Vacation was created.
After starting as a passion endeavor, Booze Vacation became a company as others saw its potential for success. Clifford became an accidental TikTok star, garnering millions of views on his videos about better alcohol usage and the opportunity for health, life, and economic success during a "Booze Vacation."
With a B.S. Degree in Nutritional Science (Cal Poly SLO), he is an ardent surfer, tennis player, and loves the outdoors. With over a dozen long-course triathlons under his belt, he remains committed to competing well into his 80s and beyond.
Quick recap
Summary
Discussing Alcohol Consumption and Resources
 
Clifford's Journey to Health and Wellness
Clifford, a 51-year-old human resources consultant from the Bay Area, shared his personal journey towards health and wellness, which included taking an extended break from alcohol after realizing its negative impact on his well-being. He expressed his enthusiasm for his new full-time passion project, 'Booze Vacation,' aimed at encouraging peers to adopt a similar lifestyle for improved health and wellness. Michael acknowledged the significance and importance of Clifford's work.
Addressing Alcoholism and Coping Strategies
Michael and Clifford discussed the prevalence and impact of alcoholism within their families and among their peers. They emphasized that alcoholism not only affects physical health but also mental health, and stressed the importance of addressing underlying stressors as a coping mechanism. Clifford highlighted the challenges of navigating an alcohol-centric culture and suggested a dedicated 3-6 month break for those struggling with alcohol abuse. Michael agreed, noting the common issue of burnout and stress within his client base.
Alcohol's Promotion and Abstention Benefits
Michael highlighted the ubiquitous and normalized promotion of alcohol in various social settings, such as sporting events, concerts, and restaurants. He noted the potential negative effects on those who consume alcohol, including peer pressure and impairment of judgment. However, he also pointed out the potential benefits of abstention, such as improved health, altered eating habits, better sleep, and increased resilience to stressors. He hinted at the positive changes in physical appearance and overall success that can result from these benefits.
Breaking Free From Alcohol: A Path to Wellness
Michael shared his positive experience of giving up alcohol and the improvements it brought to his life. Clifford emphasized the importance of taking a break from alcohol for overall health and wellbeing, and highlighted the negative impact alcohol use can have on various systems in the body. Both agreed on the potential long-term consequences of chronic alcohol use, including the development of chronic diseases and the need for lifelong medication. The discussion also touched on the societal pressure to consume alcohol and the challenge of breaking free from this norm.
Michael's Personal Journey to Sobriety and Its Benefits
Michael shared his personal experience of being sober for over a year, which he attributed to improved he

 
 

 
 
 
Discussing Noah's Book and Collaboration Plans
Michael and Noah discussed Noah's recently published book, "Chaos, overcoming the overwhelming". Noah directed Michael to his website, https://www.thenoahasher.com/, where links to purchase the book and other relevant information can be found. Michael expressed his intention to share information about Noah and his work across his network, aiming to increase traffic to Noah's site. Both parties thanked each other for their time and looked forward to future collaborations.

Britt serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Geno.Me. Britt’s role focuses on advancing the mission, work and overall vision of the company. She is a Milwaukee native and holds a bachelor’s in Psychology from UW-Milwaukee and dual masters’ degrees in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Business Administration from Elmhurst University.Britt has cultivated a professional background in the healthcare, services, and communications sectors for the last 15 years. She is passionate about championing the innovative ways that Geno.Me is revolutionizing the future of healthcare. In her spare time, she enjoys running, getting together with friends, hitting the dog park with her dog, Brock, or grabbing a bite at local restaurants.Social Media Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/g_e_n_o.m_e/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/geno-meFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourgeenomeTwitter: https://twitter.com/yourgeno_meDirect Website: https://yourgeno.me/

Mark recently moved to Kyiv and co-founded the Ukraine Business Network (UBN), a platform that provides research to industry leaders. The goal is to aid foreign investors operating in the country and ultimately contribute to the nation’s reconstruction.Through panels, reports, and surveys, UBN gives businesses insight into their opportunities in Ukraine during times of war. It works with 4,000+ companies across sectors, including the World Bank Group, UN, Coca-Cola, Radisson, McDonald’s, and the Wall Street Journal.An expert analyst on Ukraine and CIS countries, Mark has spent 15 years tracking the region's political, economic, social, and intelligence activities. He has also instructed at the U.S. Army’s Combating Terrorism Center, teaching counterterrorism courses to CIA and FBI agents.He was previously the Managing Director of FrontierView (Europe), an advisory firm valued at $18M that gives 300+ multinationals market intelligence to help their businesses grow. He has been featured on Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and the BBC.On the podcast, Mark discussesHow do you start a company in a war zone without income or local knowledge?Identifying the right critical skills and market niches for business success in Ukraine.Challenges of workforce development in Ukraine and how to effectively deal with them.https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910/https://ubn.news/ubn-network/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Commonwealth-of-Independent-Stateshttps://ctc.westpoint.edu/https://frontierview.com/https://updatefromkyiv.podbean.com/e/137-analysis-mark-mcnamee-on-ukraine-s-economic-opportunities-and-challenges/https://www.potomac-group.com/podcast/episode-12-mark-mcnamee-on-the-ongoing-russian-war-on-ukraine

Summary



Introduction to Mark and UBN Network @ 0:00
Mark introduced himself as the co-founder and owner of UBN (Ukraine Business News) Network, a company he started with his co-founder Andrew to help Western companies navigate the investment environment and understand the economic and geopolitical situation in Ukraine. Mark discussed his personal and academic background that led him to focus on this region, and his decision to move to Kyiv last October to be part of Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The Significance of Ukraine's Conflict @ 3:00
Michael and Mark discussed the importance of recognizing that the conflict in Ukraine is not just about the current war, but is part of a larger geopolitical struggle between Western democratic values and the "might makes right" mentality of Russia and other non-Western powers. They emphasized that Ukraine's fight is not just for its own sovereignty, but for upholding the international order and rules-based systems that the West believes are better for humanity.
The Human Toll and Resilience of Ukrainians @ 8:26
The conversation explored the immense human suffering and trauma experienced by Ukrainians due to the war, including the stories of families being separated, people fleeing their homes, and the psychological impact on the nation. However, they also highlighted the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people to carry on with their daily lives and livelihoods despite the ongoing challenges.
Opportunities for Rebuilding and Recovery @ 19:44
Mark and Michael discussed the importance of the work that UBN Network is doing to help facilitate Ukraine's economic recovery and reconstruction, even as the war continues. They emphasized the need for the West to continue supporting Ukraine and providing resources to help the country rebuild, with the goal of eventually transitioning from a wartime to a peacetime economy.
Closing and Call to Action @ 21:11
In closing, Michael thanked Mark for his work and encouraged listeners to connect with Mark and UBN Network to learn more about the situation in Ukraine and how they can get involved in supporting the country's recovery efforts.



 

JoAnn Schauf founded Your Tween and You, writes her blog, The Tween Times, coaches parents and adolescents, and speaks at conferences and to parent groups. After earning her Master of Science in Counseling, she worked as a therapist in a psychiatric hospital and served as a counselor in secondary schools and colleges. 
Her interactions with parents of tweens, who were confounded by their children’s burgeoning adolescence and the influence of technology, led her to write her best-selling book Loving the Alien, How to Parent Your Tween. As the parent of four, she experienced the same challenges and frustrations! JoAnn lives in Austin, Texas and spends her free time volunteering and on the beach in California. You can reach her at yourtweenandyou.com
 

Summary



Introductions and background @ 0:00
JoAnn Schauf shares her background, starting as a fashion major but then transitioning to psychology and counseling. She opened her own business, Your Tween and You, about 6 years ago to help parents navigate the challenges of raising tweens.
The challenges of parenting tweens @ 2:04
JoAnn discusses the common challenges parents face when their children transition from happy, compliant kids to more distant, independent tweens. She explains the "trio of trials" tweens face - puberty, identity search, and underdeveloped decision-making skills - that contribute to this challenging phase.
Importance of parent-child connection @ 6:00
Michael and JoAnn emphasize the importance of parents staying present and connected with their tweens, even when the kids seem disinterested. Sharing stories, asking open-ended questions, and spending quality time together can help maintain the relationship.
Strategies for effective communication @ 23:54
JoAnn provides specific tips for how parents can improve communication with their tweens, such as asking open-ended questions to get the full story rather than yes/no questions that shut down conversation.
Resources and next steps @ 25:06
JoAnn shares information about her website, blog, and coaching services to help parents of tweens. She and Michael conclude by discussing the importance of raising happy, healthy children who will become future leaders.