๐ŸŽ™๏ธ The Doug Thompson Podcast: Storytelling, Speaker Secrets & Epic Laughs! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ”ฅ๐Ÿš€

Doug Thompson

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Tired of boring corporate babble? Welcome to The Doug Thompson Podcastโ€”where storytelling meets real-world wisdom with a splash of humor and authenticity. Doug, a tech-savvy "edutainer" and passionate BBQ enthusiast, chats with charismatic speakers and trendsetting event planners, giving you exclusive hacks to land dream gigs and craft events worth talking about. Subscribe now, because lifeโ€™s too short to settle for dull storiesโ€”this is the caffeine kick your adulting routine needs! โ˜•๏ธ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿš€

  1. Unleashing Women Leaders, Overcoming Cultural Barriers and The Power of Stories

    FEB 12

    Unleashing Women Leaders, Overcoming Cultural Barriers and The Power of Stories

    Ever wonder how women break through the glass ceiling in tech or leadership? Spoiler alert: itโ€™s all about storytelling, mindset shifts, and a sprinkle of audacity. Buckle up for a journey from Indiaโ€™s software boom to New York Times Square billboardsโ€”minus the confetti, but with plenty of wisdom. In this episode: Neerajaโ€™s journey from a shy girl in India to global leadership iconHow women can find their voice by telling their storiesCultural hurdles and how urban metros are changing mindsetsPractical tips for public speaking, handling hecklers, and visualizing successThe importance of mindset challenges, from LinkedIn content to TED TalksThe secret sauce: storytelling as a unique leadership toolTimestamps:00:00 - Introducing Neeraja: Womenโ€™s empowerment in leadership00:34 - Neerajaโ€™s 25 years in IT and her pivotal career shift01:22 - The role of storytelling in empowering women to lead02:17 - Overcoming cultural barriers in Indiaโ€™s corporate world03:47 - The drop-off of women in leadership tiers & closing the gap04:46 - Asking for what you want: From shy girl to boss lady05:45 - Mentoring as a catalyst for change & sharing personal stories06:13 - Why stories build confidence and break barriers07:09 - Cultural shifts in Indiaโ€™s urban centers08:45 - Challenging mindsets & the importance of self-belief09:24 - How fear inflates risks & the power of visualization10:41 - The storytelling approach in keynotes and talks11:23 - The mindset of visibility & LinkedIn content challenges12:22 - How to tackle fears of judgment & content creation13:30 - Inner voice and mindset blocks that hold women back14:44 - Power poses, breathing techniques, & visualizing success15:42 - Handling surprises & technical issues in public speaking16:35 - The power of practice & helping just one person at a time17:06 - Why nobody needs to be perfectโ€”just authentic18:36 - Embracing haters & managing digital negativity19:21 - Managing differing opinions in real life & online20:04 - Turning hecklers into improv exercises & staying agile21:11 - Planning for disruptions & visualizing worst-case scenarios22:00 - How preparation, cues, & environment cushion fears23:20 - Asking for what you need: Stage, facilities, & audience info24:46 - Shifting mindsets around women re-entering the workforce25:16 - The importance of know your audience & the value of visualization25:59 - Brain hacks athletes use & how to rehearse mentally26:24 - Connect with Neeraja: LinkedIn & upcoming programs27:01 - Final thoughts: Your story is your superpower Resources & Links: Thinkers360 Top 100 Thought LeadersNeeraja Ganesh LinkedInLinkedIn Writing Mindset ChallengeStorytelling as a Leadership ToolConnect with Neeraja: LinkedIn Keep shining, telling your stories, and smashing those glass ceilingsโ€”because your voice matters!

    27 min
  2. From Cardiac Arrest to Entrepreneurial Success: Cecilia Wichmann's Journey

    JAN 1

    From Cardiac Arrest to Entrepreneurial Success: Cecilia Wichmann's Journey

    Keywords Cecilia Wichmann, cardiac arrest, entrepreneurship, storytelling, resilience, CPR, emergency response, music, inspiration, community support Summary In this engaging conversation, Doug Thompson interviews Cecilia Wichmann, an entrepreneur, public speaker, and cardiac arrest survivor. Cecilia shares her inspiring journey from her early entrepreneurial ventures to her life-changing experiences with cardiac arrest. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and the need for everyone to learn CPR. Cecilia discusses her return to the EMS field, her creative projects in music and storytelling, and the significance of overcoming fear to pursue dreams. The conversation concludes with Cecilia encouraging listeners to embrace their stories and connect with her through various platforms. Takeaways Cecilia's entrepreneurial spirit was influenced by her grandfather's inventions. Surviving cardiac arrest changed Cecilia's perspective on life. Gratitude plays a crucial role in Cecilia's daily life. Everyone should learn CPR to help in emergencies. Cecilia's experience in EMS is driven by a desire to give back. Finding purpose can stem from overcoming adversity. Cecilia's music projects reflect her journey and creativity. Fear of the unknown often holds people back from pursuing dreams. Community support is vital for personal growth and success. Encouragement can help others take the first step towards their goals. Titles From Cardiac Arrest to Empowerment: Cecilia Wichmann's Journey The Power of Resilience: Lessons from Cecilia Wichmann Sound bites "Why was I the chosen one?" "I had a great day at the time." "Everybody has a story." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Cecilia Wichmann 02:09 Cecilia's Journey and Entrepreneurial Spirit 05:11 Surviving Cardiac Arrest: A Life-Changing Experience 09:10 The Importance of CPR and Emergency Response 11:43 Returning to EMS: A Call to Serve 14:19 Finding Purpose Through Adversity 16:09 Creative Ventures: Music and Storytelling 19:20 Overcoming Challenges and Sharing Stories 26:01 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect

    26 min
  3. Beyond Words: How Storytelling Transforms Our View

    10/10/2025

    Beyond Words: How Storytelling Transforms Our View

    Summary   In this engaging conversation, Doug Thompson and Kathryn Baron explore the intricacies of storytelling, particularly in the nonprofit sector. Kathryn shares her journey as a nonprofit professional, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, visual memory, and connecting with audiences. They discuss effective fundraising strategies, the evolving landscape of nonprofits, and the significance of individual donors. Kathryn expresses her mission to continue making a positive impact and her desire to share her insights on larger platforms.   Takeaways   Kathryn's background in nonprofit work spans over 25 years. Storytelling is a powerful tool for connecting with audiences. Authenticity and transparency are crucial in communication. Visual memory enhances storytelling and audience engagement. Fundraising requires a deep understanding of donor motivations. Direct mail remains a highly effective fundraising strategy. Nonprofits must diversify their funding sources to remainsustainable. Building relationships with donors is essential for long-term success. Catherine aims to help organizations navigate transitionsand rebranding. Engaging with audiences on a personal level fosters deeperconnections.   Titles   The Art of Storytelling in Nonprofits Connecting Through Authenticity    Sound bites   "You have to make a case for it." "I think I should be on some stages." "I love having phone calls with people."     Chapters   00:00 Introduction and Background 02:28 The Power of Storytelling 05:10 Visual Memory and Connection 08:05 Authenticity in Communication 10:51 Fundraising and Nonprofit Strategies 16:28 Challenges in Nonprofit Funding 19:05 Future Aspirations and Leadership 23:08 New Podcast outro with logo.mp4 Keywords   storytelling, nonprofit, fundraising, authenticity, visualmemory, audience connection, communication, mission-driven, transparency,engagement

    24 min
  4. Healthcare, Endurance, and Impact: The Joy McAdams Experience

    09/26/2025

    Healthcare, Endurance, and Impact: The Joy McAdams Experience

    Summary In this engaging conversation, Joy McAdams shares her journey from working in media to becoming a prominent figure in healthcare marketing and endurance sports. She discusses the importance of storytelling in healthcare, her experiences as a guide for challenged athletes, and her transition into competitive sports. Joy emphasizes the significance of community support and personal growth through physical challenges, while also advocating for those with health challenges. The conversation culminates in a call to action for supporting her upcoming race with a challenged athlete, highlighting the impact of their journey on others. Link to Ashely's fundraiser GiveSendGo | Donate to Support Ashley Get To The Finish Line For MS! Takeaways Joy McAdams has a passion for helping healthcare practices thrive.Her background in media has shaped her storytelling skills.Building relationships is crucial in healthcare marketing.Joy emphasizes the importance of personal growth through physical challenges.She advocates for challenged athletes and their journeys.The experience of guiding a challenged athlete is transformative.Community support plays a vital role in endurance sports.Joy's transition from amateur to pro showcases her dedication.HYROX training combines strength and endurance effectively.The message of perseverance is essential for those facing health challenges. Sound Bites "I'm really glad he shared with me.""It's to send the message to the world.""I'm strong enough to carry you."Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Joy McAdams 02:37 Joy's Journey in Healthcare and Media 05:48 Storytelling in Healthcare 08:30 The Challenge Athlete Experience 11:40 The Importance of Support in Endurance Sports 14:37 Transitioning from Amateur to Pro 17:49 The High Rocks Challenge 20:47 Supporting Ashley and the Ironman Foundation 27:34 New Podcast outro with logo.mp4 Connect with Joy https://www.linkedin.com/in/joy-mcadams-59878a10a/ https://www.instagram.com/jmcadams5/ keywords healthcare, endurance sports, storytelling, Ironman, HYROX, personal growth, community support, athlete advocacy, social media, relationship building

    28 min
  5. Failure Was the First Down with Marques Ogden

    08/29/2025

    Failure Was the First Down with Marques Ogden

    Keywords NFL, resilience, speaking, personal growth, rock bottom, coaching, gratitude, service, entrepreneurship, success Summary In this conversation, Marques Ogden shares his transformative journey from being an NFL player to hitting rock bottom and eventually becoming a successful speaker and entrepreneur. He discusses the importance of resilience, the lessons learned from his struggles, and the five key steps to becoming a successful speaker. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the significance of gratitude and service in his work, aiming to inspire others to avoid the mistakes he made and to thrive in their own journeys. Takeaways Marques Ogden transitioned from the NFL to a challenging period of addiction and bankruptcy. He emphasizes the importance of hitting rock bottom as a catalyst for change. The five steps to becoming a successful speaker include branding, marketing, sales, operations, and finance. Authenticity and service are crucial for success in speaking. Ogden's experiences have shaped his approach to coaching emerging speakers. He believes that knowledge is powerful, but applying that knowledge is life-changing. Gratitude plays a significant role in his journey and work. He aims to help others avoid catastrophic mistakes through his coaching. Ogden's story is a testament to resilience and personal growth. He encourages speakers to focus on their mission and the impact they can have. Sound bites "Rock bottom taught me lessons that success never could." "I help people avoid the large catastrophic mistakes." "You will be a very not booked, very lonely speaker." Chapters 00:00 From NFL to Rock Bottom: A Journey of Resilience 10:08 The Five Steps to Becoming a Successful Speaker 20:15 Building a Brand: The Importance of Authenticity and Service

    25 min
5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ Tired of boring corporate babble? Welcome to The Doug Thompson Podcastโ€”where storytelling meets real-world wisdom with a splash of humor and authenticity. Doug, a tech-savvy "edutainer" and passionate BBQ enthusiast, chats with charismatic speakers and trendsetting event planners, giving you exclusive hacks to land dream gigs and craft events worth talking about. Subscribe now, because lifeโ€™s too short to settle for dull storiesโ€”this is the caffeine kick your adulting routine needs! โ˜•๏ธ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿš€