Shift Out Loud with Tracy Spears Tracy Spears

The strongest leaders often come from humble beginnings, because these early hardships are instrumental in the development of grit. 


In this episode of Shift Out Loud, I talk to community leader Kian Kamas. As the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, Kian is passionate about creating long-term, institutional change in how Tulsa pursues its economic and community development objectives, and is committed to building a sustainable, world-class operating model that builds strong and stable long-term revenues for this important work.


Our discussion explores the many shifts that have led Kian to her current professional success, including her time at the University of Edinburgh, her shift into the world of politics, and her transformation from doer into strong leader. We also dive into her post-University struggles, the hardest job she’s ever had, and how growing up on a farm helped to strengthen her incredible work ethic.


Ready to play bigger? Listen now to discover: 
The biggest challenges Kian has faced while shifting from doer into leader — and how she works through themHow she navigates a self image of herself as an inexperienced “small-town girl”The exercises she uses to help her team find joy and potential in what they do  
Guest bio: Kian Kamas serves as the Executive Director of PartnerTulsa, leading Tulsa’s comprehensive community and economic development strategy and a team of talented professionals dedicated to increasing economic opportunity for Tulsa residents. Prior to this role, Kian served as Mayor G.T. Bynum’s Chief of Economic Development. She and her husband Lathen have lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma since 2009, and are raising their son Leith as a proud Tulsan.


Timestamps:
01:45  Intro
03:22  Meet Kian Kamas
05:54  Early work experience
08:24  “All hands on deck” 
10:52  Grit
13:10  Building a strong team
16:27  Hardest job & University of Oklahoma
19:10  University of Edinburgh
21:45  Return to the US & finding her place
26:09  Self-perception
28:44  Biggest challenges
34:22  Team-building tips
40:00  Team retreat
45:40  What’s next?


Links:
Kian Kamas
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiankamas 
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com 
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com 
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger in your life, at work, and in your community? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog 
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker 
Twitter: @tracylspears 
Instagram: @tracylspears

I may be cheering you on as you think and play bigger, but my guest for this episode could give me a few professional tips! Charity Barton is the University of Tulsa Cheer coach, a Director at TU's Collins College of Business, and an entrepreneur who believes in the power of storytelling. Not only is Charity a gifted and charismatic speaker, she is a TEDx alumna. Her Talk, “How to Fix Your Unhealthiest Relationship”, focuses on the effects of media consumption on mental health and self perception, and how to develop a healthier lifestyle through media literacy — a timely and necessary topic!


While Charity has experienced many shifts in her life, she has also consciously created breathing room that allows her to consider her best next steps. During our conversation, Charity and I dig into the ways in which taking gap years has helped to shape her path forward and allowed her to shift out loud on her own terms. We also discuss Charity’s experiences along the road to TEDx Tulsa and how she is redefining her relationship with mass media for the better.


Listen now to discover: 
How Charity’s ‘why’ changed in terms of seeking her degree, and how this shift affected her decisionCharity’s TEDx process and how she prepared for this prestigious stage Powerful tips for interacting with media in a healthier way

Guest bio: Charity Barton is a former University of Tulsa cheerleader and alumna with a B.A. in Communications. She is a Director at TU's Collins College of Business and the TU Cheer coach. She has a Master's in Mass Communications, and recently gave her first TEDx Talk, titled “How to Fix Your Unhealthiest Relationship.”
Timestamps:
01:57  Intro
02:51  Meet Charity Barton
04:34  Gap year lessons
06:50  Influences behind her shifts
10:36  Spain & France
15:10  TEDx Tulsa
20:27  Unhealthiest relationship
23:54  Changing the input
26:51  Storytelling shift
33:33  Good/bad storytelling
38:40  Education & leadership
41:18  What’s next?


Links:
Charity Barton
https://cboriginal.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e_q01Ym9Fk
Instagram: @iamchar.ity


The Skin I’m In by Sharon Flake
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/skin-im-in-sharon-g-flake/1100552129
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren
https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Life-What-Earth/dp/031033750X
Don't Drop the Mic: The Power of Your Words Can Change the World by T. D. Jakes
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-drop-the-mic-t-d-jakes/1137427897
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit: https://tracyspears.com
My resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears

My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud is definitely playing bigger — she was recently recognized as a 2023 Power List Leader in Workplace Diversity by Oklahoma’s Journal Record! As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at BOK Financial, Janet Huber is responsible for providing leadership, vision, and a team-oriented philosophy to advance diversity and inclusion within the organization.


During our conversation, we talk about the unique opportunities provided by the pandemic, how working in the court system helped Janet to shift out loud and hone her craft, and the amazing books that have enabled us to think and play bigger!


Listen now to discover: 
The importance of taking the time to appreciate our achievements (and those of the people around us!) Why privilege is so often misunderstood and the power of conscious gratitude  How to know when you need to speak out — and what to say when you don’t know what to say  
Guest bio: Janet Huber is a Senior Vice President and Director of Diversity and Inclusion at BOK Financial. She has over 20 years of progressive HR experience and is passionate about establishing relationships and collaborating to facilitate cross-cultural dialogue and establish inclusive environments. 


Timestamps:
01:48  Intro
03:43  Meet Janet Huber
06:18  North Carolina to Tulsa and back
09:43  Pandemic & remote work
11:39  Wells Fargo to BOK
12:42  “Brag sheets” & thank yous
15:44  Wilkesboro
18:09  Mediation & the empathy gap
22:07  Privilege, gratitude & using your voice
27:02  When to speak & what to say
33:14  Sharing the microphone & mentoring
37:28  Shifting from manager to consultant
42:14  What’s next & DEI


Links:
Janet Huber
https://www.linkedin.com/in/janet-huber-phr-cm-cpc-0b94542
Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss with Tahl Raz
https://www.amazon.com/NEW-Never-Split-Difference-Lead-Title/dp/B09VCPNDH3 
The Power of Thanks: How Social Recognition Empowers Employees and Creates a Best Place to Work by Eric Mosley & Derek Irvine
https://www.amazon.com/Power-Thanks-Recognition-Empowers-Employees/dp/0071838406 
Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Troublemaker-Luvvie-Ajayi-Jones/dp/0593298772 
Master Mentors: 30 Transformative Insights from Our Greatest Minds by Scott Miller
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Mentors-Transformative-Insights-Greatest/dp/1400221013 
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com 
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit https://tracyspears.com 
Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog 
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker 
Twitte

Often, our most impactful shifts can take us by surprise or seem to come out of nowhere. My guest for this episode of Shift Out Loud is mastering the art of recognizing the right opportunities and shifting out loud with intention — whether that means playing bigger in the corporate world, leading her community, or embracing her role at home. 


Jessica Lowe-Betts is a Vice President at the PR and leadership development firm Schnake Turnbo Frank, and a former Senior Diversity & Inclusion Consultant at ONEOK. She has had an incredible career and more than her fair share of shifts! For over a decade prior to joining ONEOK, Jessica worked in various roles at the Tulsa Regional Chamber and Tulsa Regional Tourism, has co-chaired the Association for Women in Communications Newsmakers Event, and currently serves as the inaugural Chair of the Board of Directors for Greenwood Rising history center. 


Our discussion explores the lessons that Jessica has learned through experiencing a tragic loss in her early childhood, her struggles with overcoming imposter syndrome, and how each of her amazing shifts has led to her current success.


Listen now to discover: 
Why Jessica shifted away from her first love, broadcast journalism, and toward local government and business organizations How she knew when it was time to play bigger — and how she recognized the right opportunityHow she is nailing her core as a mother and wife, and being intentional about where she is in her life right nowGuest bio: Jessica Lowe-Betts is a Vice President at Schnake Turnbo Frank’s Tulsa office with 15+ years of experience in government affairs, communications, marketing, leadership coaching, and diversity, equity and inclusion consulting. She is an experienced DEI practitioner, communications professional, event planner, and community leader.
Timestamps:
01:37  Intro
03:36  Meet Jessica Lowe-Betts
06:36  Early years & memories
11:25  Family support
13:50  Shifting to college
17:23  Shifting away from journalism
21:50  Shifts & evolutions
24:08  Imposter syndrome
26:55  Knowing the right opportunity
30:50  Schnake & “beautiful chaos”
35:12  Pandemic, harmony & authenticity
39:24  The pay-off & inclusion
43:07  What’s next?
Links:
Jessica Lowe-Betts
https://www.facebook.com/jessica.lowebetts
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lowe-betts-a6023110
Instagram: @jlowebetts
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit https://tracyspears.com
Want tools and insights that will help you play bigger? Visit https://tracyspears.com/blog
Connect with me
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears

Christopher Uric Brecht-Smith is a trailblazer in championing equality, and his passion for playing a bigger game has led him to make legal history… not once, but twice! Chris studied journalism at Oklahoma State University before shifting gears to pursue a juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa… and this shift would have a MASSIVE, reverberating impact for his community.  


Chris now practices family, guardianship, and adoption law as a partner at McDaniel Acord in south Tulsa. In 2019, he and his husband, Michael, obtained an appeal from the Supreme Court of Oklahoma that recognizes and acknowledges the parental rights of nonbiological same-sex parents on the same basis as their biological parental counterparts. Two years later, he obtained the first nonbinary birth certificate ever issued in the State of Oklahoma.  


In this episode of Shift Out Loud, Chris and I talk about his family’s reaction to his coming out, the importance of paying heed to your internal voice, and his unexpected shift into practicing groundbreaking constitutional law.


Listen now to discover: 
How he won a paradigm-shifting, landmark appeal as a new lawyer  The unfortunate human cost of his history-making caseA step-by-step overview of the civil rights lawsuit that led Oklahoma to issue a nonbinary birth certificate   
Guest bio: Christopher Uric Brecht-Smit is an Oklahoma boy through and through.  Born in Edmond, Oklahoma, Chris attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for journalism and earned a juris doctorate from the University of Tulsa. His law practice heavily emphasizes LGBTQ+ representation. He lives in Tulsa with his husband Michael Brecht-Smith, also an attorney, and their two fur babies. 


Timestamps:
01:50  Intro
03:40  Meet Christopher Uric Brecht-Smith
10:07  Shift from journalism to law
16:01  Edmond & OSU
18:39  Coming out to family
28:18  Figuring it out & moving on
35:15  Being present & gracious
43:15  Nonbiological same-sex parental rights
51:53  Shift to diversity
55:47  Nonbinary birth certificate case
1:04:44  Equality gala
Links:
Christopher Uric Brecht-Smith
https://www.ok-counsel.com 
https://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Brecht-Attorney-At-law/100069448718521 
cbrecht@ok-counsel.com
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com 
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Find more information at https://tracyspears.com 
Want tools that will help you play bigger in your life? Visit my resource library: https://tracyspears.com/blog 
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker 
Twitter: @tracylspears 
Instagram: @tracylspears 
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game.

You’d be surprised by the positive impact you can have on your community in just 45 minutes per week. If you want to learn how to make a huge difference in under an hour, you won’t want to miss this episode of Shift Out Loud!


I speak to Olivia Martin, who is championing students, teachers, parents, and volunteers in the meaningful work of literacy for children in Tulsa and the surrounding areas. As the Executive Director of Reading Partners of Tulsa, she works to provide students with the support they need to read at grade level by fourth grade, partnering with under-resourced schools and pairing kids with volunteer reading partners.


During our conversation, we dig into her experience in the Leadership Tulsa program, 
how her daughter’s passion for the theatre led to an unexpected shift in Olivia’s career, and how she’s making an INCREDIBLE difference in her community.


Listen now to discover: 
How to get more comfortable asking for money while in a fundraising roleWhy we’re currently experiencing a crisis in youth literacy — and what needs to happen in order to fix it  How to play a role in the Reading Partners mission, in just 45 minutes per week  
Guest bio: Olivia Martin is a devoted advocate for education and the Tulsa community who brings more than two decades of experience in teaching, school administration, development, and civic engagement to her role as the executive director or Reading Partners of Tulsa. She envisions a big, bold future for Reading Partners Tulsa and looks forward to nurturing data-driven growth and collaborative partnerships in the service of students’ literacy and a life-long love of learning.


Timestamps:
01:49  Intro
03:04  Meet Olivia Martin
05:25  Leadership Tulsa 
09:06  YWCA, Tulsa Dream Center, Theatre Tulsa & Collegiate Hall
12:11  Performance, theatre & extroversion
15:47  Fundraising
17:58  Vital literacy statistics
22:09  Julia Louis-Dreyfuss & Toni Morrison
30:13  Reading Partners
35:58  May Fest, fundraising gala & Stacey Abrams
40:41  Getting involved & what’s next


Links:
Olivia Martin
https://readingpartners.org/location/tulsa
https://readingpartners.org/donate
Wiser Than Me™ with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
https://lemonadamedia.com/show/wiser-than-me-with-julia-louis-dreyfus
Discover your tactical leadership toolkit: https://www.exceptionalleaderslab.com
Interested in working with me or having me speak at your event? Visit: https://tracyspears.com
Visit my resource library for tools that will help you play bigger: https://tracyspears.com/blog
—
Connect with me:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracylspears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TracySpearsSpeaker
Twitter: @tracylspears
Instagram: @tracylspears
If you love the podcast, please consider leaving a rating and review — this will help others discover how to play a bigger game.