Thrive Today Thrive Today Podcast

How can we cultivate authentic fruit in our lives and share it with others, even amidst the challenges and busyness of everyday life?

In this insightful episode of the Thrive Today podcast, Natalie Born engages in a heartfelt conversation with Amber Vaughan, a project manager, UX researcher, and devoted mother of three. Amber shares her journey of juggling her professional career and family life while staying rooted in her faith. She emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ and finding genuine community to support personal and spiritual growth. Amber also opens up about her experiences as a parent of a child with special needs, highlighting the role of prayer, patience, and wisdom in navigating the unique challenges and joys that come with it.

Amber is currently a Project Manager. Her background is in UX Research, Communication, Sales, and Marketing. Amber leads a specific organization of women in a bible study during the fall and winter months each year. But her true joy is found in spending time with her husband, Josh, and three kids Levi (8), Caleb (7), and Kendall (2).

00:00:00 - 00:03:00 - Amber's Background and Balancing Work with Family Life
- Amber's diverse professional background in sales, marketing, UX research, and project management
- The importance of prioritizing time and finding a balance while working remotely with three children
- Abiding in Christ through various means, such as Bible study apps, worship music, and podcasts

00:03:00 - 00:08:00 - Authentic Fruit vs. Fake Fruit
- The difference between presenting a perfect image and being genuine in our faith
- Recognizing that all good fruit comes from Christ working through us
- The true test of our fruit is revealed in challenging situations and interactions with others

00:08:00 - 00:15:00 - Cultivating Authentic Community
- The value of being honest and vulnerable with trusted friends and mentors
- Overcoming past negative experiences and praying for God to provide the right community
- The power of prayer in finding specific, relatable community, as in Amber's experience with connecting with other mothers of children with special needs

00:15:00 - 00:22:00 - Growing Authentic Fruit through Parenting a Child with Special Needs
- Amber's son Levi's unique challenges and joys as a child with autism and ADHD
- The importance of relying on God for wisdom, patience, and understanding in parenting
- The power of fasting and prayer in seeking guidance and breakthrough for Levi's well-being

00:22:00 - 00:24:00 - Encouragement to Seek Community and Thrive
- An invitation to listeners to actively seek out community and support
- The significance of Amber and Natalie's long-standing friendship and shared experiences
- A final reminder to thrive in leadership, community, and strength
Quotes:
"Even the good that comes out of me, is it me it's Christ in me. And I think that's what we have to remember. - Amber Vaughan

Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.

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How can mastering the art of difficult conversations and emotional management revolutionize your leadership and transform your personal and professional relationships? In this insightful episode of the Thrive Today podcast, host Natalie Born sits down with Ryan Dunlap, founder of Conflict-ish and former law enforcement officer, to explore the intricacies of navigating high-stakes conversations and managing emotions under pressure. Drawing from his extensive experience in hostage negotiation, crisis intervention, and leadership, Ryan shares powerful strategies and insights that can help individuals become more effective communicators and leaders. Throughout the conversation, Ryan emphasizes the importance of separating the person from the problem, understanding the other person's perspective, and actively listening without judgment. He also delves into the concept of reputation management and the lasting impact of emotional outbursts on one's credibility and influence. Listeners will walk away with practical tools and a newfound understanding of how to approach challenging conversations with tact, empathy, and strategic thinking.

With more than 20 years of combined law enforcement, ministry, and executive leadership experience, Ryan Dunlap is an internationally recognized conflict management coach and trainer. He is a Certified Leadership Coach as well as the founder and Chief Conflict Officer at Conflictish, a conflict strategy firm dedicated to helping leaders improve how they lead themselves and others through conflict. He is the creator of The Real Tact Model®, a custom framework for developing conflict competence.

00:00:00 - 00:06:00 - Unraveling the Threads of Difficult Conversations
High-stakes conversations are subjective and require
understanding the other person's perspective.
Defining clear objectives and focusing on the future state is crucial for productive conversations.
Emotional hijacking can lead to ineffective communication and damaged relationships.

00:06:00 - 00:13:00 - The Art of Tactful Communication
Approaching conversations with finesse and strategic thinking leads to better outcomes.
The three-part assertive message framework helps communicate value without causing offense.
Pausing and rethinking one's approach can prevent emotional responses and facilitate constructive dialogue.

00:13:00 - 00:20:00 - Listening: The Superpower of Effective Leaders
Active listening and empathy can transform hostile conversations into meaningful exchanges.
Separating the person from the problem allows for more effective conflict resolution.
Most people have an emotional management problem rather than a conflict management problem.

00:20:00 - 00:26:00 - The Ripple Effect of Emotional Outbursts
Losing one's cool can have lasting negative impacts on reputation and credibility.
Reputation consists of passive (the story others tell) and active (lived experiences) components.
Consistently demonstrating character and managing emotions is crucial for influencing how others perceive us.

00:26:00 - 00:31:00 - Accountability and the Weight of Words
The impact of disrespect and negativity is often felt more deeply than intended.
Accountability for one's actions should match the level of perceived offense.
Being mindful of the weight of our words can prevent unintended consequences in communication.

Quotes:
"Separate the person from the problem. Attack the problem while preserving the person." - Ryan Dunlap

"Most people don't have a conflict management problem. What most people have is an emotional management problem." - Ryan Dunlap

Connect with Ryan:
Website: https://www.conflictish.com/
Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.
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How can women navigate the challenges of unconscious bias and negative self-talk to become confident leaders in their fields?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Thrive Today podcast, host Natalie Born and founder Colleen Rouse delve into the challenges women face in the workplace, particularly in light of a recent incident involving a female pilot and a senator's unconscious bias. The conversation explores the importance of women being less triggered and more centered in their reactions, focusing on their purpose and standing confidently in their God-given abilities. Natalie and Colleen discuss the power of executive presence, the value of bringing one's unique self to the table, and the need to replace negative self-talk with God's truth. The episode offers practical insights and encouragement for women striving to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Author Colleen Rouse founded ThriveToday birthed from the support of John Maxwell’s Thrive initiative. She coaches leaders and speaks at churches and organizations across the world with her expertise on biblical truths for women in leadership.

Colleen co-pastored alongside her husband at Victory Church for over 30 years building a church of over 16,000 multicultural members with multiple church campuses and 140 nations represented. Colleen’s leadership skills have been instrumental in leading the Victory organization toward its success today.

[00:00:00 - 00:04:00] Navigating Unconscious Bias: Reacting with Grace and Understanding
Women should strive to become less triggered and more
centered when faced with unconscious bias.
It's essential to focus on being a catalyst for progress rather than playing the victim or villain game.
Women must be established, rooted, and grounded in God's love to help others have breakthroughs.

[00:04:00 - 00:09:00] Confidence and Executive Presence: Knowing Your Value and Taking Up Space
Women should know their personal value, who they are, and what they bring to the table.
Building executive presence helps women to be seen as equals in the room.
Observing and understanding body language can help women validate their presence in a room.

[00:09:00 - 00:15:00] Servant Leadership: Walking into a Room Like You Belong There
Walking into a room like you belong there makes it about others, not just about yourself.
Women should be assertive and bring warmth and grace to the room, as there is power in being grace-filled.
Setting the stage by warmly greeting and praying for others can change the dynamic of a room.

[00:15:00 - 00:21:00] Bringing Your Unique Self to the Table: The Power of Being Different
Women should bring their unique selves to the table, not just mirror others' behavior.
It's essential to balance being yourself with being there to serve others.
Negative self-talk can hold women back from becoming who they're meant to be.

[00:21:00 - 00:26:00] Replacing Negative Self-Talk with God's Truth: The Path to Liberation
Women must identify their saboteurs and replace negative narratives with God's truth.
Meditating on the truth and speaking it out loud can help women battle negative self-talk.
True liberation comes from being self-aware and asking the Holy Spirit for context.

Quotes:
"If we want to make progress, then you and I as female leaders, we have to learn to become less triggered and more centered." - Colleen Rouse

"We don't have to hide it if we're good at something or if we enjoy something or if we have a knack for something." - Natalie Born

Connect with Colleen:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwrouse/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleenrouse/
Website: https://thrivetoday.com/
Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-STAR Review!

Can true success be achieved without aligning our internal world with our external goals? Explore how faith, mental health, and entrepreneurship intertwine for a fulfilled life.

In this inspiring episode of "Thrive Today," host Natalie Born sits down with Angel Marie, a faith-based success coach and founder of Empowered Mission, to dive deep into the heart of spiritual, mental, and financial freedom in entrepreneurship. Together, they explore the unique challenges and triumphs of creating a business that not only prospers financially but is also rooted in faith and personal well-being. This conversation sheds light on the importance of internal success, the struggle against comparison and financial inconsistency, and the power of faith in navigating the entrepreneurial journey.

Angel Marie is a faith-based success coach and founder of the online learning platform known as Empowered Mission. She focuses on equipping creative entrepreneurs to achieve God-empowered spiritual, mental, and financial freedom by developing the marketing and mindset skills of Jesus. Through her ongoing content, she’s helped over 100,000 people grow themselves and their online businesses through authentic digital marketing tactics, brand-building strategies, mental health mentorship, and spiritual guidance.

[00:00:00 - 00:05:00] Unveiling the Mission: Introduction to Angel Marie and her vision of faith-based success coaching.
Angel Marie's approach to integrating faith with business coaching.
The significance of mental and spiritual health in entrepreneurship.
Overcoming the fear of starting with faith as the foundation.

[00:05:00 - 00:10:00] Building on Belief: Diving into the role of faith in achieving business success.
The impact of spiritual principles on business ethics and strategies.
Strategies for embedding faith into professional growth.
The transformative power of faith-based coaching in personal and professional development.

[00:10:00 - 00:15:00] Confronting Comparison: Addressing the challenge of comparison in the entrepreneurial journey.
The detrimental effects of comparison on confidence and creativity.
Angel's strategies for helping clients discover their unique voice.
The importance of focusing on one's path and potential.

[00:15:00 - 00:20:00] Financial Freedom Foundations: Exploring financial challenges and strategies for entrepreneurs.
The reality of financial instability in the early stages of business.
Budgeting, stewardship, and faith in financial planning.
The role of financial discipline and planning in achieving long-term success.

[00:20:00 - 00:25:00] The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Final insights on perseverance, marketing, and self-belief.
The necessity of perseverance through challenges.
The importance of marketing oneself and constant learning.
Angel Marie's personal journey of faith and entrepreneurship.

Quotes:
"You cannot ever truly achieve what I call God-empowered success unless internally you are okay enough to sustain it." - Angel Marie

"If God is calling you to it, it doesn't mean it's just gonna be easy. He might put you through the fire, but it's only to equip you." - Angel Marie

Connect with Angel:
Website: https://coachangelmarie.com/

Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-STAR Review!

Have you ever wondered how to integrate your spiritual journey with your professional life? How does one find true meaning in work?

In this enlightening episode of Thrive Today, host Natalie Born engages in a profound conversation with Barry Rowan, author of "The Spiritual Art of Business: Connecting the Daily with the Divine." Rowan shares his personal journey of integrating spirituality into his professional life, seeking meaning beyond success, and how he navigated through various paradigm shifts. His reflections offer insights into living a life aligned with one's deeper values and purposes, inviting listeners into a transformative discussion about work, faith, and personal growth.

Barry Rowan is a Harvard Business School graduate who spent his entire career serving in C-Suite roles. He has been instrumental in building and transforming eight businesses, primarily in the technology and communication space, with one selling for $10 billion. His leadership experience spans both private and public companies, including Gogo (the inflight connectivity company), Vonage, Nextel Partners, and Fluke Corporation.

[00:01:00 - 00:05:00] The Quest for Meaning in Work
Realization of a spiritual void in a successful career
The turning point: a retreat and self-reflection
Redefining success and finding purpose

00:05:00 - 00:10:00] Bridging the Divine and the Daily
The inception of 'The Spiritual Art of Business'
Integrating faith into daily work life
Transforming work into a spiritual practice

[00:10:00 - 00:15:00] The Role of Failure and Surrender
Embracing failures as a part of the journey
Learning from setbacks and refocusing
The power of surrendering to a higher purpose

[00:15:00 - 00:20:00] Redefining Success
Shifting perspective from achievement to fulfillment
Understanding true success in the light of spirituality
Balancing ambition with spiritual values

[00:20:00 - 00:25:00] Advice for Future Generations
Lessons learned and wisdom imparted
Encouragement for younger selves
Embracing gratitude, trust, and the journey of life

Quotes:
“My career became the crucible for the formation of my soul." - Barry Rowan

"It's God's perspective of the work that ultimately infuses it with meaning." - Barry Rowan

Connect with Barry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrylrowan/
Website: https://www.barrylrowan.com/

Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.

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Can vision boards, rooted in scientific evidence, genuinely propel us towards our life goals? How does visualizing success translate into tangible achievement?

In this episode of "Thrive Today," host Natalie Born engages with the inspiring Valorie Burton, CEO and founder of the CaPP Institute. They delve into the transformative power of vision boards, the intricacies of personal growth, and the profound impact of coaching in professional and personal realms. Burton shares her insights on identifying and bridging growth gaps, the importance of vision in driving change, and how visual tools can significantly influence our decision-making processes. This discussion is a treasure trove for anyone seeking to enhance their life and career through introspection, visualization, and strategic personal development.

National bestselling author, international speaker and life strategist Valorie Burton is the founder and CEO of the Coaching and Positive Psychology (CaPP) Institute. Her life-changing message has an intriguing, research-based emphasis in the pioneering field of applied positive psychology – the study of what happens when things go right with us. She teaches that resilience is a skill that can be learned – and anyone who wants to have fulfillment, high impact and success must learn it.

[00:01:00 - 00:06:00] Vision Boards and Personal Transformation
The scientific basis behind the effectiveness of vision boards.
How visual imagery can prioritize our goals and aspirations.
The practical application of vision boards in everyday life.
[00:06:00 - 00:11:00] The Power of Coaching in Personal Growth
Coaching as a tool for resilience and skill development.
The significance of coaching in navigating life's challenges.
The importance of professional training and certification in coaching.
[00:11:00 - 00:16:00] Identifying and Addressing Growth Gaps
Understanding growth gaps and their impact on achieving goals.
Strategies to address common growth gaps like consistency and discipline.
The role of self-awareness in personal development.
[00:16:00 - 00:21:00] The Role of Confidence in Leadership
The impact of confidence on executive presence and decision-making.
Overcoming imposter syndrome to enhance personal effectiveness.
The importance of body language in conveying confidence.
[00:21:00 - 00:25:00] Reflective Practices for Self-Improvement
Utilizing reflection as a tool for personal growth.
The power of self-compassion in personal evaluation.
Practical reflective questions to facilitate continuous improvement.

Quotes:
"Our brain prioritizes images more than words. Vision boards help pull you forward towards your vision." - Valorie Burton

"Confidence is the stuff that turns our thoughts into action." - Valorie Burton

Connect with Valorie:
Website: https://valorieburton.com/
Follow Thrive Today on Instagram (@thrivetodaywomen) and visit our website at Thrive Today.
Don't forget to subscribe and leave a 5-STAR Review!