Tide Talks

Josh Nelson

Tide Talks is a personal and professional development podcast which empowers individuals to lead successful lives and careers. CEO, Nonprofit Founder, and host of Tide Talks, Josh Nelson, is passionate about using this as a platform to empower the youth to think bigger. He sits down with real people, from all backgrounds, who tell the stories of their successes, failures, and what they wish they could tell a younger version of themselves.

Episodes

  1. Community as a Catalyst for Career Growth

    11/18/2025

    Community as a Catalyst for Career Growth

    In this conversation, Sara Milstein shares her insights on career journeys, the importance of slowing down, and the value of mentorship. She emphasizes honesty in communication and the power of kindness and community. Sara reflects on her experiences and offers advice for youth navigating their careers, highlighting the inevitability of challenges and the importance of learning from them. Sara Milstein is the Chief Marketing and Brand Experience Officer at the YMCA of Central Maryland. Sara is an expert in brand positioning and management, creative development, and marketing/communications oversight. Milstein began her career in public service, working with programs serving at-risk youth in Baltimore City. She later transitioned to work on the agency side of advertising, where she managed campaigns for clients in the health care, non-profit and retail sectors, before returning to the non-profit world to her current position at the Y.  In This Episode  00:00 Introduction and Career Reflections 03:03 The Importance of Slowing Down 05:46 Building a Support Network 08:21 Mentorship and Learning from Others 11:23 The Value of Honesty in Communication 14:17 The Power of Kindness and Community 16:44 Navigating Career Challenges 19:38 Final Thoughts and Advice for Youth 27:54 Closing Thoughts 28:17 Outro Connect with Sara Milstein LinkedIn: Sara Milstein Follow Tide Talks Spotify: ⁠Tide Talks⁠ Apple Podcasts: ⁠Tide Talks⁠ Youtube: ⁠@TideTalksByHighTideConsulting⁠  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: ⁠High Tide Co⁠ Website: ⁠hightideco.com⁠Instagram: ⁠@hightideconsulting_⁠

    29 min
  2. Building a Life You Love

    11/04/2025

    Building a Life You Love

    This conversation is centred on a holistic approach to navigating your life and career. Elsa Pereira shares her diverse career journey to becoming the Chief Operating Officer at Asphalt Green, and now, to running her own consulting practice in strategic leadership for complex capital projects. This episode explores insightful concepts such as networking, living abroad, trusting the universe, and investing in yourself through gratitude and mindfulness. Elsa’s insights are deeply valuable to anyone seeking professional growth and personal fulfillment.  Elsa Pereira is a strategic executive with deep leadership experience in New York City’s non-profit space. She specializes in capital project strategy and delivery, owner’s representation, and project management. Elsa’s current work as the CEO and Founder of a consulting company is focused exclusively on capital projects strategy and management. In This Episode  00:00 Introduction and Early Life  06:19 Driving Forces In Your Career Journey 11:17 What Do You Wish You Could Tell Your Younger Self?  14:51 Finding Inspiration in Those Around You 24:44 Shifting Your Mindset and Investing in Yourself  37:19 Continuous Learning and Growth 40:07 Closing Thoughts  Connect with Elsa Pereira LinkedIn: Elsa Pereira Follow Tide Talks Spotify: ⁠Tide Talks⁠  Apple Podcasts: ⁠Tide Talks⁠  Youtube: ⁠@TideTalksByHighTideConsulting⁠  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: ⁠High Tide Co⁠  Website: ⁠hightideco.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@hightideconsulting_⁠

    41 min
  3. Our Lives Are So Much More Than Our Jobs

    10/21/2025

    Our Lives Are So Much More Than Our Jobs

    In this conversation, Jenna shares her non-linear career journey, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, networking, and continuous education. She reflects on her past experiences, the value of taking ownership of failures, and the significance of having a voice in the workplace. Jenna discusses the balance between hobbies and career, the power of networking with intention, and how to navigate job loss while maintaining mental health. She also highlights the importance of building a folder of praise and wins to boost confidence and motivation. Jenna Trunzo is an experienced leader in project management, Salesforce portfolio management, and presales management. Jenna’s current role as IP Portfolio & Vertical Lead Manager at CDW builds on her experience growing the company’s Salesforce practice, promoting Salesforce capabilities both internally and externally.  Connect with Jenna Trunzo LinkedIn: Jenna Trunzo Follow Tide Talks Spotify: Tide Talks  Apple Podcasts: Tide Talks  Youtube: @TideTalksByHighTideConsulting  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: High Tide Co  Website: hightideco.com  Instagram: @hightideconsulting_  In This Episode  00:00 Grounding in Purpose 01:00 Jenna's Non-Linear Career Journey 06:08 Reflecting on Past Experiences 09:59 The Importance of Authenticity in Customer Interactions 14:53 Taking Ownership and Learning from Failures 19:24 Building a Folder of Praise and Wins 22:07 The Value of Having a Voice 26:10 Networking with Intent 29:51 Embracing Your Unique Strengths 33:59 Continuous Education and Growth 39:04 The Power of Networking and Human Connection 46:29 Navigating Job Loss and Mental Health 51:48 The Balance Between Hobbies and Career 56:58 Inspirations Along the Journey

    55 min
  4. The Power of Connection in Career Development

    09/23/2025

    The Power of Connection in Career Development

    In this engaging episode, we explore Deanna Foukal’s journey transitioning from a small-town upbringing to a successful consulting career, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, self-discovery, and the role of psychology in personal and professional growth. She discusses the significance of relationships in the workplace, the concept of intelligent failure, and the complexities of organizational psychology, providing valuable insights for listeners seeking to navigate their own career paths. Deanna Germaine Foukal is a transformational leader in organizational psychology and change management. The majority of her career was spent in consulting and project management, yet she has since transitioned into her role as an Enterprise Transformation Lead, where she leverages her passion for communication to help people and organizations thrive.  In This Episode  00:00 Journey to Consulting: A Personal Story 03:44 The Shift to Psychology and Self-Discovery 06:27 Finding Mentorship: Building Relationships 08:57 Lessons from Failure: Embracing Intelligent Failure 11:40 Advice to My Younger Self: Navigating Career Paths 14:22 The Importance of Perspective in Career Growth 16:42 Balancing Reality and Aspirations: A Grounded Approach 22:38 The Importance of Understanding Business Context 27:37 Building Meaningful Relationships in the Workplace 31:05 Recognizing Inspirational Figures in Your Career 35:41 The Role of Organizational Psychology in Business 43:23 Navigating Change in Organizations 44:13 Closing Connect with Deanna Germaine Foukal LinkedIn: ⁠Deanna Germaine Foukal⁠ Follow Tide Talks Spotify: ⁠Tide Talks⁠  Apple Podcasts: ⁠Tide Talks⁠  Youtube: ⁠@TideTalksByHighTideConsulting⁠  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: ⁠High Tide Co⁠  Website: ⁠hightideco.com⁠  Instagram: ⁠@hightideconsulting_⁠

    44 min
  5. Communication as a Superpower in Public Speaking and Beyond

    09/09/2025

    Communication as a Superpower in Public Speaking and Beyond

    In this engaging conversation, Ivy Gustafson shares her journey as a leader in the speaking industry, discussing her transition from agent to coach at ImpactEleven. She emphasizes the importance of community, touches on the role of AI in enhancing communication, and the value of mentorship. Ivy also highlights the significance of taking small risks, or “hops of faith,” in career development and the continuous evolution required to succeed in public speaking. Ivy Gustafson is a pivotal force in the world of professional speaking. She spent 17 years at the Washington Speakers Bureau as Vice President and Lecture Agent, where she represented household names in business and politics, including Fortune 100 CEOs and former U.S. Presidents. Following this, Ivy spent several years at Gotham Artists, a boutique New York speakers bureau, before dedicating her career to coaching prominent speakers and C-suite executives at ImpactEleven. In This Episode  00:00 Introduction 02:49 Ivy's Journey into Speaking 05:35 Navigating Career Changes and Risks 08:24 Lessons from the Speaking Industry 11:05 Impact 11 and Its Mission 14:12 The Importance of Community in Speaking 17:07 The Role of AI in Speaking 19:49 Coaching and Development Opportunities 22:59 Inspiration and Mentorship 25:35 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 41:01 Thank You 41:17 Outro Connect with Ivy Gustafson LinkedIn: Ivy Gustafson Follow Tide Talks Spotify: Tide Talks  Apple Podcasts: Tide Talks  Youtube: @TideTalksByHighTideConsulting  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: High Tide Co  Website: hightideco.com  Instagram: @hightideconsulting_

    41 min
  6. How to Excel as an Emerging Leader

    08/26/2025

    How to Excel as an Emerging Leader

    In this conversation, Sue Glass shares her journey through the nonprofit sector, highlighting the importance of mentorship, authenticity, and the intersection of technology and community. She discusses her career path, the challenges she faced, and the lessons she learned along the way, emphasizing the need for leaders to foster an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity. This discussion also touches on the role of technology and AI in enhancing nonprofit operations while maintaining the essential human connections that drive community engagement. Sue Glass is a transformational leader with over 26 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, and fund and program development. Her change leadership prioritises a strong commitment to innovation and excellence. Her current role as president and CEO of YMCA of Greater Charlotte reflects her passion for inspiring community impact for diverse groups. Connect with Sue Glass LinkedIn: Sue Glass  Follow Tide Talks Spotify: Tide Talks  Apple Podcasts: Tide Talks  Youtube: @TideTalksByHighTideConsulting  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: High Tide Co Website: hightideco.comInstagram: @hightideconsulting_ In This Episode  00:00 Introduction and Background 03:16 Career Journey and Nonprofit Leadership 08:50 Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change 15:06 Lessons from Mentorship and Leadership 21:17 The Importance of Authenticity and Vulnerability 26:41 The Role of Technology and AI in Nonprofits 35:33 Community Connection and the Future of Nonprofits 40:53 Thank you 41:19 Closing

    41 min
  7. Navigating Nonlinear Career Paths and Ageism

    08/11/2025

    Navigating Nonlinear Career Paths and Ageism

    In this conversation, Maureen Wiley Clough shares her nonlinear career journey, emphasizing the importance of taking risks and challenging societal norms, particularly around ageism. She discusses her experiences in the tech industry, the misconceptions surrounding passion-driven careers, and the need for mentorship across generations. Maureen highlights the pervasive nature of ageism and advocates for a shift in how society views aging, stressing the value of those of all ages in the workforce.  Maureen Wiley Clough is the creator and host of It Gets Late Early, a podcast and newsletter about the experience of getting older in the youth-obsessed tech and corporate world. It Gets Late Early has been ranked in the top 20 for Apple Careers in the US, multiple episodes ranked in the US and internationally, and has been named a “top 2% podcast” according to ListenNotes.  Connect with Maureen Wiley Clough LinkedIn: Maureen W CloughWebsite: itgetslateearly.comInstagram: @itgetslateearlyFacebook: It Gets Late EarlySubscribe to It Gets Late Early: @itgetslateearly  Follow Tide Talks Spotify: Tide Talks Apple Podcasts: Tide TalksYoutube: @TideTalksByHighTideConsulting  Connect with High Tide LinkedIn: ⁠High Tide Co⁠Website: ⁠hightideco.comInstagram: ⁠@hightideconsulting_  In This Episode  00:00 Introduction to Maureen W. Clough 01:47 Navigating a Nonlinear Career Path 05:28 The Importance of Taking Risks 12:12 Advice for Younger Self 19:15 Understanding Ageism in Society 26:27 The Future of Ageism Awareness 34:17 Hope for Change and Representation 39:54 Thank You for Listening

    40 min

About

Tide Talks is a personal and professional development podcast which empowers individuals to lead successful lives and careers. CEO, Nonprofit Founder, and host of Tide Talks, Josh Nelson, is passionate about using this as a platform to empower the youth to think bigger. He sits down with real people, from all backgrounds, who tell the stories of their successes, failures, and what they wish they could tell a younger version of themselves.