The Question Guy

Today I have the opportunity to talk with Deborah Brown, a Grief Specialist. Listen to her story as she discloses the episodes of loss in her life and how she then understood how children – especially in schools – are not given the opportunity to properly grieve the loss of a family member or loved one. Grieving, like any other emotion, should be expressed freely, if not more so. Not allowing children the opportunity to appropriately express their emotions and feelings may (will) result in anger, fear, and a host of other emotions which will be expressed in behaviors such a violence toward self or others. As a result of her experiences, Deborah Brown is writing a book – to be published in 2023!

Let’s listen to her story!

Today, I have the opportunity to chat with Willy Wood. Willy is an Educational Consultant Coach/Consultant. He gives us insights into how to start, grow, and scale an educational consultant business. Honestly, the insights given here work for any consulting business. The problem many consultants have is there starting point. You don't start just because you know how to do something (i.e., you are the SME). You start a business because you have identified a problem and crafted a solution. Let's listen, and learn!

Today’s conversation with Liz Keable brings us closer to understanding how people can support the learning process. Parents, teachers, support staff (teacher’s assistants), school administrators, and educational leaders all have a role to play in support every child’s learning path. Liz offers insights into what those roles are, the importance of each person, and how a ‘whole school’ approach in metacognitive learning is the correct path to take in providing the most effective learning environment for our children.  

What type of action(s) can we take? According to Damien, there are things that each one of us can do. Individually, our efforts may not have great impact. However, as communities, we have the advantage of numbers – and numbers create change! We need to think in term of sustainability. Damien wants us to act. His motto – ELTC. This means: Every Little Thing Counts. Even small, but intentional, actions can re-create the natural balance of resource on the planet. We must act now if we are going to make substantial change. And we must act in large numbers.  We must also separate fact from fiction. We must be able to respond to the current situation with specific change actions. Damien offers us the follow suggestions.  We are part of a global village. As individuals, we can look to some areas of our own lives to influence change:   Convert to renewable energy and reduce energy use  Replace at least some beef meals with other proteins  Curtail our fashion and consumer electronics purchases to what we genuinely need As global citizens we can use our influence by discussing and sharing with others our concerns about climate and what we do about those concerns, along with advocating for climate action policy change. You’ll be surprised how many people will join you.

Today, I am with Richard Mabe. Richard is a local community leader in the Eastern Shore area of northern Virginia. I have the opportunity to talk to him about the amazing transformation that occurred in his life – a transformation that gave him HOPE, both figuratively and literally. Let’s learn about Rick’s message of HOPE and how hope can truly change your life.

Today, I have the privilege of talking with Shekita Jackson, a Hampton Roads, Virginia, community leader. Some might call her a local hero. Having grown up in adversity, Shekita is now the proud mother of four girls, with the youngest being in high school. She will be the first to tell you that she became pregnant with her first girl when she was only 13. Having known nothing but adversity from a young age, she relied on the good will, nurturing, and aid of those outside her immediate family to care for her and provide her with the support that her own parents could not give her. As a result, she grew up personally knowing – it takes a village to raise a child. Out of this situation, she eventually founded the Care For Me Youth Initiative – a nonprofit organization focused on aiding families in need. 

Her latest program – Lunch and Literacy is focused on providing educational services for youth. Contact Shekita for more information. 

A special point of interest. Shekita is hosting an event on December 4, 2022, in Franklin, VA (part of the Hampton Roads community region). This is an emotional wellness lunch for children aged 6 and up. The event starts at 2 pm (EST) at the Franklin Workforce Development Center.

As a local Hampton Roads community leader, Shekita is going to be speaking at my Emerging Leaders Conference in January 2023. Her topic – collaboration. Shekita and I value the power of collaboration – knowing that when people come together, they bring synergy – a power greater than the individual. Shekita is going to bring that power with her to the conference.   

You need to be there to experience that power!   Mitch Gray, Brandon Ficara, Shekita Jackson, and I are bringing leadership training to the Hampton Roads community. This is the start of a longstanding collaborative effort, as we walk the path into a new leadership paradigm, in Hampton Roads and then the world!    

You can find and connect with Shekita Jackson across the Internet.

From Amazon: Let me introduce you to the secret weapon your child‛s anxiety doesn‛t want you to know about. Award winning children's book Inner Buddy takes your child on an adventure to help them deal with the negative voice in their head called, Bad Manners. They will learn how to express and explore their different feelings through a variety of fun and engaging activities.Written like a journal, the story will help young readers to feel confident, and happier in themselves.

This is a great book that helps children of all ages deal with stress and anxiety. Find a friend - get to know your Inner Buddy.

Meet Kent Sanders! This is a fist of it's kind for me. Today I have the opportunity to talk with Kent Sanders. Kent is a ghostwriter and podcast host. So, how does someone become a ghostwriter? In all my years in college, I have never seen a degree (major or minor) in ghostwriting.   

Truthfully, people who are ghostwriters don't set out to be ghostwriters. We typically stumble onto the opportunity.

Today, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch and I talk about leadership legacy! Legacy goes beyond your personal accomplishments. When considering the legacy you want to leave behind, look inside yourself.  Ask yourself, what matters more –  My money or my habits? My job or my character? My toys or my integrity? You leave an impact on people all the time. The more you interact with others, the better they know and understand your values, your morals, and your purpose. What do your words and actions tell others about you? Is this what you want to be remembered by? Think about it.  This is your legacy.

Today, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch joins me in conversation. Oh, before I continue, let’s complete the West Point Cadet Motto: “A Cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do.” Oak (by permission) and I talk leadership from the perspective of training future Army and National leaders through the Army ROTC program. 

There are 3 ways to become an Army Officer: 

1. West Point Military Academy 

2. Officer Candidate School (transition from enlisted to officer) 

3. Reserve Officer Training Corps (College ROTC) 

Colleges and Universities offer Army ROTC in 1 of 2 ways: 

1. As a minor degree in Military Science 

2. As an extra-curricular activity 

How did Oak transform a failing ROTC program into a high-performing one? 

1. Establish a culture of success and servitude  

2. Identify the mission: create leaders 

3. Establish boundaries for the program 

4. Remain consistent with the message – we are here to serve the cadre (cadets) 

Join Retired Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch and I as we go on-depth into a discussion on leadership!

Today, I have the privilege of talking with Noea Moss. Noea is a money strategist - helping people invest, save, and retire comfortably. If you need help with what to do with your money, ask Noea (think Noah, as in the Ark). She has a strategy just for you.

Today, Yannick Cruden gives us some insights into gaining wealth. Yannick is The Digital Marketing Guy.

Today, I had the pleasure of chatting with Alka Bohorun. Alka is the founder of Be Happy for Nothing, a non-profit agency with a global reach seeking to make the world a better place. Join Alka in her efforts to support underprivileged people all over the world.

Let's talk about lifestyle. Today I talk with John Stevens, a native of the United States now living in Argentina. In this episode of The Question Guy Podcast! we look at the reasons why someone - John - would decide to move across the global, re-establish a new lifestyle, and live happily after after. We should all consider how we life to bring us more joy, happiness, and satisfaction in life!

Today, Mitch Gray and Brandon Ficara join me in a conversation around organizational culture. These two leadership coaches talk to us about creating an 'achievement culture'. Better yet, we talk about high achievement culture in the workplace. What is an achievement culture? What is high achievement culture? How do you lead a team of high achievers?

I had the opportunity to chat with Vicky Bennett (Jane Bell), a teacher's teacher. With the world of public education collapsing around us, Vicky has stepped up and created a platform to help, guide, and instruct educators in the UK how to be more effective in the classroom by managing their professional time appropriately. 

Listen as Vicky provides insight into improving time management skills for teachers. Sign up for her online courses! Improve your teaching strategy.

I wanted to have this conversation with Michael Script since our last conversation. Today, we talk about legacy – how do we define it, what it means to pass it on, and how to we live up to the responsibility of carrying on someone’s else’s legacy? 

Few of us have mentors that truly impact how we think, move, and exist. Michael Script is one of those few who were greatly impacted by the life, words, and actions of someone else. 

Listen as Michael talks about the mentors in his life, and how one mentor in particular left a lasting legacy for him to carry on.

Recruiters are the impact players of our time. They sit juxtaposed between the candidate and the client company. They help people find the right fit into a new job or career. Meet Kim Slaughter. Today, Kim talks about how she is able to help people do just that - find the role that is right for them. 

The right job 

The right culture 

The right company 

If you are looking for your next career move in security, you and Kim need to have a conversation.

Today, Dr. Troy Hall chats with me about a book that touched my heart and has inspired me in so many ways. The book - Fanny Rules: A Mother's Leadership Lessons That Never Grow Old - is a powerful testimony of how to raise the next generation (and all next generations) to be virtuous, effective, and disciplined leaders.   

"Fanny" is Dr. Hall's mother. Not her birth name, but it is her given name - it is the name that people know her by. Listen as Dr. Hall tells us of the time when his mother was diagnosed with cancer, and how that changed everyone's world - for the better.

Are You Ready To Interview?

Listen as Mitch Gray and I talk about the job interview. Interviewing for a job is stressful. But you can take the anxiety out of the process if you know how to tell your story. Mitch Gray and I have lots of stories. Listen as well tell them to better understand how we can help you position yourself better in the job interview process!

The Question Guy is now offering weekly coaching sessions for those who need help with the job interview! These sessions are free, but you must contact me via LinkedIn to sign up. 

Weekly Coaching: Thursdays

Time: 5 pm EST

The power in the job interview is knowing your story and how to communicate that story to others. To get better at this you need to be prepared. 

My coaching sessions give you the power to:

Know the types of questions that will be asked.

Practice answering those questions in front of others (much like a real interview sessions).

Get feedback from me and the members of the group.

Align your resume with your story – and your ability to tell your story effectively.

Find me on LinkedIn: Keith J. McNally | LinkedIn

I love the stories leaders tell - leaders tell great stories. And Coach Jim Johnson is no exception. In fact, Coach Johnson gets personal as he tells of a time when he was fired from a coaching job as a young man. 

Coach Johnson is now the second person I know who was fired from a job they loved. Mitch Gray, where are you.

Listen to lessons learned as Coach Johnson tells his story.

I am here with Dr. Joe (Dr. Joe Perez). Today we venture into his world of data science – and helping people understand the value of proper decision-making through data by way of storytelling. Dr. Joe brings excitement – and candy (except when limited by the virtual stage) – to the table when talking to his audience. I love his energy and passion for teaching.  Listen as we talk story for the stage and for the audience.

Welcome to Season 2 of The Question Guy Podcast! I open the new season with a conversation around leadership. 

Mitch Gray and I talk about: 

1. How leadership should be defined. 

2. How leaders make real impact. 

3. What should we consider in the conversation around leadership.   

If a boy or girl of 5 years old shares their sandwich with a friend because the friend does not have a lunch, is that young person a leader? Let's scale that up. If a community exists in a food desert because they lack sufficient resources, and someone comes in with the resources and fixes the problem, is that person a leader?     

What's the difference in those two stories?

Dr. Ayo Olufade is on a mission to bring equity to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education and STEM careers. Listen to his powerful testimony and join in this grassroots effort! 

Dr. Poh Tan is a scientist and science educator. She brings fun, excitement, and story to science education for both the teacher and student. She is also a TEDx speaker on multiple occasions. Listen as she talks about bring science to life for young learners (but really, everyone!). 

You can find Dr. Poh Tan here: https://www.pohtanphd.ca/

And here: https://www.stemedgeacademy.com/

Today, I have the honor of sharing a personal story. Ryan Harland has a message for the world. If you have a mental illness, you can overcome it! The healing process will not be easy, but it’s doable. In this episode of The Question Guy Podcast!, Ryan talks about some of the personal challenges he faced throughout his life and the journey he has taken to overcome trauma and share the good news of healing. 

He wrote his story and published the book: Riding The Storm: A Memoir of Mental Illness.

You can buy his book here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfuvcm2

Dori is a certified drum therapist with a special story. Run over by a boy on a bicycle, she experienced years of pain and problems. Eventually she was scheduled for three back surgeries to address some significant medical problems, but Dori was so down and out, she wanted to give it all up. But, through divine intervention, she used her own drums – drum therapy – to heal herself. Per her own story, she was healed in two weeks. 

From her own website . . . 

Dori is a mentor, author, inspirational speaker, drum healer, owner of Next Stage Drumming, and the only certified drum therapist in North Carolina.

She’s been fascinated by and addicted to rhythm since she was a kid. She tapped on everything. she heard beats in her head all the time! She still does! Finally, at age 47, she auditioned for a church band on percussion (bongos, congas, shakers, tambourine, chimes, etc.).

It was then that she discovered that hand drumming helped beat stress and ADHD issues and improved productivity. She Googled drum therapy and discovered it’s backed by science and loads of medical research. Thirteen years ago, she became a Certified Drum Therapist with Drums and Disabilities and later trained with Health Rhythms. After her accident in 2011, she discovered first-hand that therapeutic drumming is a very powerful tool. Thanks to drumming and Divine Intervention, she was completely healed in just two weeks!

Recently, on The Question Guy Podcast!, I learned how humor can be used appropriately in the workplace. 

Can leaders use humor in the workplace?

I’m not a funny guy by nature. I have repeated this truth over and over. I don’t have a ‘sense of humor’. Maybe I’m wrong. Based on recent conversations, maybe I am wrong. Let’s find out.

According to Brandon Ficara, there are appropriate and inappropriate ways of using humor in the workplace.

Tell me, when can humor be used at work? People are looking to leaders to set the tone for the workplace. This can be considered culture, but maybe there is more to it than that. Leaders set the tone on social interactions at work. And this is critical. A positive and appropriate tone empowers, engages, and makes people more productive.  

So, when should it not be used? Humor should not be used when it is intended to hurt, humiliate, or insult someone – don’t do it. 

I’m more curious than ever. What else is there to know? Let’s find out!

How Should We Network?

Developing professional relationships that last can seem like a daunting activity for the busy professional. As kids, creating friendships was easier. We would smile and say hello, then go off and play a game or something. As adults, that seems a bit awkward. Plus, we may have children of our own, significant others, and jobs that all require our attention.

So, how do we network?

Alex talks about the 4-Cs of networking . . . 

Mindset Change

Inner Clarity

External Clarity 

Behavioral Change

Learn more!

Alex Ermenkov is on a mission. Actually, he’s on a two-fold mission. 

1. By 2030, reach $1 Billion in assets 

2. Pay it forward and teach you to do the same  

I had the pleasure of talking with Alex about his program, his impact, and his passion to generate a limitless reality. Listen in and become part of the experience!

Today I talk with Craig Randall, author of Trust-Based Observations. Before I talk about the conversation, I will share one the praises for the book.  

“Trust-Based Observation is an overdue rethink of how to support the most important asset in school and in the lives of students: their teachers. This book honors the art and science of teaching and the complexity of creating learning environments where all students can find success and challenge.” – Glenn Whitman, director of the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning and author of Neuroteach: Brain Science and the Future of Education.  

Craig and I tall about how to approach teacher observations from the perspective of support and trust.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Based-Observations-Maximizing-Teaching-Learning/dp/1475853556

Today, I had the privilege of talking with Dr. Troy Hall, author of Cohesion Culture. I was so intrigued with the book’s cover that I focused on the three things that I saw: Cohesion, Culture, and Paper Airplanes. Dr. Hall expanded on all three! 

Dr. Hall breaks down Cohesion Culture into three sections: Leadership, Culture, and Bringing these things to life within your organization.  

Let’s find out the secret to Dr. Hall’s mastery of Cohesion Culture. In this conversation, we will explore the fundamental aspects of successful organizations. Successful organizations do the following. 

1. Establish a sense of belonging among the employees (that you are connected) 

2. Establish a sense of value (that you have meaning and purpose in the organization) 

3. Establish a sense of shared mutual commitment (in the organization)

What is metacognition? 

What is learning? 

What’s the difference? 

How do children learn? 

How can we motivate children to be better learners? 

The Question Guy asks the serious questions – and Liz provides some serious insight with her answers. Liz helps children learn. Today, she talks about her Learner Success Pathway. She understands how to help children learn, and how to guide educators to become better educators through the use of her learning model – hint, the word metacognition is never mentioned. Listen all the way through for a powerful and heart-warming success story! 

“Thoughts are enormously powerful,” – Liz Keable

Are you trying to get on the TEDx stage? 

Not quite sure how to do it? 

Or have you tried but failed (over and over)? 

Or do you lack the confidence for the stage? 

Don’t have the right topic? 

Or your topic puts people to sleep?  

“I’m often wrong, but I’m never in doubt.” - Frank King  

How is that for confidence?  

I had a great conversation with Frank King, mutli-TEDx speaker and TEDx coach. In a former life, Frank was a standup comic. He knows the stage. And he wants to put you on it!  And if you are ready to invest the time, Frank has a deal for you. Mention you heard him on The Question Guy Podcast, and he will work with you for $4,000.00 ($400 down and $300/12 months). His normal fee is $6,000 – that goes up to $10,000 come July 4th.   This gets even better – he is so dedicated to your success that he will work with you or die trying (that’s an inside joke – you have to watch the video to get it).   With a $4,000 fee, he is willing to invest in your success with that last $2,000 ($6k - $4k = $2k). A handshake gets you that last $2k, with the agreement that you pay it back with your first $5,000 keynote.   

This sounds too good to be true – so listen to Frank King and I talk about how you can be a success on the TEDx stage.

Michael Griffin, joins me all the way from Australia! For this, I am thankful. I invited Michael to join me in conversation because he has a unique perspective on learning through metacognitive practices. 

As a speaker and educator, Michael has addressed groups of staff, students, parents and corporate audiences in more than 600 settings in 30 countries, including Keynote or Consultant Speaker at numerous global education events including AMIS (Dubai) ECIS (Hamburg and Nice), AISA (South Africa), ESF (Hong Kong), IEC (Brunei), APEP (Thailand), BSME (Dubai and Oman), QMA (Doha), Association Genevoise des Ecoles Privées (Switzerland), Maryborough Music Conference (QLD), British Suzuki (UK) and Suzuki Australia, to list a few. 

Michael also consults for the government of Kazakhstan through Cambridge University Press.

Learn about how Michael uses meta-cognitive practices in the classroom.

You can find Michael here: https://professional-development.com.au/

And here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-g...

The courses can be accessed here: https://courses.professional-developm...

Also, my book Metacognition: Teaching Children to Think is available via Amazon.com

Do you want better control over your time?

Are you ready to make an investment in your future?

Is the job/career/life balance not so balanced?

Have thought about becoming an entrepreneur? 

Does the idea of being an entrepreneur both entice and scare you?

You are not alone. The decision to become an entrepreneur is a difficult one, and should not be entered into without thought, planning, and conversation. Have that conversation with Jerry Callistein. He can guide you in the right direction be asking the important questions.

From Jerry:

If you believe you are capable of being more than you are. that your career no longer fits you, or if you're just tired of the corporate world, then we should talk.

I offer a no-cost, no-obligation program to help you gain perspective on your career and then explore new paths to reach your personal, professional, and financial goals.

Would you be interested in learning more?

Schedule a call: https://jcallistein-tes.youcanbook.me/

Send me an email: mailto:jcallistein@esourcecoach.com

Visit my website https://jcallistein.esourcecoach.com

How to Hire and Keep Great People Chapter 4: The Real Reason People Work 

This is a Q& A as we review Mitch Gray's book one chapter at a time.

Today, we focus on.

1. Before reading this book, what was your perception about why people work? 

2. How is ‘How to Hire and Keep Great People’ reshaping your perspective of why people work? 

3. What action can you take to give your team members a feeling of greater purpose each day?

You can watch the conversation here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwV22zg5bwQ

Today, Tina B (Bakehouse) joins my in conversation about story telling! Listen to how Tina B talks about the value of engaging with your audience (and audience of 1 or 1,000 – it does not matter).  She answers the critical questions such as: 

1. Why is story so important? 

2. How can I get better at story telling? 

3. What type of story should I tell? 

Further, Tina B talks about being in the audience when Alan Alda (yes, from MASH) was the keynote! Listen to how she is able to talk about her experience as a member of the audience. As she tells the story, feel yourself being pulled into the story! 

A good story has three components: 

1. High stakes 

2. Conflict 

3. Transformation

The Book! Mitch and I wrote a book! Several months back I pitched an idea to Mitch – let me write a training manual based on your book, How to Hire and Keep Great People. However, instead of a training manual, I wrote a book – well, we wrote a book together. 

Get some keen insight into the new book, leadership paradigm shift, and how to hire and keep great people!

Mitch Gray tells us there is an Easy Button to finding and hiring great people. 

Find Mitch here: https://www.mitchgraymedia.com/

The Question Guy Podcast! with Guest Anna Felix

My guest today is Anna Felix. My LinkedIn Live show had technical problems, but I recorded the conversation! Listen to Anna’s story, how she turned pain into passion, and how she helps people have real, heart-to-heart conversations about money. 

Here are a few things that Anna can help you with:

LIFE INSURANCE that you don't have to die to use

TAX FREE Retirement

STRATEGIES with ZERO risk

PRIVATE RESERVE ACCOUNT- the ability to be your own bank

ANNUITIES

LAND BANKING- Land is the oldest form of investment and there is a limited supply. I help you buy land before it's needed in the path of projected growth. You hold it for 7-10 years and when you sell it, because the land is now in demand, you get top dollar. You can participate for as little as $40K and use existing investments such as a 401K.

The teaser I forgot to mention is that January 1, 2026 our taxes will be increasing, if Congress does nothing to change it. If someone would like to do Roth Conversions, they have 4 years to get it done before their tax rates increase. If growing money tax free is of interest, now is the time to start.

Chapter 3: Standing Desks and Bouncing Balls (Why culture matters) 

1. When you began your organization, or the position you hold currently, how much time did you spend designing your culture? 

2. What does ‘measurable success’ look like for each team member on a daily basis? 

3. What is your plan of action for teaching the idea of measurable success to your team? 

4. How do you set each day up for measurable success with each team member?