The Kindness & Happiness Connection

This episode is dedicated to Dr. Mike Thomson and Tristan Roney - two men who blessed the lives of all who knew them. They both passed away the week before this was recorded.

Dr. Mike was going to be our guest. Raj Jana was kind enough to step up and step in to talk with us, even as both he and Elia Gourgouris Ph.D. were grieving Tristan's loss.

RAJ JANA - Is the CEO and founder of Stay Grounded Media, JavaPress Coffee, and several other businesses. He's a high impact investor on a mission to use capitalism and business as vehicle for doing good. He has a heart the size of TEXAS!

Because I and both Raj and Dr. Elia had been impacted by death in the same week, this episode took a different turn than expected.

We talked about death a good bit and how we can remain on FIRE (FILLED INTERNALLY WITH RESILIENT ENERGY).

If you've been impacted by the death of a loved one or friend in the last while, you won't want to miss this episode.

In just over 40 minutes we discuss:

- The importance of loving ourselves so we can more fully love others.
- How connection with others - being in the moment, helps our resilience
- How to get unstuck when we feel stuck in sadness due to loss
- How to honor those who've passed by allowing ourselves to feel a full range of emotions, both sadness and joy
- The power of living in alignment with who we are

And so, so, much more. This episode is filled with wisdom bombs throughout.

Take a listen. You'll be glad you did.

About Raj Jana

Raj Jana is an impact-driven investor, entrepreneur, and media host who’s passionate about using capitalism and business as a vehicle to make the world a brighter place.

After his mentor died of a heart attack just three months short of retirement, Raj felt compelled to step up and do something meaningful to challenge conventional ways of thinking. Inspired to break the paradigm, Raj founded the Stay Grounded Group® - a holding company that focuses on acquiring and scaling net-positive, impact-driven assets - with a mission to transform conscious capitalism into the default way of doing business.

Since launching in 2015, Raj’s first portfolio company JavaPresse®, a lifestyle brand in the coffee space, has helped over 350,000 individuals use coffee as a vehicle to achieve more daily fulfillment. Experiencing over 800% growth in the first few years through sound business and social focuses, Raj’s work has been endorsed by Daymond John of Shark Tank and featured in Forbes, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, and various other news outlets. Driven by impact, JavaPresse® is an official partner of the Make-A-Wish Foundation - Central and South Texas and has donated over $50,000 to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.

In addition to the Stay Grounded Group, Raj is also the founder of Stay Grounded Media®, a global podcast, education platform, and community focused on helping people realize and leverage the tools they already have to achieve more happiness, success, and fulfillment in daily life. This platform reaches thousands of people in 70+ countries every week and offers a blueprint that inspires people to create the extraordinary lives they want to live.  

At age 27, Raj was 2019’s youngest recipient of the Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award for his influence on local communities. He also writes about leadership, personal growth, and conscious capitalism in his own column for Inc Magazine, “Stay Grounded in Business.”

Connect with Raj

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-jana-9028a620/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/raj_jana/

Stay Grounded Media

https://www.rajjana.com/

Nicole P. Jones life motto - "Help where and when I can, because I can."

SHE LIVES UP TO IT EVERY DAY!

As a coach, mother, friend, and advisor, with over 20 years of experience in the corporate world - Nicole brings value to everyone she meets!

What an honor to have this inspiring lady join me, Randy McNeely - The Kindness Giver and Elia Gourgouris Ph.D. Be prepared to listen with pen and paper in hand as she drops a dozen or more wisdom bombs from beginning to end!

You can expect pearls of wisdom about:

- Being a mother and working from home
- how to show up in life
- how to schedule what matters vs what doesn't
- Giving yourself and others room to grow
- The importance of knowing and playing to your strengths

AND SO MUCH MORE...

Take a listen - You'll be glad you did!

About Nicole P. Jones:

Nicole  Jones is a certified executive coach committed to partnering with  leaders to help them unlock their true potential and realize their  vision. She also coaches speakers as well as conducts intensive  interview prep.

Nicole  brings over 15 years of experience in both the finance and healthcare  industries, primarily as a Head of Investor Relations and Corporate  Communications where she worked closely with the C-suite, senior  management, cross functional teams, business colleagues as well as  scientists and Wall Street. Additionally, she often engaged in problem  solving, raising potential within teams, more effective organizational  communication, employee conflict, and crisis management.

Nicole  grew up in Virginia, moved to Boston for over 20 years, and currently  lives in Alexandria, VA. She is a dedicated mom to an eight year old,  with whom she recently received her black belt in the martial art form  of Taekwondo.

Nicole’s mission is to help when and where she can because she can.

Connect with Nicole:

Website:

https://www.nicolejonescoaching.com/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-p-jones/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nicolejonescoaching/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/nicole.jonesplourde

9/11/2001. 

For many of you, just looking at that date triggers an emotional response. You remember immediately where you were, what you were doing, how you felt. That emotional experience is engraved on your mind and heart. 

You've experienced emotional relevance.

Huh? Emotional relevance - what is that?

Emotional intelligence, neuroscience and psychology working together through and experience so as to engrave that experience indelibly on your mind!

Today we have the master of emotional relevance, Alon Zaibert in the house and you won't want to miss this discussion!

LISTENING BENEFITS

• Learn about the three pillars of Emotional Relevance and how to apply them

1. Stand Out
2. Make an Impact
3. Get personal

• Learn how Emotional Relevance can help you create tighter, trustworthy relationships that lead to better personal relationships and better business
• Hear inspiring stories of Emotional Relevance in action.
• Much, much more.

ABOUT ALON

Alon Zaibert is a relationship-driven sales executive and a keynote speaker who successfully harnesses his energetic personality and interpersonal psychology skills.  Along with a track record of significant bottom-line results and  decades of management experience, Alon has earned the reputation of a  highly impactful motivational leader.

His passions for inspiring people, establishing processes, and building authentic business relationships are truly unique. Tapping into his infectious energy and positive attitude, Alon teaches his clients to find their own power.

Alon’s gift of storytelling is evident in his popular blog, “Two Weeks’ Notice  - A Touch of Emotional Relevance Every Couple of Weeks,” where he  brings to life examples of relationship building and  Emotional Relevance™.

After many years of studying American culture, Alon has learned to view the nuances of his teachings through intercultural and interpersonal  perspectives. He’s a multifaceted talent who loves engaging an audience with his singing and was once a professional basketball player overseas.

CONNECT WITH ALON

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alonzaibert/

Website:

https://www.alonzaibert.com

Blog - “Two Weeks’ Notice  - A Touch of Emotional Relevance Every Couple of Weeks”

https://www.alonzaibert.com/blog

A man with a true warrior spirit that doesn't believe in the word quit.

That describes Stephen Lutes. Do you know him? If you don't, I highly recommend you get to know him!

What's Steve's story? He's had a career in organizational training, leadership, and safety. He spends his time seeking to lift and build others. Sound's pretty ordinary - but Stephen is no ordinary man. He's a survivor!

Listen to this powerful episode in which Stephen shares his inspiring story of cancer discovery, surgery, and recovery - all the while maintaining a positive attitude.

• What is it like to have a young marriage, a newborn son and then be diagnosed with a very rare bone cancer?
• How do you keep the mental tenacity to forge forward when you've been told that your life could be over in five years or less?
• What actions do you take to stay focused on doing what you can do and not letting what you can't do be a major distraction?

Get the answers to these questions and much more!

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-lutes-83302415/ 

The saying goes that just as good things come in threes, so do bad things. How would you bounce back if you:

• Passed out, smacking your head on a counter and injuring your face and nose
• Followed by pneumonia
• Followed by a black widow spider bite

What would you do? Is it possible to bounce back from those challenges and "Become Even More Amazing?"

Our wonderful guest, Elaine Jacques is living proof that it is. 

In today's episode you'll hear Elaine's story and how she was able to bounce back.

You'll also get answers to the following questions:

Is it possible to acknowledge and celebrate the good we're doing if we aren't willing to take responsibility for our mistakes?

How can we avoid getting caught up in negative self-talk trap and instead focus on the fact that when we're making progress we're winning when we make mistakes they are opportunities to learn?

What does it mean to show up as our best self and what impact will that have on our lives?

Get the answers to all these questions and more. Take a listen. You'll be glad you did.

Want to connect with Elaine:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elainejacques/

Need a daily DOSE (Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, Endorphins) of Happiness? 

Are you working on improving your health - mental, physical, emotional, spiritual? 

Could you use a toolbox to help you get past those "Ah Dang" moments in the day when life is frustrating and you need to turn it around?

If you answered yes to any or all three of the questions above - you won't want to miss this episode with the Happiness Queen herself - Jacqueline Way!

Jacqueline is a dedicated world changer. Her purpose is to inspire and educate the hearts and minds of people to create a happy life - in a happier world. She expresses her purpose through her charitable organization 365give created and inspired by her son with a simple mission to change the world 1 give, 1 day at time.

Listen in as Jacqueline drops wisdom bombs that answer the questions above. You'll also learn about Do1Give Day coming up on April 21, 2021, the story behind it, and how you can Do1Give to bless others and experience the boomerang effect in your own life.

Want to connect with Jacqueline?  Connect Here:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-way-365give/

LinkedIn - 365 Give - https://www.linkedin.com/company/365give/

Website: https://www.365give.ca/

We've all had curveballs thrown our way in our lives. The question is, what do we do when they come?

Angel Investor and entrepreneur Aseem Giri some profound answers.

Aseem fills the following rolls with great love and compassion

• Husband
• Father
• Son
• Entrepreneur
• Art Investor
• Angel Investor
• Mentor
• Friend
• Founder of National Treasures Artists In Residence Program

All of those words are just the beginning of the words that can be used to describe Aseem and how we can all learn from him.

You won't want to miss this inspiring episode. Join us to learn how Aseem dealt with two curveballs at once - a life threatening blood disorder for his son and stage four lung cancer in his dear mother!

You'll also get great insights on the importance of assessing what matters most in life, pursuing your passion, and so much more.

Take a listen. You'll be glad you did!

Connect with Aseem Giri on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aseem-giri-9463401/

You can also learn more about National Treasures Artist in Residence Program and how you can support it here:

https://nationaltreasuresair.org/

Are you among the C-Suite Leadership and Human Resources directors/specialist scrambling to find positive ways to keep your employee's engaged? 

If so, you won't want to miss this episode of THE KINDNESS & HAPPINESS CONNECTION with our amazing guest, Kristina Vaneva. 

Kristina Vaneva has been in an employe engagement role with Atlantis Palm Resort in Dubai for the past 12 years, spending the last three as Director of Employee Engagement. She has two masters degrees, including an MBA and an MS in Positive Psychology. She is has a delightful smile and personality and really knows her stuff.

Join us to learn:

- Why Employee Engagement is at the heart of organizational well-being

- Specific behaviors and the methodologies for implementing them to drive organizational health and happiness

- Keys to creating an effective engagement strategy

- How trust, authenticity, and sincerity are key drivers in employee engagement

*** AND SO MUCH MORE ***

Take a listen! You'll be glad you did.

________________________________

Want to connect with Kristina?

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinavaneva/

Or CHECK OUT her YouTube Channel where she shares valuable insights and wisdom on Employee Engagement

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvJb4ZQuOghPaUubUs8X-3g

How can you get your own DOSE of Happiness every day? Is there a science behind it? 

Today's amazing quest, Jacqueline Way, the Founder and Executive Director of 365 Give shares the answer.

Simply start giving kindness away!

Every time you do, you'll be able to get your own happiness fix as your body releases:

DOPAMINE - Hormone associated with motivation and reward - why you feel good when you reach a goal

OXYTOCIN - Hormone sometimes called the “love” hormone associated with how people bond and trust each other

SEROTONIN - Neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood and helps regulate sleep, digestion, and bone health

ENDORPHINS - Associated with exercise and laughter - function as natural pain killers

What else does giving do for you? 

How does it affect your outlook on life?

How can simple daily actions change the world?

Get the answers to these questions and so much more in today's episode of The Kindness & Happiness Connection.

Take a listen, you'll be glad you did!

Find out more about Jacqueline Way at:

365 Give Website

https://www.365give.ca/

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-way-365give/

What happens when you get the Australian Kindness King, The Happiness Doctor, and The Kindness Giver together on one podcast? A powerful kindness and happiness conversation you won't want to miss.

What a delightful opportunity to have a truly amazing conversation with Ahmad Imam coming to us all the way from Sidney,  Australia. So many golden nuggets in this show you won't want to miss:

Is self-love narcissistic or is it necessary?

Do our minds need the exercise of self-learning as much as our bodies need exercise?

How can a few kind words of encouragement change an entire life trajectory?

Do personal core values matter?

All these questions and much more are answered in this insightful, thought- provoking episode.

Take a listen. You'll be glad you did.

You can follow Ahmad on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/theahmadimam/

No coincidences! That's the take away from an amazing conversation that I, Randy McNeely - The Kindness Giver and Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness doctor - had with the King of Smiles - Michael Ray, founder and Director of Development for Smile Project Louisville!

What is the best marinade for the mind?

How can a simple act of kindness touch and change someone's entire life trajectory?

How can a little moxie, nerve, and charm bring complete strangers together and leave them laughing and hugging?

What are the odds of running into the same homeless man in different places 3 days running - and blessing his life and in turn being blessed?

This are just a few of the amazing nuggets from this wonderful, smile-filled, heart-warming conversation with this amazing man.

Take a listen: You'll be glad you did.

Want to follow Michael? Follow him on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelray-smileproject/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smileandbethereasonsomeoneelsesmilestoday

We all understand that in business and in life, success is built on trustworthy relationships. When people know you, like you, and trust you, they are much more likely to have both personal and business dealings with you. 

What can you do to build those relationships? What tools are available? 

One of those great tools, of course, is LinkedIn, a platform built for the purpose of building successful professional relationships. How can you use it effectively? 

What do you do if you're using LinkedIn, working to build trustworthy relationships, and out of left field someone starts bullying you? Unfortunately, LinkedIn, like all social media, is not immune to bullying.  So what can. you do if you feel like you're being bullied? What recourse do you have.

Join us today to get the answers from our amazing guest, the LinkedIn Anti-Bullying Champion and one of the queens of kindness out there, Shelly Elsliger. As a LinkedIn trainer, Shelly is building an amazing network of dynamic people doing great things. She is also the creator of the #DECIDETOBEKIND campaign to expose and eliminate bullying on LinkedIn, as well as the #kindclub for people who want to promote ideas and tools that lift and build others. 

This is a great episode. Take a listen, you'll be glad you did.

Want to reach Shelly? You can find her on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selsliger/

Best selling author, acclaimed musician, speaker, coach, podcast host - huge teamwork advocate all wrapped into one amazing man - Dr Pelè Raymond joins us, Dr. Elia Gourgouris - The Happiness Doctor and Randy McNeely The Kindness Giver.  Named after one of the greatest soccer players (if not thee greatest) of all time, Dr. Pelè, who readily admits he's no soccer player, lives up to the greatness of his namesake.

You won't want to miss his story of:

👉🏾 How he got the name Pelè in the first place;
👉🏾 How he survived a bloody civil war in his home country of Nigeria as a little child;
👉🏾 How his mother's songs helped to stave off hunger and give him his first lessons in the power of music to bring happiness.
👉🏾 How he uses the powerful elements of music to build harmonious teams today
👉🏾 And so much more....

Take a listen - You'll be glad you did!

Want to reach Dr. Pelè? Go to https://www.drpele.com

🔥 PODCAST ALERT! 🔥

❤️ THE KINDNESS AND HAPPINESS CONNECTION - with Elia Gourgouris Ph.D. - The Happiness Doctor and Randy McNeely - The Kindness Giver❤️

EPISODE 29 - COURAGE TO PIVOT 

WITH - THE LADY WHO'S SMILE LIGHTS UP THE ROOM -

DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! - Nicole P. Jones

Live at 1:00 PM CST  6/13/20. Come and listen to the full audio!

How many times have you made plans for your life and then life throws you an unexpected curve ball? You're determined to be a doctor only to realize after a taking a few science and math classes that maybe that's not where you want to head.

What do you do? Even after 40 or 50, is it still possible to change? If so, what are some keys to moving forward?

Get the answers to these questions and more in today's episode!

Take a listen. You'll be glad you did!

#motivation #personaldevelopment #leadership #happiness #kindnesss #daretoembracekindness

We all know "one size fits all" just doesn't cut it when it comes to self-care, and boy do we need self-care right now!. While we all have the same basic needs as human beings, we each have our unique likes and dislikes.  We each respond differently to different methodologies and situations.

So what can we do? 

Dr. Marilyn Scott joins us today on The Kindness and Happiness Connection Podcast to share her wonderful insights to self care from meditation, to proper breathing, to aroma therapy and more. 

Dr. Marilyn is a Motivational Expert, Speaker and Feel Better Consultant. She has a flair for the Amazement in Life. Her Book, “Be Amazing! Powerful Results Are Just a Leap Away!” has been a powerhouse for those seeking a happier, more amazing life. She hosted a YouTube show called “Healthy Living with Marilyn,” which aired Thursday nights simulcasting on her Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Take a listen! You''ll be glad you did.

We're all born with an inner light. Yet over time that light can dim in many ways whether through circumstances we control or circumstances beyond our control.

How do we keep our inner light burning bright? How do we find happiness, joy, and peace? Do we have a choice? 

Kristy Stouts answer - a resounding yes we do have a choice!

Take a listen to today's episode and get some great insights, inspiration, and actionable tips that are directly applicable to anyone seeking to rekindle their inner light or keep what they've got fired up and burning brightly!

Take a listen! You'll be glad you did.

Kristy is the mother of 6 amazing children ages 9-20. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development from Brigham Young University and a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

As a learning science expert, Kristy designs educational materials using the latest and best research and technology. Her passion is teaching, especially topics and lessons that encourage us to think deeply and take action to improve our lives. 

Kristy has been an educator at a residential treatment center for youth, implemented a mentoring program at local elementary and middle schools, created a design studio curriculum for an alternative learning center, and worked in strategic partnerships for the State Educational Technology Director’s Association. 

Kristy  is presently building Stay Bright Movement, a community of spiritual, emotional, and mental health resources- sharing truths gathered by study and by faith. She is the co-host of the Stay Bright Podcast.

Are kindness and happiness in your wheelhouse? Do you need a boost to your mental health or some extra #motivation? Are you a children's book writer?

If you said yes, then you'll want to tune into this week's episode of The Kindness and Happiness Connection Podcast with one of the world's kindness queens - Wendy Gilhula!

Join myself, Randy McNeely - Kindness Giver and Elia Gourgouris Ph.D. - The Happiness Doctor as Wendy shares her journey from picture book writer, to inspiring kindness advocate, to app maker. It's all here in Episode 26 - Kindness - PIKA Style

Tune in today at 1:00 PM CST.

Take a listen, you'll be glad you did.

In today's episode of The Kindness and Happiness Connection Podcast, we had the privilege of interviewing the amazing Rachel Beck.

Rachel Beck, author of Finding Your Way When Life Changes Your Plans and international award-winning photographer, owned and ran a photography business in the Midwestern United States for eight years, before becoming a full-time writer. Looking through the lens of her camera, she developed a unique perspective for dealing with the myriad boulders life has thrown her way, and now weaves her vision into words.

Rachel’s uncommon life story began when was born an orphan in a remote village in India who was later adopted and raised by a white Jewish family in America. An eternal optimist, she holds a Bachelors of General Studies with Minors in Psychology and Gender Studies and keeps one goal in her heart: that her stories inspire and help out as many people as she can before she leaves this planet.

Join us as Rachel shares her story of graduating from the University of Adversity and provides practical insights, tips, and guidance on how you can too!

Take a listen, you'll be glad you did!