#SHOWUP2020 with John Neral

What’s been your biggest lesson learned from 2020? Whether you’ve been furloughed, laid-off, or gainfully employed, this year has taught you many things. In this episode, I’m sharing a few thoughts to close out 2020 and what’s next for 2021, including my new podcast, “Your Mid-Career GPS.” My heartfelt thanks to all of my guests for spending some time with me and sharing their incredible stories. You’ve made this podcast what it is, and I appreciate you. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral.

I met AliceAnne Loftus during coach training at iPEC and immediately appreciated her energy and drive. She’s a successful business owner and entrepreneur who helps women lean in to their authenticity and unlock the leader they were born to be. How will you take the lessons learned from this year and give yourself the space and grace to SHOW UP right now and in 2021? Join me as I get on the mic with AliceAnne to discuss: * What 2020 has taught her * How resilience and positivity help her lead unapologetically and authentically * How she and her family have adjusted this year * What it means to be a Leading Lady and celebrate others * What it means to be unapologetically authentic * Why it was important to her to build a community of leading ladies and help them SHOW UP in their businesses and communities You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral. You can connect with AliceAnne by visiting her website www.leadinglady-coaching.com, as well as on social. You can follow her on Instagram @leading_lady_coach and join her Facebook Group @LeadingLadiesAAL.

I asked my editor, Rich Lucey, to be a guest on my podcast because after all that 2020 has given us, many people are considering writing a book, and you will need an editor. As an editor, Rich didn’t just catch the grammatical mistakes. He read my book for content and clarity as well. With twenty five-star reviews on Amazon, I would say we did a good job. Join me as I get on the mic with Rich to discuss: * How his gift of editing is both a talent and a curse * Why every writer needs an editor * The value of proofreading in your career * Why building an editing business is a great addition to his full-time job * What 2020 has taught him about showing up You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral. Connect with Rich by emailing him at captredpen@gmail.com and by visiting his website – https://captredpen.wordpress.com.

Recently, my friend and coach bestie, Natalie Siston, became a #1 Best Selling Author on Amazon with her new book, “Let Her Out.” I invited her on the podcast because what Natalie has accomplished this year is a tremendous inspiration for showing up in 2020. Earlier this year, Natalie asked herself, “Who quits their job in the middle of a global pandemic?” She answered, “Someone whose dreams are bigger than her fears.” Join me as I get on the mic with Natalie to discuss: * How her career continues to evolve and what it meant for her to be professionally “Free by 40” * The secrets that lie in our journals and diaries and why we need to “Let Her Out” * What Natalie learned about herself from speaking at a 4H event when she was growing up * Her reasons and inspiration for writing her book * What it means to her to “SHOW UP” and “Let Her Out” You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. Plus, you can follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral. You can connect with Natalie on social and through her websites: https://letherout.com  https://smalltownleadership.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliesiston/ https://www.facebook.com/natalie.siston https://www.instagram.com/nataliesiston/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvzFqQhW2S6-JCczQEr0ovg

If you think you can’t find a job this late in the year, let alone in this pandemic, you are wrong. Remember that your thoughts create feelings, which then create actions that produce results. How are your thoughts helping or hurting you in your job search process? John gets on the mic with Project Manager, Clare Simmons. Clare was a member of John’s #SHOWUPChallenge, and for the past three months, she has been working hard on her job search, interviewing, and negotiating process. She not only received one job offer, she had two. After months of crickets not hearing anything, Clare got to choose which job she wanted. In this episode, we talk about: * Why Clare decided to look for a new job during a pandemic * How Clare stayed resilient during her job search * One valuable lesson she learned during her interviews * How the #SHOWUPChallenge helped her competently and confidently share her value and worth in multiple interviews * How the #SHOWUPChallenge helped her create her next advancement opportunity You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. Plus, you can follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral. You can connect with Clare on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-simmons-a8004311/.

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, it’s understandable we may not be feeling as grateful as we have in previous years. It’s been challenging to SHOW UP this year, and I believe it’s important to acknowledge our frustrations and disappointments. Perhaps you are feeling a little guilty about not feeling as grateful as you “should” be. I’m here to tell you – that’s okay. However, if you are looking for ways to be a little more grateful in 2020 or looking for some new ideas, join me on this podcast as I share five ideas to help you increase your gratitude and SHOW UP more authentically in 2020 In this podcast, I’ll share with you: 1. Why starting a gratitude practice is essential in 2020 2. How to take time to be grateful for the little things 3. Why it’s important to acknowledge the heartache and pain of 2020 4. The power of volunteering or donating 5. Ways to share your gratitude with others You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral.

As a huge game show fan, watching Jeopardy! each night is appointment television in my house. And while Alex Trebek is not the original host of Jeopardy!, he certainly left an indelible mark on the show and its legacy. As 2020 claims another life, I wanted to share a few thoughts about what Alex Trebek has taught me about managing your professional brand, what it means to #SHOWUP even in your darkest hours, and what made Alex Trebek one of the best game show hosts of all time. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral.

2020 has given us a lot of stories and it’s making us wonder what’s next for our careers and our lives. Perhaps, you’ve considered writing a book but aren’t sure how to start or even questioned if it is good enough? Does this sound like you? What story is sitting inside of you waiting to get out of your brain and on to the page? John gets on the mic with “The Book Doula” – Andrea Seydel. They discuss a process for getting your book written and why it’s not doing you or anyone else any good sitting unwritten and unshared. You can contact John with your career story & more at: www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. Plus, you can follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, connect with him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral and follow him on Twitter @john_neral. Visit Andrea’s website https://andreaseydel.com. Also, follow her on Instagram @livelifehappy_as and join her Facebook Group - @LiveLifeHappyCommunity.

Your game-changing moment is when you know, without question, that your life changed because of that event. In 2020, perhaps you’ve had that game-changing moment or two where your life and career have dramatically shifted because of it. John gets on the mic with High-Performance Coach Susan Kovacs to discuss: * Why our beliefs shape who we are and what we can do * How the pandemic has impacted our beliefs and businesses * How our entrepreneurial desire to be, do or have drive our actions to create our results * An entrepreneur’s “Money Thermostat” * Why a belief in “sucking at sales” holds us back from showing up as impactful entrepreneurs * How a “Learner’s Mindset” drives our curiosity in our careers and business * How to stop our six-year-old selves from running our lives You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  For more information, you can email Susan Kovacs at susan@theachievementedge.com, connect with her on LinkedIn @SusanKovacs and Instagram @susanlkovacs. And visit her website: https://theachievementedge.com.

According to Christianna Silva for NPR, 1 in 4 households have experienced food insecurity this year. While the daily news reports focus on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, we can't forget how COVID has wreaked havoc between the loss of jobs and the fear of not having enough food on the table. And for our family and friends who work in the foodservice industry, this year has been incredibly difficult for them. John gets on the mic with Chef Jaycee, a DC-area chef, to discuss: * His journey to becoming a chef * How the shutdown has impacted his corporate chef job and his business * Working alongside Chef Jose Andres and World Central Kitchen * Addressing America's food insecurity You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Follow Chef Jaycee on Instagram @Chefjaycee, on Facebook @Cherjayceellc, and visit his website https://chefjaycee.com for more information about his services and recipes.

Teachers go above and beyond in normal years, but in 2020, there are many examples of teachers and teacher leaders who are showing up in extraordinary ways for their students and communities. This is just something great teachers do. They care. They serve. And, they are focused on making a difference by how they #SHOWUP. John gets on the mic with teacher specialists Sarah Congable and Donna McConnell from the Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, VA to discuss: * The lessons learned from supporting teachers in 2020 * Being flexible and resilient while teaching and learning in unpredictable moments * How to make literacy more engaging for your kids at home * Why administrators can’t be forgotten or underappreciated * Why “Finding Your People” is one of the best ways to support and gain support in 2020 You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Connect with Sarah Congable on Twitter @MrsCongableAPS and by email at sarah.congable@apsva.us. Connect with Donna McConnell on Twitter @ddkmcconnell or by email at donna.mcconnell@apsva.us.

Now that we are a few months into the school year, our nation continues to struggle with how to safely have students and staff return to school and find some semblance of normalcy amid this pandemic. Continuing my conversation about reopening and returning to school safely, we explore the idea of contact tracing and how that can help communities, schools, and businesses find viable solutions to safely reopen. Cheryl Galloway has more than ten years of experience in school administration focusing on the core areas of school safety, crisis response, community and government relations, facilities use and sustainability. She served as Emergency Operations Center Director and Safety and Security Coordinator for the Gilroy Unified School District (GUSD) where she created and trained all staff on the district’s comprehensive school safety plan and coordinated multiple active shooter and disaster drills involving the district’s public safety partners. As coordinator of GUSD’s facility use program, Cheryl streamlined community use—successfully curbing abuse, updating facility use policies and increasing revenue. Today, Cheryl is the Director of Education and Community Engagement for Facilitron, a data-driven facility management platform that streamlines facility scheduling and rental requests for schools, colleges, and cities, enabling insight into real-time cost and utilization data. Cheryl and John get on the mic to discuss: * How the Sandy Hook and Garlic Festival school shooting impacted her life and career * The meaning of “Run - Hide - Defend” * Ensuring safety after a school shooting and a pandemic * How she shows up each day to help communities safely reopen their schools * How Facilitron shows up to help communities focus on viable solutions for 2020 and beyond You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Connect with Cheryl Galloway on LinkedIn @CherylGalloway or email her at cgalloway@Facilitron.com. You can follow Facilitron on Instagram @Facilitron or visit their website https://facilitron.com for more information about their services.

This episode directly connects with my previous conversation with Rhonda Sher. Given the great feedback and a few questions, I turn on the mic to share with you ten tips to help you #SHOWUP more energetically on LinkedIn to connect with other professionals and grow your networking intentionally. In this episode you’ll learn: * How to create your banner easily in Canva (www.canva.com or use the Canva app) * The one thing you accomplishments must emphasize in your Experience section * How to get and give more endorsements * How to get five recommendations in five days * Creating a search strategy * The difference between first, second, and third level connections * How to build your network intentionally * Creating posts that are valuable and engaging * What is “Easy Apply” and why you should use it when applying for jobs * Refining and defining your job search strategy You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  To listen to the previous episode featuring my conversation with Your Connection Consultant, Rhonda Sher, visit https://anchor.fm/showup2020/episodes/SHOW-UP-on-LinkedIn-ekkjra. Connect with Rhonda Sher on LinkedIn @RhondaSher and visit her website https://www.rhondasher.com/ to download your free LInkedIn planner.

With a record number of people unemployed, LinkedIn is THE place to connect with fellow professionals, network, and apply for jobs. But LinkedIn can be intimidating for some and in today’s episode, we are going to answer your questions and take some of the overwhelm away to help you navigate and #SHOWUP more authentically, genuinely and energetically on LinkedIn. Rhonda Sher is known as Your Connection Consultant and has helped thousands of people use LinkedIn to get more business, but more importantly, show them and you too, how to use LinkedIn to show up with more value and impact to grow your business and advance your career. Rhonda and John get on the mic to answer such questions as: * Do I accept connection requests from everyone? * What should my “about” section say about me? * How can I use LinkedIn to get more leads for my business or get potential employers to notice me differently? * How do I get recommendations? * What do I post? * How often should I post? * How do I build a connection with someone when I don’t even know them and I’m not very good at networking? * And many more You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Connect with Rhonda Sher on LinkedIn @RhondaSher and visit her website https://www.rhondasher.com/ to download your free LInkedIn planner.

So many professionals look good on paper, but inside, they are miserable – feeling unfulfilled, unsatisfied, and unhappy about what they are doing and who they are as a professional. They know they are capable of more. Have you ever felt unfulfilled or unhappy in your career? John gets on the mic with Career Discovery Coach, Travis Robinson. They talk about why being unfulfilled in your career brings you to a place where you choose to take action and improve your overall job and career satisfaction. You can contact John with your career story & more at: www.johnneral.com/contact or email at: john@johnneral.com. Plus, you can follow him on Facebook & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, LinkedIn @JohnNeral or Twitter @john_neral. Follow Travis’s podcast, “The Everyday Worker” and follow him on Instagram @the.everydayworker. Plus, you can connect with Travis on LinkedIn @TravisRobinson. Also, check out his website, https://everydayworker.com.

Leaders are called to serve their teams and organizations. But leading authentically and with vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of connection, competence, and confidence. Whether you are an emerging leader or have been in a leadership role for some time, this podcast episode will open your mind and your heart to leading more authentically and creating better business relationships. Jessi Shuraleff is the the Head of Industry at Google. She is a recognized sales leader who shows up each day authentically to make the impact she wants. Jessi is also the founder and host of the “This Is My Truth” podcast. Jessi and John get on the mic to discuss: * The meaning of leading authentically and vulnerably * How to actively listen and hold space for your team members * Why Jessi doesn’t believe in work-life balance * What she and her husband have learned from their infertility journey and how that allows her to stand in her truth * The power of writing You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Follow Jessi on Instagram @ThisIsMyTruthPodcast and contact her via her website at https://jessishuraleff.com.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court said the language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits sex discrimination, applied to discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, thus protecting the employment rights of all LGBTQ+ professionals. Like many LGBTQ+ professionals, I too had my job threatened because I am gay. It’s a horrible feeling and one which I hope no one ever experiences again. Melissa DaSilva is a licensed and independent clinical social worker, therapist, author, and founder of East Coast Mental Wellness in Providence, RI, where LGTBQ+ professionals find safe and specialized therapeutic services. Melissa and John get on the mic to discuss: • This landmark Supreme Court ruling and what it means for LGBTQ+ professionals and companies to protect the rights of every employee regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity • Awareness and support for transgender individuals in the workplace • Why using pronouns is essential to providing safe spaces for everyone • What does “non-binary” mean • Doing your homework to best support LGBTQ+ employees You can contact John with your career story & more at https://johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram and Facebook @johnneralcoaching. Follow Melissa on Instagram @realmelissadasilva and contact her via her website: https://melissadasilva.com. Also, check out Melissa’s Podcasts: Pride Connections, Chit Chat with a Therapist, and Chit Chat with a Queer Coach.

The entertainment industry has experienced one of the biggest hits due to COVID-19. As an avid theatre lover, there is something magical about live performances. Our actors, dancers, musicians, and everyone working behind the scenes have experienced losing their jobs and not being able to do what they love.  
 But when you love what you do, you find ways to be resourceful. Until the situation gets better, you find ways to make it better.  
 John gets on the mic with renowned choreographer, talent scout, and entertainer, Stacy J. Stacy J.’s credits include “A Chorus Line,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” and was a performer at the Disney MGM Studios. Her most recent film acting credits include: “The Hangover 3,” “Basher,” and “The Chinaman.” She is the original Creator of “5th Element” Hip Hop Crew, was Co-Director/Owner of FIERCE; the Ultimate Dance Convention, as well as owner of “The Secret Tap Society” and “Stacy J Dancing.” 
 Earlier this year, when Stacy J was told to close her studio, and there were no more jobs due to COVID-19, Stacy J took some time to figure out the next steps. She was resourceful and found ways to teach people and connect with them through dancing.  
 John talks with Stacy J about her career, what’s next for her studio, as well as talk about how COVID-19 has impacted the arts, the entertainment industry, and what’s next for 2020 and beyond.  
 You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  
 Check out Stacy J’s website at https://stacyjdancing.com and follow Stacy J on Facebook and Instagram @StacyJDancing.

Our careers have experienced some “setback” in 2020. Perhaps you have been furloughed or laid-off. Maybe you are still gainfully employed, but work is very different and possibly, even more stressful. There are moments like these in 2020, where we are called to #SHOWUP and make the most of our situations. It’s where we learn to be resilient and tenacious. John gets on the mic with professional bowler and TEAM USA member, Liz Kuhlkin. In 2018, Liz achieved a major milestone winning the U.S. Women’s Open — one of four majors on the Professional Women’s Bowling Association’s Tour. And as her career progressed, 2020 was set to be a great year. And just like all of us, COVID-19 put a stop to so many things. For Liz Kuhlkin, the PWBA Tour was canceled, bowling centers in New York were closed for months, and she couldn’t do what she loved. Thankfully, Liz had a job working as a produce clerk at a local grocery store, and 2020 meant it was time to double down on those hours as a front-line worker. John talks with Liz about how she worked on her game when bowling centers were closed, what’s next for her professional bowling career, the upcoming PBA League and bowling with the Miami Waves, and working as a front-line worker. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Contact Liz Kuhlkin on her Facebook Fan Page - Liz Kuhlkin - PWBA, follow her on Twitter @liz_kuhlkin24, and Instagram @lizkbeth. Check out Liz’s player profile at https://pwba.com/Players/Player-Profile?PlayerID=46 Check out Liz’s Team USA player profile at https://www.bowl.com/Team_USA/Members/Liz_Kuhlkin/

In the next few weeks, every school district will be welcoming students to begin the school year. While some have started already, we have seen some campuses reverse course and some school districts see an uptick in COVID cases, having some students and staff quarantine. I share some thoughts and reflections on what returning to campus and reopening schools looks like for the fall, as well as summarizing my conversations with four fantastic guests - J. Renee Gordon, Ismael “Ish” Zamora, Dr. Aviva Legett, and Ryan Miller. Know that there were several people whom I invited to be on the podcast that gracefully and respectfully declined for various reasons. Whether they were not allowed by their districts to speak about this issue or they didn’t want to for fear of their jobs, their input and perspectives have added greatly to this conversation. How do we find the balance between remote learning and working parents? How can businesses #SHOWUP and provide greater support to their employees who need greater flexibility during this time? How will school districts reopen as this year comes to a close and 2021 begins? Do we see another year of virtual graduations and more remote learning? What about school programs that address food insecurities and after care programs? There are too many questions left unanswered. The goal must be to get everyone back to school safely. We don’t have that plan without a vaccine. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. 

Our career paths are defined by those moments when we welcome a new opportunity and great things happen. When we know our value and how best we can serve, we #SHOWUP in ways that create fantastic opportunities. As schools reopen virtually or in-person, the strength of our teaching community is vital their success. While 2020 continues to present challenges for reopening our schools safely, there are teachers making a notable difference. John gets on the mic with science teacher, meteorologist, and the host of WLJA’s Outside The Classroom, Ryan Miller. They talk about how Ryan got the idea for Outside the Classroom along with his passion for teaching. Plus, they talk about how one email greatly impacted his career. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.  Connect with Ryan Miller on Instagram @miller_weather, on Twitter @RyanMiller_WX, and on Facebook @OutsideTheClassroom. You can email Ryan at remiller@sbgtv.com. You can watch Outside the Classroom on NewsChannel 8 in the DMV area and you can catch episodes of Outside the Classroom anywhere by downloading the STIRR app.

2020 is the year where you can land your dream job. While situations and circumstances have changed about how we network, connect, and interview, your hopes for that new job aren’t shattered. Many people have landed their dream jobs during a pandemic. As an executive and career transition coach, John coaches his clients to tell their career story. He says that you must find a way to build a relationship with the organization and the hiring manager and #SHOWUP authentically from a place of VALUE and SERVICE. John gets on the mic with the new Director of the Newark Public Library, Joslyn Bowling Dixon. They talk about her process and mindset as she refused to put her goals on hold and went after a fantastic new opportunity to level-up her career and serve more people. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral, Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. Connect with Joslyn Bowling Dixon on Instagram @justjos41 and visit the Newark Public Library’s website at https://npl.org.

Continuing my series on “Reopening Schools,” August is that time of year when college students are returning to campus and freshmen are nervous and ready to start their next chapter. However, it’s 2020 and things look a bit different. The usual excitement is now compounded with questions about whether students are returning to campus or their homes to begin this semester. . . Colleges and universities are making the difficult decision to begin this semester in-person or virtually. College students are not going to get the same experience. And, as always, we must bring back students and teachers, safely. . . John gets on the mic with Dr. Aviva Legatt. They talk about what college looks like this year, how the admissions process has changed because of COVID, and explore the benefits of taking a gap year. . . You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral, Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. .
. Connect with Dr. Aviva Legatt through her website: www.ivyinsight.com, email - info@ivyinsight.com, and on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook - @avivalegatt

Continuing my series on “Reopening Our Schools,” the national debate continues. While some districts have adopted a virtual return, there are some school districts, particularly in Georgia, where they see spikes in Coronavirus cases among students and staff. Still, Chicago Public Schools recently reversed course and are now beginning their school year, entirely online.  
 Students need teachers, and we all have a favorite teacher who has left an indelible mark on our educational experience. Who was your favorite teacher? What do you remember most about her or him?  
 John gets on the mic with Ismael “Ish” Zamora to talk about his educational career, his passion for teaching and teacher leadership, and what it was like when he got word that he, along with his students, were moving to a virtual format. We also talk about what a return to school looks like for him and his staff this fall.  You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com.  You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral, Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching.
 Connect with Ish Zamora at ishmath@aol.com.

Our country is in a national debate about whether or not to send kids back to the school building this fall. And while some districts have made their decisions, there must be teachers to teach those students. Before COVID-19, we were facing a national teacher shortage. As a result of COVID-19, the gap may widen dramatically. Nevertheless, for students and workers, the continuing question is “How do we return safely?” What has your district decided about a return to school this fall? Are students going back to in-person instruction, virtual instruction, or a hybrid model? John gets on the mic with J. Renee Gordon, the founder of E Squared - Effective Educators to kick off this special series about what it means to #SHOWUP for our teachers, students, administrators, support personnel and communities. They talk about J’s research on America’s teacher shortage, how COVID-19 is impacting our teacher workforce, and what we can do to engage our school districts, school leaders, and communities differently about the teacher shortage. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. Connect with J. Renee Gordon at www.esquared.us and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/equared/

Our medical professionals continue to work on the front lines when it comes to battling Coronavirus. Whether it’s testing or working in an ICU, our nurses and doctors are fighting tirelessly every day. They are the definition of what it means to #SHOWUP. Who do you know in your family or close circle that is a nurse or doctor? What stories are you hearing from them about COVID-19? John talks with Clinical Nurse Education Specialist, Teresa Yankanich. They discuss educating healthcare professionals and caring for COVID patients during this unprecedented year. Given all that Terry has seen regarding the devastating toll COVID takes on the body, it’s no wonder when she says, “I can’t unsee it.” You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral & Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. Connect with Teresa Yankanich on LinkedIn @TeresaYankanich.

As an executive and career transition coach, I hear people say that “getting a job during COVID-19 is impossible.” While that speaks more to one’s mindset, there is also some validity that with high numbers of unemployment, getting a new job can be difficult. However, it’s not “impossible.” It depends on your industry, how you position yourself strategically, and how you #SHOWUP. Have you thought about switching jobs this year? Has COVID-19 derailed your plans, or made you feel less motivated or has COVID-19 motivated you more to change careers? John talks with Director of Partner Development and Sales Leader, Craig Schneider. They discuss what it was like for Craig to make a job switch, sell his house, move halfway across the country, live in a hotel for 35 days, work his new job, and move into a new home. Talk about stress and #SHOWINGUP. You can contact John with your career story & more at www.johnneral.com/contact or email him at john@johnneral.com. You can also follow him on LinkedIn @JohnNeral, Twitter @john_neral, Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. Connect with Craig Schneider on LinkedIn @CraigASchneider.

As businesses struggle with reopening plans, finding support during COVID-19 is about getting the necessary resources and information to survive and support their customers. Are you a small business owner wondering what your next steps will be and getting frustrated trying to sort through all of the information that’s out there? John talks with the Executive Director of the Central Fairfax (Virginia) Chamber of Commerce, Jennifer Rose. They discuss how COVID-19 shut down many local businesses, how she leveraged her time and energy – along with the support of her Chamber members – to find new ways to #SHOWUP, and what the future looks like for small businesses here in Northern Virginia as they execute their reopening plans. You can contact John with your career story & more at: www.johnneral.com/contact. Plus, you can follow him on Twitter @john_neral, Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. Follow Jennifer’s LinkedIn: @jenniferbrose

Like MLS, the NBA and other franchises might be back at play soon—albeit under strict guidelines, in the midst of this global pandemic. Are you an avid sports fan, ready for the return of edge-of-your-seat matches and compelling athlete stories? John gets on the mic with CNN Sports and NBA-TV Editor, Sports Content Creator/Digital Storyteller, and Sports Podcaster, Nia Sapp. They discuss what a return to the field will look like for teams the rest of this tough year—and #ShowingUp in one’s career and life, even in a time of crisis. You can contact John with your career story & more at: www.johnneral.com/contact. Plus, you can follow him on Twitter @john_neral, Instagram @JohnNeralCoaching, or join his Facebook page @JohnNeralCoaching. Follow Nia’s In The Clutch Podcast (Instagram): @InTheClutchPod Follow Nia’s Instagram: @NiaOnAir Follow Nia on Twitter: @NiaOnAir Follow Nia on YouTube: @NiaSapp Follow Nia on LinkedIn: @NiaSapp