Stu Massengill is a speaker and podcaster.  He’s helping Millennial and Gen Z high achievers to communicate and connect at new levels.  Surprisingly, he started his career as a shy kid whose biggest fear was public speaking.  But after pushing himself to speak more… he slowly fell in love with it. And he started to build a network that changed everything. 

Since then, Stu has been on stages around the country. Speaking to anywhere from 10 to 10,000… where he talks about the importance of improved communication and exceptional networking skills.  As you’ll hear in the conversation, Stu Massengill has some powerful and practical strategies for connecting with people and growing your network… EVEN in a pandemic.  I think you’re going to love it… so let’s get to it!

RESOURCES:

• Stu’s Podcast: www.stumassengill.com/findingdirection
• Stu’s Website: www.stumassengill.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/stumassengill

MORE ABOUT THE STU MASSENGILL EPISODE:

Hello and welcome to episode 297 of DREAM THINK DO.  

Today… we’re talking about a wildly important subject… but it’s one that you might not have been thinking about for a while.  And that is: networking and meeting new people.

That’s right… Networking and connecting even during a pandemic!

As you well know… growing your network of amazing people is critical.

In fact, friend and frequent Dream Think Do guest, Bob Burg (mitchmatthews.com/268/)  is known for saying: 

“The single greatest “people skill” is a highly developed 

& authentic interest in the *other* person.â€

Author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad,†Robert Kiyosaki says, 

“The richest people in the world look for and build networks,

 everyone else looks for work. Marinate on that for a minute.â€

Successful CEO Sallie L. Krawcheck says,

“Networking is the No. 1 unwritten rule of success in business.â€Â 

Plus, like we’ve talked about in previous episodes of DREAM THINK DO… the best time to build your network is when you don’t need it.  That’s so you can lean on it… especially when life throws you a curveball… and you need some help!

So yes… networking is critical… building relationships is essential.  HOWEVER… we need to talk about the elephant in the room. #suckitcovid.  

TRUTH: It’s harder to network and connect right now.

TRUTH: But just because it’s tougher to do… doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be doing it!

And heck… if you are doing it now… that’s just one more thing you can be doing to set yourself apart!!!

Our guest, Stu Massengill is a speaker and podcaster who’s helping the world… especially our younger generations… to network and connect.  It may or may not surprise you… but he started out as a shy kid whose biggest fear was public speaking and meeting new people.

  But after pushing through his fears and learning some of the strategies we’re talking about, he slowly fell in love with both. And these strategies allowed him to build a network that changed everything.  He started to meet his heroes. 

People like Action Sports Moguls Rob and Bryianna Dyrdeck, Olympic Gold Medalist Shaun White, and Best Selling Author and international speaker, Tony Robbins.  Heck, his relationship with Tony grew and so now they’re friends and Stu gets to speak on stage with Tony at events around the country.  

Plus, all of this inspired him to launch his own podcast called “Finding Direction,†which helps millennials and Gen Zers to find direction.  And that is how we connected… because Stu Massengill invited me to be on his show.  We had sooooo much fun… I wanted to turn the mics around to get more of HIS story… and share his insights and strategies with YOU!   

But that’s what good connecting and networking does… right?  It builds relationships and it inspires people to help each other out… and share the good stuff.  So let’s get to the specifics.

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 2:41 Introducing Stu Massengill
• 4:18 Stu discusses overcoming shyness
• 7:25 Strategies to employ for great networking
• 12:38 Using F.O.R.M and finding common ground with others
• 13:43 2 ways to start a conversation
• 16:08 Getting out of your own way
• 19:46  Loose ties vs strong  ties
• 22:10 Adding value to your relationships
• 23:40 The importance of “loose tie” relationships
• 24:43 Final thoughts
• 27:54 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you think?  What’s a strategy you’re going to use?  More importantly… join in the conversation. 

Do you think it’s important to still be networking and growing new and deeper relationships during this pandemic?  If so… what’s one of YOUR favorite strategies to be using right now? 

If not, let us know why.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment below and let’s TALK!

Katy Kvalvik is our guest.  A few years ago… two consecutive accidents caused Katy to sustain multiple life-altering injuries that forced her to relearn almost everything… including how to walk.  As you can imagine, that experience of intentionally needing to put her mind and body back together inspired her to embark on an international journey to learn holistic mind, body, and spirit wellness. 

Today, Katy has dedicated her life to sharing everything that she’s learned to empower others in their own wellness journeys… as well as finding peace no matter what… whether that’s in the living room or the board room. We’ve got lots to dig into… so let’s get to this.

RESOURCES:

• Katy’s website: KatyKvalvik.com
• More on Katy’s Approach to Powerful (and peaceful) Listening: katykvalvik.com
• Katy Kvalvik’s Instagram: instagram.com
• Katy Kvalvik’s Facebook: facebook.com/HarmonyMethod 

MORE ABOUT THE KATY KVALVIK EPISODE:

In the episode, we dig into powerful and specific strategies to help you achieve a sense of peace and presence… no matter the situation.  (Yeah… even in 2020!)

One of the surprising but powerful concepts Katy brings up is the importance of effective listening.  Which makes sense… right?  Better listening = better relationships… which helps bring a sense of peace.  Also, effective listening can = being more present.  So, although I’d not really thought about it… but listening is a key strategy when it comes to having a sense of peace and being fully present.  

Here’s a bit more of what we talked about: 

Four Stages of Listening:

Stage 0: This is when no listening is happening. Only speaking. Everyone’s talking but no one is listening.  Ever been there? #nopeace 

Stage 1: Subjective Listening

This is the stage where 95% of conversations happen. We take in information subjectively and only hear it through our own experiences.

Stage 2: Listening but Not in the Present Moment

In this stage, some listening is happening, but we’re distracted. We’re not really WITH the person who’s talking.  And as you know… this can totally create a disconnect and can even induce a sense of anxiety or anxiousness.  

Stage 3: Objective Active Listening

This is where the listener is completely focused on the other person. This is a great stage for problem-solving because you’re looking at the facts of what is being said.

Stage 4: Intuitive Listening

This is the highest stage of listening.  It happens when the listener is really honing in and connecting to the real message of the conversation. The listener is paying FULL attention to the words as well as the body language, tone of voice, energy level, etc. As you can imagine, true intuitive listening is listening between the lines.

MINUTE BY MINUTE: 

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:55 When everything changed for Katy
• 4:45 Being internally committed to healing
• 6:40 What Katy has learned during the pandemic
• 7:47 How to get clarity
• 8:37 Breathing and meditation
• 11:31 How to be a better listener
• 13:44 How breathing and listening are connected
• 15:02 Strategy to help with resilience
• 17:02 Get in contact with Katy
• 28:57 Mitch’s biggest takeaway

I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you think of what Katy had to say?  What’s something you’re going to experiment with based on the convo?  I want to hear from YOU!  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Chad Williams is our guest.  Chad is a former U.S. Navy SEAL. Now he’s a speaker and a best-selling author.  Days before Chad was to report to military duty, he turned on a television and was greeted with the horrifying images of his friend and mentor, US Navy SEAL Scott Helvenston, being brutally murdered in a premeditated ambush on the roads of Fallujah.

This would have convinced most people to bail, but instead, it inspired him to double down on his dream of becoming a NAVY Seal too.  So Chad followed in Scott’s footsteps and completed the US military’s most difficult and grueling training to become a Navy SEAL. He was one of only 13 from a class of 173 to make it straight through to graduation. 

After that…  Chad served his country on SEAL Teams One and Seven… completing tours of duty in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Iraq.  We’ll learn how his NAVY Seal training now helps him as he leads others, how he lives his life, AND how he THRIVES even in a year like 2020!  Let’s get to this!

RESOURCES:

• Chad’s Website: www.navysealchadwilliams.com
• Chad’s Signed Book: Click here.
• Chad’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/sealofgod

MORE ABOUT THE CHAD WILLIAMS EPISODE:

After completing his 6 years of service as a NAVY Seal, Chad went on to author the best-selling book SEAL of God.

Today, Chad has spoken at fortune 500 companies… as well as hundreds of faith-based events around the country.  He also contributes no holds barred… expert analysis related to military affairs and subjects of leadership and perseverance for major news networks… like FOX and CNN.  

Chad has… and continues… to live a DREAM THINK DO life and I’m so excited and honored to get to have this conversation with him.  PLUS… I wanted your input on the questions I should ask… and you guys sent in suggestions like crazy… so I can’t wait to get to ask some of YOUR questions too.  So we’ll also go after the following questions submitted by YOU!  Questions like: 

MENTAL TOUGHNESS:

“What kind of techniques or mental thought patterns he learned to switch from being overwhelmed by circumstances to being able to focus on doing the things that he could control?†– Julie and Dan

TEAMS AND DREAMS:

“There’s a lot of focus on self-motivation and self-perseverance in striving to achieve our DREAM. We all know SEALS are a Team, and building a team is part of success, so how do we keep our team motivated when we’re so busy doing what we need to do?†  – Jeffrey Jorgenson 

EVERYDAY LIFE:

“What’s a take-away from your time as a Navy Seal that you apply to your life every day?†– Stephanie

CHAD’S FAVORITE QUOTE (which he nails in the interview):

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.â€Â 

–  Theodore Roosevelt

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 2:56 Meet Chad
• 6:07 Chad’s journey to becoming a Navy Seal
• 18:50 Chad’s first day of Seal training
• 21:56 Your DNA does not determine your destiny
• 25:50 One of the most impactful sentences Chad has ever heard
• 30:32 How to switch from being overwhelmed to in control
• 34:25 How to keep your team motivated while still accomplishing tasks
• 38:23 Chad’s favorite Theodore Roosevelt quote
• 41:28 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

Okay, so what did YOU think of what Chad Williams had to say?  Which stories resonated?  What phrases and mantras got you thinking?  What clicked for you?  What didn’t?  What’s going to be something you try/apply as a result?  Let me know.  Leave a comment below.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!

Sarah Yourgrau is my guest.  She’s an Emmy-Award Winning Producer dedicated to reimagining and rebuilding the ways that we connect with each other, both on and off the screen… and she’s a self-professed “Optimism Activist.†Sarah’s traveled the globe and worked on a wide variety of projects.  Her current focus is working with Mike Rowe on “Returning the Favor.â€Â 

Her work is demanding and takes her all over the world.  Plus, since many of her projects involve REAL people and unscripted situations, that means she has to try to organize chaos… minute by minute.  As a result, she has to be intentional about her focus, and her mindset… daily.  So we’ll dig into her 5 non-negotiables for having YOUR ideal day… no matter what!

RESOURCES:

Check out Sarah Yourgrau as she meets Mike Rowe for the first time… and works her magic with Returning the Favor: www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2020109721593621

• Sarah on IG: www.instagram.com/sarahyourgrau
• Sarah’s Now Tell Me Something Good: www.instagram.com/nowtellmesomethinggood
• Returning the Favor on IG: @returningthefavorshow 
• Returning the Favor on FB: www.facebook.com/watch/?extid=UMr1tXVxhuVAGvya&v=1154661701594665

MORE ON THE SARAH YOURGRAU EPISODE:

Listen… Sarah Yourgrau’s the real deal… and she’s had some fun adventures.  She’s worked for Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions.  Heck… she was even Maya Rudolph’s personal assistant for a year.  And my personal favorite… she’s a producer for Mike Rowe and “Returning the Favor.â€Â Â 

In fact… for years… Sarah has traveled extensively throughout the United States and internationally…. creating documentaries, commercials, television series, and online content.  During that time… she has been studying resilience, optimism, hope, and community change-making… right there on the front lines… spending time with… and telling the stories of people who are making a difference and making the world a better place!

All of this has given her a truly unique perspective on the American identity.

And… I’m also excited to say… has laid the groundwork for her OWN Optimism-Generating Media company called, “Now Tell Me Something Good.”

Her company is already doing amazing work… by providing content that offers tools, insights, and best practices… not to mention great stories… that are needed right now.  It’s content that will inspire people to start and sustain work that impacts the world in a positive way.  Guys… she’s pure awesome and I’m so stoked to have her join us so let’s get to this!

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:29 Introducing Sarah Yourgrau
• 3:34 What is an optimism activist
• 5:56 The origin of Sarah’s optimism
• 8:32 Sarah on being a producer
• 11:39 Meeting and working with Mike Rowe
• 19:13 Specific tools to create optimism
• 19:45 Meditation
• 22:22 Gratitude
• 25:56 Dealing with curveballs
• 27:41 Believe that it’s possible
• 31:17 Where resilience meets optimism

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

What did you think?  Drop me a comment below!  I want to hear from you.  What’s a favorite story or strategy from Sarah?  Let me know.

Hey… and pleasssssssssssse share this episode!  I think we can all use a little more Optimism Activism in our lives!!!  Amen?  Amen.

We’re talking with Harris III about how prayer has impacted his life and his work. Harris is a professional illusionist who has performed for more than two million people on five continents. His unique approach and innovative thinking have also caught the attention of executives at organizations like Apple, Disney, Nike, and NASA. 

His new book is called “The Wonder Switch.â€Â  I talked with him about all of THAT in episode 292 of DREAM THINK DO, so be sure to check that out.  But in this short BONUS interview, we talk about a powerful prayer experience that helped Harris to know that God wants to be in the details AND it changed the way he lived!  I think you’ll dig it!

RESOURCES:

• Harris III website: harrisiii.com
• The Book: harrisiii.com
• Harris III Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrisiii
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/harristhethird
• Twitter: twitter.com/HarrisII
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HarristheThird

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

Let me know what you think about his story.  Have you ever wondered whether you can talk to God about the “details†of life… especially subjects like the money?  I know I wrestled with this for a while.   Comment and let me know what you think. I can’t wait to hear from YOU! 

Harris III is a professional illusionist who has performed his unique brand of magic and storytelling for more than two million people on five continents. His unique approach to magic, story-telling, and innovative thinking has also caught the attention of creative leaders and executives at organizations like Apple, Disney, Nike, and NASA.

Harris has just written a new book called “The Wonder Switch.â€Â  In it… he shares some great stories and powerful strategies to help you reclaim your wonder and reshape your life! Since wonder is at the heart of innovative thinking and bigger ideas… this is critical… especially right now.  So let’s get to this!

RESOURCES:

• Harris III website: harrisiii.com
• The Book: harrisiii.com
• Harris III Instagram: www.instagram.com/harrisiii
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/harristhethird
• Twitter: twitter.com/HarrisII
• YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/HarristheThird

MORE ON THE HARRIS III EPISODE:

In addition to performing around the globe… when that’s safe to do… 

Harris III has also become a visionary entrepreneur, sought-after coach, creative consultant, and a quiet producer behind a diverse list of various film and TV projects. 

I was wildly blessed to get an early copy of his new book and I can tell you that Harris taps into his experiences as a professional magician and storyteller… to help us all remember the power of WONDER.  

In fact, he’s dug deep into this concept of WONDER and uncovered some keys that can help anyone to move from feeling STUCK to living more of the life they want to live.

And before anyone is tempted to dismiss “wonder†as being all rainbows and butterflies and little ponies… it’s important that we tip our hat to the power of wonder and awe.

In fact, Socrates said…

“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.â€Â  Plato followed up with… “Philosophy begins in wonder.â€Â Â 

Let’s jump a few centuries… and check-in with Albert Einstein.  He said… 

“He who can no longer pause to wonder

and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead;  his eyes are closed.â€Â 

Neil Armstrong… the first person to walk on the moon once said… “Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.â€Â 

And one of the most important authors of all times DR SEUSS was known for…  “Think and wonder, wonder and think.â€Â Â 

That’s right.  Wonder.

It’s a timeless truth that wonder is the beginning of a lot of things that are good… but it’s sooooooo easy to lose that sense of wonder too.  Right?

Well… today, Harris is going to help us dive into the subject of WONDER.  What is it.  Why is it important?  AND… how to intentionally cultivate it… to have more of the good stuff in your life.

It’s an awesome convo… that I think you’re going to love… so let’s get to it!

MINUTE BY MINUTE:

• 0:02 What to expect today
• 1:55 Meet Harris III
• 4:00 Harris’ origin story
• 11:15 Losing the wonder
• 14:03 The importance of wonder and how it’s linked to storytelling
• 16:47 Wonder gives us permission to believe
• 17:59 Seeing isn’t believing, believing is seeing
• 19:28 Applying wonder and awe to your life practically
• 22:17 The wonder switch
• 24:39 The impact of wonder on Imagination
• 27:36 Practical ways to apply positive creativity
• 30:15 Rewriting the script
• 37:07 Mitch’s biggest takeaways

LET’S HEAR FROM YOU!

Let me know what you think about the importance of WONDER.  Comment and let me know what you think of what Harris III had to say and what’s he’s suggesting we do to cultivate some more WONDER and AWE in our lives.  I can’t wait to hear from YOU!