Your Intended Message

Why Language is Behavior: George J. Rivera

Overcoming Fear and Anxiety in Leadership Communication

How to Self-Soothe Before Difficult Conversations

Episode #237 (George is based in New York City)

In this conversation with George J. Rivera we explore:

• The deeper meaning of behavior and communication, and why understanding the 'why' is essential for meaningful interactions.
• How to handle difficult conversations with strategies like mental rehearsal and reflection for improved outcomes.
• The role of leaders in shaping physical and emotional environments to support team success.
• The importance of psychological safety in fostering creativity, collaboration, and authenticity in teams.
• Techniques for using humor and empathy to reduce stress and enhance communication.
• The critical connection between leadership and environmental awareness, from physical settings to cultural dynamics.
• Lessons from nature, like mangrove trees, that reveal how creating the right conditions enables people to thrive.
• The value of self-awareness in leadership and its impact on team dynamics and organizational culture.

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About our guest George R. Rivera:

A member of Toastmasters International for the last 26 years, and serving as the District 46 Director this year. District 46 includes north of 34th street through Westchester NY.

 

Behavior Analyst the last 20+ years serving families, school districts, and hospitals in the Tri-State area. 

 

Fun fact: Cast and performed in a few Off-Broadway productions including Assassins, Bellevue Sketches, and Man of La Mancha. 

 

Connect with George https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-j-rivera-msed-9b689a5/

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Here are the key learning points from the interview with George Rivera:

1. Understanding Behavior and Communication

• Behavior is not labeled as "good" or "bad"; it always serves a function based on context and underlying motives.
• Language itself is considered a behavior and reflects deeper thought processes and emotions.

2. Strategies for Handling Difficult Conversations

• Self-Soothing Techniques: Use cognitive behavioral exercises like "time travel" to mentally rehearse the conversation and reflect afterward.
• Anticipate possible responses and prepare for them to maintain composure and improve outcomes.
• Acknowledge and manage perceived consequences to reduce avoidance or fear.

3. Leadership and Environmental Awareness

• A leader’s awareness of the physical and emotional environment is critical for team success.
• Environmental factors, such as physical space, communication systems, and the leader’s demeanor, significantly impact team dynamics.
• Leaders themselves are a central part of the environment they influence.

4. Psychological Safety in Teams

• Creating a sense of psychological safety fosters risk-taking, creativity, and authentic communication within teams.
• Leaders can encourage openness by modeling vulnerability and gradually introducing opportunities for team members to share thoughts and feelings.

5. Building Better Team Communication

• Structure communication to suit the needs of the team, balancing technology (e.g., email, messaging) with opportunities for live interaction.
• Recognize environmental stressors, such as overcrowded or noisy spaces, that can hinder communication.

6. Using Humor and Empathy

• Humor, particularly self-deprecating humor, can reduce stress, build trust, and foster openness in communication.
• Empathy allows for better acknowledgment of others’ perspectives, reducing defensiveness and conflict.

7. Lessons from Nature: Mangrove Trees and Leadership

• The mangrove tree analogy highlights the importance of creating an environment conducive to growth and thriving, much like the tree’s ecosystem supports unique organisms.
• Leaders should act like "mangrove trees," fostering collaboration, diversity, and interconnectedness.

8. Encouraging Collaborative and Inclusive Leadership

• Leaders should:
  1. Reflect inwardly on their role in shaping the environment.
  2. Promote open and honest communication over time.
  3. Foster collaboration and a shared purpose to reduce stress and enhance teamwork.

Would you like these summarized for a specific audience, such as LinkedIn readers or podcast listeners?

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Million Dollar Mindset: Junaid Ahmed

Mindset and Mastery for success

How to get started on your path

Episode 236 (Junaid is based in Virginia)

In this conversation with Junaid Ahmed we explore:

1. The essence of the million-dollar mindset and how to cultivate it.
2. Breaking large goals into manageable, actionable steps.
3. How to build a professional-grade home studio on a budget.
4. Lessons from 600 interviews about communication and transformation.
5. The importance of community and mentorship in achieving goals.
6. Overcoming self-doubt and fostering an abundance mindset.
7. Using preparation to make success seem "overnight."
8. Why giving value leads to reciprocal growth.
9. Finding the right people and resources to accelerate learning.
10. Practical advice for mid-career professionals looking to advance.

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About our guest, Junaid Ahmed:

He is the Home Studio Architect and creator of Home Studio Mastery, a program that helps podcasters, content creators and entrepreneurs transform their spaces into professional-grade studios.

He is host of the Hacks and Hobbies podcast where he has interviewed over 600 guests.

He is author of "Seven Stages of Home Studio Evolution". You can learn more about his marketing agency at:

https://humblezone.com/

Discover how to transform your home studio at: https://homestudiomastery.com/

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Excerpts from this conversation with Junaid Ahmed:

Key Learning Points:
1. The Power of Starting Now: Delaying actions leads to lost opportunities. Begin immediately, even with small steps.
2. Break Down Big Goals: Simplify large goals (e.g., making a million dollars) into actionable daily steps.
3. Mindset Shift: Adopting an abundance mindset over scarcity fosters opportunities and connections.
4. Preparation Matters: Success often appears sudden but requires years of consistent effort.
5. Learn from Others: Surround yourself with mentors and communities to learn and grow.
6. Give Before You Take: Focus on providing value to others, fostering trust and reciprocity.
7. Leverage Existing Resources: Affordable tools and established methods can help you start quickly.
8. The Importance of Clarity: Define your "why" before embarking on any journey.
9. Continuous Improvement: Reflect on your efforts to identify areas for growth.
10. Community Encouragement: A supportive network can drive perseverance and success.

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Adopting the Million Dollar Mindset
1. Start Now: Delay only creates missed opportunities.
2. Define Your Goal: Get clear on what you want and why it matters.
3. Break It Down: Divide large goals into achievable tasks.
4. Prepare for Success: Invest the time and effort upfront to enable scalability.
5. Adopt a Positive Mindset: Embrace abundance and openness.
6. Learn from the Best: Seek mentors and communities who share your values.
7. Give Generously: Share your knowledge and resources freely.
8. Practice and Reflect: Continuously improve through feedback.
9. Leverage Affordable Tools: Use existing technology and resources to build your foundation.
10. Find Support Systems: Surround yourself with people who encourage and inspire.

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Mastering Soft Skills for Tech Professionals: Evgeniy Kharam

The Art of Explaining Complex Ideas with Ease

Communicating Tech to Non-Tech Audiences

Episode 235 (Evgeniy is based in Toronto, Canada)

In this conversation, we explore:

1. The importance of breaking down technical jargon into relatable concepts.
2. How soft skills can elevate technical professionals' success.
3. Why feedback and audience awareness are essential in communication.
4. Techniques for maintaining engagement in virtual meetings.
5. The role of passion in conveying credibility.
6. Using hooks and metaphors to make connections.
7. How to practice communication skills in everyday interactions.
8. The significance of preparation and habits in presentations.
9. Strategies for leadership communication in technical fields.
10. How personal connections can improve professional interactions.

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About our guest Evgeniy Kharam:

Has over 40,000 hours of experience in cyber security.

Overcame many speaking challenges, including speaking too fast, stuttering and afraid to speak in groups.

Author of "The Art of Soft Skills in Technical Sales"

Learn more about his book and services at https://www.softskillstech.ca/

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Excerpts from this conversation with Evengiy Kharam:

Key Learning Points:

1. Simplifying Complex Ideas: Technical experts need to break down complex ideas using analogies and metaphors that anyone can understand.

2. Soft Skills Matter: Mastering soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and communication, is critical for technical professionals.

3. Know Your Audience: Tailoring communication styles to your audience—whether business leaders or customers—helps deliver messages more effectively.

4. The Power of Passion: Genuine enthusiasm and passion can make even the most technical topic engaging.

5. Feedback is Key: Asking your audience if they understand and adapting to their learning style improves communication effectiveness.

6. Use Hooks: Create personal connections or points of curiosity (hooks) to engage your audience right away.

7. Body Language and Eye Contact: Proper virtual communication, such as camera positioning and maintaining eye contact, is crucial in remote settings.

8. Practice Habits: Develop communication skills by practicing small talk in everyday situations.

9. Prepare for Presentations: Beyond knowing your slides, focus on breathing, tone, and relaxation techniques to deliver confidently.

10. Leadership Communication: Understanding what motivates your team and management helps align communication for better outcomes.

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Introverts as Leaders: How to Thrive in an Extroverted World: Stacey Chazin

How Introverts Can Lead and Communicate Effectively

The Super Power of Introverts

Episode 234 ( Stacey is based in New Jersey)

In this conversation, we explore:

1. How introverts can harness their strengths to thrive in leadership roles.
2. Effective strategies for introverts to participate confidently in meetings.
3. The misconceptions surrounding introversion and leadership potential.
4. Ways leaders can create inclusive environments for both introverts and extroverts.
5. The importance of self-awareness and authenticity in professional growth.

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About our guest, Stacey Chazin:

She holds a master's in organizational development and leadership, degrees in marketing and communication, and a certification in the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment.

Stacey is a proud introvert who grappled for decades with societal expectations that favored extroversion.

Instead of conforming to societal pressures, she embraced her introverted qualities, turning them into powerful assets that allowed her to thrive, both professionally and personally. She now coaches other introverts to do the same.

Get the free copy of Daily Productivity Hacks for Interviews

https://ifactorleadership.cohttps://ifactorleadership.com/productivity/m/productivity/

Get your free copy of Meeting Playbook for Introverts.

https://ifactorleadership.com/gift/

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Excerpts from this conversation with Stacey Chazin:

A common misconception is that introverts are shy or incapable of leading. As Stacey explains, “Introversion is not about shyness; it’s about how we get our energy.” While extroverts thrive in group settings, introverts recharge by having time alone or engaging in deep, focused thought.

So, how can introverts succeed in meetings, where speaking up is often equated with competence?

Stacey highlights a three-step approach for introverts to shine:

1. Before the Meeting: Preparation is key. Request the agenda in advance and develop talking points. As Stacey advises, “Having data or narrative examples ready helps you feel confident.”

2. During the Meeting: Don’t pressure yourself to speak first. Set a goal of sharing two or three points and check them off as you go. If asked to respond on the spot, Stacey suggests saying, “I’d love to give this some thought and follow up later.”

3. After the Meeting: Follow up with a well-crafted email. Stacey notes, “Introverts often excel at writing, which allows time to process thoughts.”

Introverts also bring unique leadership strengths. Stacey points out that deep listening, empathy, and calmness in conflict are powerful assets. “These qualities help you understand your team and guide them effectively,” she says.

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Better Business Systems and Processes: Sonya Corkery

Build a Thriving Business with Clear Communication

Clear the Clutter: Streamline Your Business for Success

Episode 233 (Sonya is based in Australia)

In this conversation, we explore:

1. The Importance of Systems and Processes in Business

   • How a lack of systems and processes leads to inefficiencies and constant "firefighting."
   • Strategies for developing effective operating systems that streamline operations and boost profitability.

2. Effective Communication as the Foundation for Success

   • The critical role clear communication plays in team collaboration and client relationships.
   • Methods to establish consistent messaging and improve internal and external communications.

3. Gaining Objectivity Through External Business Assessments

   • The value of bringing in an outside perspective to identify inefficiencies and growth opportunities.
   • How to conduct a business audit to uncover stress points like cash flow issues and staff turnover.

4. Managing Ego and Embracing Change for Growth

   • Recognizing when ego hinders business progress and team dynamics.
   • Tips for being open to feedback and making changes that benefit the whole organization.

5. Preparation and Mindset: Doing Your Future Self a Favor

   • The concept of preparing today to set yourself up for success tomorrow.
   • How routines, checklists, and even "uniforms" can enhance productivity and reduce decision fatigue.

6. Building Genuine Connections Through Energetic Interactions

   • The impact of authentic communication on building trust with clients and team members.
   • Moving beyond rote phrases to create meaningful and personalized interactions.

7. Listening to Team Members on the Front Lines

   • Leveraging the insights of employees who handle day-to-day operations.
   • Involving your team in decision-making to enhance engagement and implement better solutions.

8. The Psychological Benefits of Organization and Planning

   • How feeling organized reduces stress and provides peace of mind.
   • Small actions that compound over time to significantly improve personal and business efficiency.

9. Navigating the Unique Challenges of Family Businesses

   • Balancing personal relationships with professional roles within a family-run business.
   • Establishing clear communication and boundaries to ensure mutual respect and business success.

10. Accepting Feedback and Turning Challenges into Opportunities

    • Embracing constructive criticism as a catalyst for improvement.
    • Understanding that change is necessary to achieve different and better outcomes.

Join us as we delve into these topics with Sonya Corkery, who shares her expertise on cleaning up businesses, enhancing communication, and setting yourself up for future success.

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About our guest, Sonya Corkery:

Sonya had an extensive corporate career in finance. That includes time as a financial planner, bank manager and commercial lender.

She and her husband owned and operated a successful multimillion-dollar electrical contracting business for 16 years.

Learn more about Sonya and how she might help your business at

https://clearplanconsulting.com.au/

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Excerpts from this conversation with Sonya Corkery:

Key Insights from Our Conversation with Sonya Corkery

Get ready to transform your business with actionable insights! In this episode of Your Intended Message, we sat down with Sonya Corkery, a seasoned consultant helping businesses clean up their operations, streamline processes, and achieve sustainable growth. Here’s a sneak peek into the conversation:

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Q: What does it mean to "clean up a business"?

Sonya:
We joke about being the “janitors of the business world” because we come in, tie up loose ends, and establish systems and processes. Many businesses lack a framework and operate in constant crisis mode. We help assess these gaps, implement solutions, and make life easier for business owners.

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Q: What’s the most common issue you see in businesses?

Sonya:
The biggest problem is a lack of systems and processes. Owners often start with a great idea but don’t have the tools to turn it into an efficient operation. Clear systems streamline workflows, ensure consistency, and make training new team members much easier.

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Q: Why is communication such a critical part of business success?

Sonya:
Communication is at the heart of everything. Without clear communication, you’re not giving your team or clients the best chance at success. Documenting processes and ensuring consistent messaging is vital for maintaining quality and alignment within a business.

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Q: How do you handle resistance from business owners who don’t want to change?

Sonya:
It’s tough for anyone to hear they’ve made mistakes. I always say, “You’re not alone in this; many people face the same challenges.” We approach the situation objectively, showing how small changes can lead to better outcomes. Sometimes they need time to process feedback, and that’s okay—it’s all part of the journey.

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Q: What advice do you have for getting into the right mindset?

Sonya:
I always say, “Do your future self a favor.” Prepare today for what you’ll need tomorrow. Whether it’s making notes for a meeting or setting up a process, these small actions compound over time. Even something as simple as wearing the right “uniform” for a task can help set your mindset for success.

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Q: What’s the key to working effectively in a family business?

Sonya:
Communication is even more critical in family-run businesses. Early on, my husband and I had to learn to separate our egos from what was best for the business. Clear boundaries, open dialogue, and mutual respect are essential for balancing personal and professional dynamics.

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Q: How can businesses use feedback to improve?

Sonya:
Feedback, even when it’s uncomfortable, is a gift. I tell business owners to sit with it and reflect. Change is hard, but continuing with the same approach will give you the same results. By addressing feedback, you open the door to growth.

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Why listen to this episode?
Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, Sonya’s insights on systems, communication, and mindset will inspire you to tackle your business challenges head-on. Don't miss her advice on preparing for success and creating genuine connections in your business.

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Build a First Class Business: Jackson Calame

How to Build an Elite Team for Your Business

Your Batman needs an Alfred

Episode 232 (Jackson is based in San Antonio, Texas)

In this conversation with Jackson Calame we explore the keys to building a first-class business and the foundational principles for entrepreneurial success."

1. Why first-class service is non-negotiable for thriving businesses.
2. The hidden power of infrastructure and why it’s often overlooked by entrepreneurs.
3. How to transition from solopreneur to team leader and scale effectively.
4. The critical role of assembling the right team and identifying visionary traits in business partners.
5. The importance of ethics and authenticity in sustainable business growth.
6. The combine approach to selecting elite talent, inspired by professional sports.
7. Balancing efficiency with customer experience to create raving fans.
8. Why relying solely on automation and AI can be risky without a clear communication strategy.
9. Aligning personal values with business goals to create meaningful success.
10. How intentional messaging and clear communication set businesses apart from competitors.

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About our guest, Jackson Calame:

Jackson teaches visionary entrepreneurs how to unlock sustainable revenue growth and expand their legacy by becoming a Power Brand in their market. 96% of businesses fail within the first 10 years. Jackson teaches businesses, not only how to avoid failure, but how to win, by becoming a true leader in their market.

You are invited to attend the Power Launch Webinar.

https://go.firstclassbusiness.io/power-launch-webinar

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Excerpts from this conversation with Jackson Calame:

Jackson, let's talk about what first class business does for entrepreneurs that entrepreneurs fail to do for themselves. Where do you start? Absolutely.

Well, come out hitting hard and heavy. So our tagline on our website may make a lot of you laugh in a good and appreciative way.

It says, Hey, Batman, let us be your Alfred, right? And what does that mean? That means one, we want to work with superheroes, people who are contenders in the market, not pretenders.

We also want to come in and provide all of that back end infrastructure that often gets overlooked, maintaining the house, maintaining the balance, making sure that the schedules are operating efficiently, making sure Batman doesn't go out there and die when I was just trying to save the world.

There's so many things that need to be done in order to truly help somebody scale and have a proper balance and serve their market and be there for the family and the whole it's a lot so many entrepreneurs either take that for granted on one side, and we've got to stop doing that if we really want to build.

Or on the other side, if you're the Batman listening into that right now and you're like, oh my gosh, I need that act on it, you know, start looking for who is going to help you build that really unsexy, boring thing that almost no podcasts talk about, called infrastructure, truly that simple infrastructure

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First Class business means that we literally cannot provide a second class service. Our clients won't accept it. 

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The Power of Analogies in Financial Planning: Chad Hufford

7 Life Lessons from Oilfields to Retirement

How Emotional Baggage Impacts Your Finances

Episode 231 (Chad is based in Alaska)

In this conversation with Chad Hufford we explore:

• Why Conventional Wisdom Often Fails in Financial Success
• The Role of Emotional Baggage in Financial Decision-Making
• The Influence of Financial Media on Misconceptions
• The Importance of Shifting Perspectives for Financial Independence
• Building a Financial Blueprint for Success
• The Difference Between Income and Principal in Financial Freedom
• Focusing on What You Can Control in a Volatile Economy
• The Role of Trust and Relationships in Financial Advising
• Retiring To, Not From: The Importance of Purpose in Financial Independence
• The Power of Analogies to Simplify Complex Financial Concepts

About our guest, Chad Hufford:

Chad owns a boutique financial planning firm, Vertitas Wealth Management. He partners with Dave Ramsey as one of his SmartVestor Pros. He is the author of Forging Financial Freedom. He is born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska.

You can get your copy of his book along with the free bonuses here

www.forgingfinancialfreedom.com

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Excerpts from this conversation with Chad Hufford:

Delighted to be talking with you and I somehow I just think just living and growing up in Alaska is got to give you a different view of the world. Do you agree with that?

Well, quite literally, it gives me a different view of the world. We're so high up on latitude that, yeah, every everything's different up here. But, you know, I think it's been actually really powerful for me.

You know, one of the things we talked about in previous conversations is, you know, when we try to have an intended message come across, sometimes we do have to change somebody's perspective in order to see it clearly.

And I think, coming from Alaska, we do automatically have such a different perspective. It just It lends itself to the reframing or reshaping of somebody's paradigm or perspective, and it's just, it's a wonderful place to live. It's not always easy 35 degrees this morning on my drive into the office.

But you know what? It's beautiful, and it's home- and that's 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

I guess we just started the fall, ended this summer? Yeah, summer here ended a few weeks ago, I think, if we're being honest. But yeah, 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

So like one, one degree, two degrees Celsius, it's, it's, it's crisp out there. But you know what we had? We had a huge black bear come through our yard. The other day.

We had a lynx outside. And where we live in Anchorage. it's 300,000 people. It's a normal town. We're now out in the boonies, but we live on the very edge of Anchorage, so we get wildlife in our backyard all the time. And it's such a blessing.

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How to take control of your emotional reactions: Kim Korte

The Recipe of Emotions: Crafting Responses for Success

Emotion as Sensation: How Our Past Shapes Our Emotional Responses

Episode 230 (Kim is based in San Francisco)

In this conversation we explore:

• The Connection Between Emotions and Sensory Experiences
• Why Emotional Awareness Matters in Both Life and Leadership
• Practical Strategies to Gain Control Over Your Emotions
• How to Avoid Being a ‘Slave’ to Your Emotions
• The Power of Emotional Granularity
• Using Interoception to Improve Emotional and Physical Awareness
• How to Rethink Negative Experiences Through Conscious Reframing
• Balancing Compassion and Empathy as a Leader
• Daily Practices to Connect with Your Emotions
• How Emotions Serve as Tools for Learning and Growth

About our guest, Kim Korte:

Kim Korte hosts the Flavors of Emotions podcast and is the author of Yucky Yummy Savory Sweet: Understanding the Flavors of Emotions.

She offers a process to help us make sense of our feelings through the lens of a chef understanding flavors in a recipe.

This unique approach to emotion management blends culinary metaphors with emotional education in a digestible format, making the complex world of feelings accessible and actionable.

As a Sensory Perception and Emotion Management Strategist, she aims to help people develop creative action around how they experience the world and their emotions.

Learn more about Kim and and her book https://www.kimkorte.com/

Listen to her podcast "Flavors of Emotions: https://www.flavorsofemotions.com/

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Excerpts from this conversation with Kim Korte:

In your book, you compare emotions to food and and sensation. Food sensations and flavors. How did you come up with that connection?

I learned about the theory of constructed emotions, which is a very common and probably fairly widely accepted idea that we construct our emotions using our experiences, kind of like ingredients that and a recipe.

And I got this idea after reading how emotions are made, The Secret Life of the Brain, by Lisa Feldman Barrett.

It was an eye popping book, and it got me to think about how if emotions are created from perceptions, then our whole world is like giving us ingredients that we use, and the recipes are everything that we've experienced previously.

So we're always living today in the past, unless we're more conscious of what's going on in our current experience.

That level of consciousness is what helps us to examine and change the quote, unquote recipe if it's not the right one, or if it's not working for us and the process of flavor, it's not a sense sensory system, like everything that we taste, everything we see, all of these things, these are sensory systems.

And taste is a combination of sensory systems you taste with your nose, you taste with your mouth. They even have shown that what you see and what you hear like, if it's crunchy, you think it's fresh, but even music going on around you, you might think, Oh, this music isn't impacting me, but it really can impact the flavor and your experience of food, and the same is true of our emotions.

Everything that we experience is a our emotions, rather are a combination of our sensory experiences. That's what influences us. So this is where I got these food metaphors and cooking metaphors.

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Think of it like a pepper. There's different kinds of peppers, there's bell peppers, and there's jalapenos, and there's habaneros.

And yet, we don't attribute hot spiciness to every single pepper out there, right? Because we've learned to distinguish the differences situationally and. Experientially of different peppers.

And so the same can be true with our fears, because we tend to have this like one size fits all approach to a lot of emotions, and we we feel one emotion more than others, and we haven't allowed ourselves to recognize that fear can be like a pepper, even love can be like a pepper, and have different gradations of it, different levels of quote, unquote, heat.

And with that, you are able to break down that fear into seeing it in its different states. It could be irked, could be nervous. It could be irate, you know? It could be, you know, I need to run for the door, panic. Same with love....

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Create and Publish Real and Trustworthy Content: Aaron Witnish

Unlocking Trust and Authenticity in Content Creation

Build Real Connections and Grow Your Business

Episode 229 (Aaron is based in Australia)

In this conversation with Aaron we explore:

• The value of publishing video to build trust
• Publish content to offer value to your prospects and clients
• Why the content needs to be about your audience and not you
• How to discover the questions that your audiences wants answered
• How to generate better content by answering questions
• How to appear better on camera by making it a conversation
• How to get into the flow of recording video
• The importance of an attractive hook to hold their attention
• When and how to place a call to action

About our guest, Aaron Witnish:

He started marketing online in 2008 and launched his first agency in 2010.

You can download the free "30 Days in 90 Minutes Content Creation System"

https://contentonly.au/

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Excerpts from this conversation with Aaron Witnish:

It's very fitting that the show is called your intended message, because that ties in beautifully with content creation. The challenge is it has so many moving parts.

Where do you post it? What format do you create? Where do you get the ideas, what tech that you use? And that paralyzes most people into inaction, or there's a fear about being on camera. You're quite vulnerable. When you put yourself online, people can make comments and say things. 

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When you're writing your content, creating it, or just thinking about what you're going to say, think about your audience and how you can help them.

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How do we know which questions to answer for our audience?

This is one of the biggest obstacles, and I'm glad to say that solving it is quite easy once you know how and full transparency.

Took me 14 years to to find this, and now that I know it's kind of slapped me in the face, but what you do is you take any topic that you might cover with your intended message or in your business, and you just put that keyword or that search into Google.

So let's use a generic example, and we'll say weight loss. So if you put weight loss, type it into Google. Press Enter. All you need to do is scroll down the search a little bit, and there's a section that says people also ask, and that'll have the questions and queries that people are typing in and asking online.

So what you can do is look at the questions that you can add value to and answer, save them to the side, and then you click the down arrow, it'll give you more questions.

You click the down arrow, it'll give you more questions. Then you just take the next topic. So it could be dieting, it could be workouts, it could be nutrition, and then you just keep getting a list of questions that people are asking.

So that way you know what people are searching for online, and you can solve those problems with your content and never. Run out of content ideas with this strategy

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What does your photo say about you? Maia Rosenfeld

Is your image telling your story as intended?

How to look better and real on camera

Episode 228 (Maia is based in Chicago)

In this conversation with Maia Rosenfeld we explore:

• How do other judge you based on your photograph?
• How a photographer first needs to understand you
• How to stop sabotaging your photographs
• What a better word than "cheese"
• The power of visual messages on trust
• The first impression when we see your photo on Linkedin
• How might the photograph convey your brand?
• Why do people check their reflection when they walk by store windows

About our guest, Maia Rosenfeld:

Maia has been a headshot photographer in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York for 28 years.

Some of her corporate clients include BMW, J.P. Morgan Chase, Salesforce, GE Healthcare and The Make-A-Wish Foundation.

She's never met a stranger.

Learn more about her photography services at

MRPCreative.com

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Excerpts from this conversation with Maia Rosenfeld:

Is it welcoming? Do you look smart? Do you look like you're good at what you do? Do you look like someone they want to spend the time reading the next little blurb that's probably only three sentences underneath their chin, getting to figure out what is the unique thing, the differentiator of each client that comes into my studio to figure out how to tell their story, to make sure that their authenticity is represented, is the thing right.

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I'm not particularly interested in taking photographs of what you look like. Lucky for me, you already look like what you look like. Thank you very much. I'm interested in taking photos of who you are.

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I've come up with a game that they do, which is I throw a word out at them, and they just repeat that word inside their brain. They just have to think it.

So if I say to you, just with your eyes, say the word power, if you literally just think the word power, you're done. You don't have to give me what you think a powerful look is.

You don't have to define power. You don't have to think of a ton you once felt powerful. Literally, I say power. You say power. I say cat, you say cat. And why does it work?

It works because it keeps George inside the building. That is George, where people tend to derail themselves in photos, any photo, family photo, picture, it out with your friends.

Is the second the camera comes up. Everyone tends to leave the building, right? We're in a big group of people. We say cheese. We don't know how long it's taking. We don't know how many they're taking.

Our faces kind of freeze. We don't know it's, oh, it's the other camera. Are they using a flash? We get that photo back, and we hate how we look, right? You're not in that photo.

You left at least 15 seconds ago, right? So that is one of the places that we derail ourselves and we don't we start to hate how we look.

Now we live in a world, in this selfie culture, where you can watch yourself in the photo, right? Which is almost even worse of a problem. It makes it even more self conscious, right? 

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