Transcript of Authors Unplugged Podcast with Guest Christy Demetrakis
Christy Demetrakis
0:02All right. All right. Hi everybody.0:05Welcome to another episode of Authors0:07Unplugged. Our fall uh season is0:11underway. Uh Christie, I don't know0:13about you, but I had to take a break0:15during the summer. So, we just we just0:17started Authors Unplugged0:20um I think like a week or two ago. And0:22we actually started the season with uh0:24Minda Hearts. Do you know who that is?0:25>> Yeah, no I don't, but I've listened to0:27the podcast. It was a0:28>> Oh, she's she's lovely. She's one of my0:31>> her when I was in corporate America. I0:33needed0:33>> Yeah, yes, we all needed her.0:35>> [laughter]0:36>> That's right. She is something special.0:38She's really something special. And um0:41anyway, so we kicked off the season with0:43her and we have lots of like really fun0:45guests coming from like all the places0:47and spaces that I engage cuz I have a0:50lot of author like I want to say clubs.0:53I'm not really sure what to call them,0:54author networks0:55>> Mhm.0:56>> that I'm part of.0:57>> Yep.0:57>> And so every time I meet an author, I'm0:59like, "Oh, you want to come on my show?"1:00And so it's nice cuz you and I we're1:03part of1:05innovation1:07Innovation Women, is that what the group1:08is called? Yeah. Yeah, and so1:11>> you're involved in too much, Hattie. You1:12don't really have time1:13>> that's1:14it's one of my newer clubs that I'm part1:16of. Yeah. And um and so yeah, I put like1:19a little call out, a little commercial1:21and I'm like, "Hey, if anybody wants to1:22come and I was overwhelmed by the amount1:25of people that were interested." Like I1:26had to go back and create an application1:28cuz I'm like, "Okay, there's like 201:30people that want to come." And I'm like,1:31"I'm not going to Yeah, I don't even1:32know how to decide cuz I don't even know1:34what the books are about." So, I kind of1:36did a an like a application and then1:39that helped me like1:40>> Very smart.1:41>> Yeah, be able to see like what are these1:42books about and see what makes sense,1:44what is a good fit for the show. Anyway,1:46I'm glad you're here. Uh so, welcome to1:48the show, Christie.1:49>> Thank you.1:50>> Um1:51so, it's nice having you here. I want to1:55um sort of like kick things off by1:56letting you just I guess let people a1:58little bit let people know a little bit2:00about you. Maybe you could throw in a2:02fun fact and just say like, "Hey, who2:04are you and like what are you doing2:05here?"2:07>> You know, one thing that people never2:08use to describe me is fun, right?2:10>> [laughter]2:11>> I want to be that person.2:12>> I This is a fun show, so we're going to2:15change that, Christie. This is2:16>> change my image today.2:17>> going to be fun here.2:19>> I am Christie Demetrakis.2:21And I am for the benefit of the show, I2:24am the author I'm a two-time author of2:27Faith to Conquer Fear, Inspiration to2:29Achieve Your Dreams, which I published2:31in 2010, and my [snorts] Amazon2:33bestseller Faith to Conquer Fear: The2:34Journey.2:36And but outside of that, I have spent 342:40years in corporate America, background2:42in sales. I have worked for companies2:44like Who I started with Ralston Purina,2:46pet food company, then I went2:48>> Oh, wow.2:49>> Yeah, worked there and then got my2:50master's degree. I graduated from the2:52University of North Carolina at Chapel2:53Hill, so any Tar Heels, make sure you2:55shout out there.2:56Um, so I graduated from UNC, went to2:59work for Ralston Purina pet food3:01company. Then I left there after I got3:03my MBA, and I went to work for Fort3:05James Corporation.3:07>> [clears throat]3:07>> And at that time, they were the maker of3:08Bounty paper towels, Quilted Northern3:10bathroom tissue, but they've been sold3:11>> Oh, okay. I like I like Quilted. I like3:13that that that bathroom tissue.3:16>> that cuz P&G is Charmin, mhm.3:19I [laughter]3:19stopped buying stuff from Ohio.3:21>> That's That's So So, I have to tell you3:22something. Puerto Rican peo- I don't3:24know if it's all Latinos, but it might3:25be all Latinos, but definitely Puerto3:26Rican people and certainly my family, we3:29are very very brand loyal um kind of3:32thing. And so, Charmin is all we bought,3:35um Colgate Colgate is all we bought.3:37Like, we had we had our brands and we3:40did not deviate from those brands. It3:41didn't matter what was on sale, what was3:43what. Like, I remember going to3:45somebody's house and me like, "You use3:46Crest? Oh my god. Like, what even is3:49that?" Like, I used Colgate my whole3:52freaking life.3:53>> Still now? Still now?3:55>> Um actually, you know what? I think I3:58do, but they3:59there's a a version of Colgate in Europe4:03that it's like a new formula that4:04actually repairs your teeth.4:07And um so it's and it I feel like it's4:09working. Like I feel like I I have I4:11have4:11>> We're not going to advertise and give4:13some free visibility to Colgate because4:15that is not P&G. I still have stock in4:18P&G.4:19>> Okay, so what's What are the P&G What4:20are some of the P&G brands?4:22>> Crest,4:23uh4:24Bounty, Charmin, Always, Tide, Downy,4:28Gain, Bounce, you name it.4:30>> Yeah.4:31>> tooth that you just said, it is probably4:32in your house.4:34>> Yes, wow.4:36>> But yeah, so I spent some time um4:38with uh4:39Ford James Corporation. And I was there4:42for about 2 years, then I went to work4:43for Coors Brewing Company. So that was4:45my stint in the liquor business or the4:47alcohol industry.4:49>> Wow.4:50>> Right, so that was interesting. But I4:51was there for 5 years, then I went on to4:54work for the Gillette Company. And I was4:56I was with Gillette for 5 years, and4:58then Gillette was acquired by Procter &5:00Gamble. And so I have was with Procter &5:03Gamble the last 21 years5:05>> Wow.5:06>> of my career. And I always tell folks at5:08P&G, I would have been much less5:10expensive had you hired me right out of5:12college because I did with P&G in5:15[laughter] college, and I don't know if5:17you know anything about Procter &5:18Gamble, but our interviewing process is5:20pretty doggone rigorous. Only about 1%5:23of people who apply actually get into5:25P&G.5:26>> Wow.5:27>> It's pretty intense. And but I got5:29through three steps of the four-step5:32process and didn't make the cut. But5:35then I got in anyway, so I was like,5:36"Ah, it was meant to be."5:37>> By hook or by crook.5:39>> Yeah, yes, I got in and5:41uh had a wonderful wonderful career. I5:43just uh retired.5:45>> Okay.5:46>> of5:47last year. Thank you. That was a huge5:49thing for me.5:51Probably now I guess eight years ago.5:53Eight years ago I declared I'm a woman5:55of faith and I believe that you have5:56what you say. The Bible says you can5:58speak things and all the things. So I6:00had declared that I was going to retire6:02by 55.6:04That's what I said I'm going to retire6:05by 55. Now I didn't know how that was6:07going to happen. I wasn't ready to6:09retire yet, but I just retired by 55. I6:12didn't know what I was going to do after6:13that, but I'm going to retire.6:14And it all just the universe works its6:18way out. I know that's the term you like6:19to use. I just say6:20it. We'll keep it universe if you like.6:23But yeah, and I had the opportunity to6:26retire and I ended up retiring 19 days6:29before my 55th birthday.6:31>> Wow. So you So you you figured it out.6:34>> I accomplished the goal. And and I said6:37who I didn't know what I was going to do6:38after the fact. I did know because I've6:39had a business The Empowered Speaker6:42for this month now 20 years. 20 years I6:45have been doing6:47>> my business The Empowered Speaker. So I6:48did it I knew exactly what I was going6:49to do. Now how it would look when I had6:51the freedom to really do that was still6:54to be determined. But6:56so that's kind of the the the corporate6:59side of who I am. Like I said I launched7:00my business. I wrote a couple of books7:03in there. And I'd be remiss if I didn't7:05mention the folks that keep it all7:07moving. My husband James and I have been7:09married November will be 32 years.7:12>> Wow, that's amazing. Congrats.7:15>> Thank you. So 32 years we have two7:17babies that are not babies. My daughter7:20Michaela is Oh she just turned7:2428. She's 28. She's in her second year7:27of college. Yes. So she's Yeah,7:30she's7:32So we have a new son-in-law. We have7:35doctor all the things. And so she she7:38like I said she's she's doing her thing.7:39Then our son is 26. So they're 20 months7:42apart. and he is in sales just like his7:44mom, and he is a beast. Uh so, much7:47better than I was. He is just the king7:49of networking and7:51gift of gab and conversation and all the7:53things, so he's fantastic.7:55>> great. That's7:57like really fun.7:57>> three babies, three for a babies.7:59>> Three for a babies. Wow, you got a full8:01house. That's That's amazing. That's8:03That sounds like a nice life.8:05>> It is a great life.8:06>> I want to8:08Can Can I ask you a little bit about8:10what is your So, your business, which8:12was like a side hustle,8:14like the kids like to say, you had a8:169-to-5 and a side hustle,8:18and then now your side hustle became8:20your full-time gig. What What is it that8:23you do? You said it's a speaking8:25company? Like you speak?8:26>> my company is The Empowered Speaker, and8:28I am a leadership communication trainer.8:30So, I help people to become confident8:34communicators. So, think about your8:36professionals. It doesn't matter what8:37industry you're in. You You know,8:39Hattie, communication is critical.8:40Communication is important. And it8:42becomes even more important now that we8:44are so focused as a society on8:46technology. If you ask your Do you have8:49children?8:50>> No. No, kids.8:51>> Okay. Well, if you ask a young person,8:53okay? If you ask a young person, "Hey, I8:55remember I had to ask my kids, 'Have you8:57talked to such and such?'" And they go,8:58"Yeah, I talked to them."8:59>> I texted them.9:02>> And I said, "Did you talk or did you9:03text?"9:04Well, it's the same thing. It is not the9:06same thing. And you notice that people9:08who can do this all day have a whole lot9:11of trouble doing this.9:12>> Yeah.9:12>> And so, it shows up in those9:14environments that you don't have the9:16ability to put your thoughts together,9:17you don't have have the ability to9:19organize your thoughts, communicate in a9:21way, tell a story. What do you do with9:24this body when all of a sudden you're9:25standing in front of people? Hands feel9:27like they weigh 20 lb, all the things.9:29And so, I coach people on how to become9:31confident and dynamic speakers. And I do9:34that predominantly through9:36a program that I have called the9:38Speakers Training Camp. And the Speakers9:40Training Camp in essence says there's9:41three things it takes three things for9:43you to be a confident and dynamic9:44speaker. Steak, sizzle, and style. Steak9:47is all the organization, sizzle is all9:49the things that make your presentation9:50interesting, so storytelling, humor,9:53facts, all the different things.9:55Anything that breaks up the monotony.9:57And then style is all those non-verbals.9:59It's all the things that you shouldn't10:01notice unless you're doing it wrong. So10:03think eye contact, gestures,10:05how do you use your space if you're10:06standing in front of a room? How do you10:08manage Q&A? Because there are people who10:11they can memorize a presentation,10:13they've got their slides, they're ready10:14to go, and they deliver it perfectly10:16until somebody raises their hand and10:18says,10:19I have a question.10:20And everything you you've probably been10:22on that you've been in you've probably10:23been in one of these situations10:24>> well yes, I'm a speaker. It's so funny10:27you say that because I'm I am a speaker10:29also. And um10:32I think in the in when I first started10:34speaking, I was afraid of the Q&A part10:36of things. Like it that wasn't that was10:39the least favorite part of cuz I just10:40never knew what was coming. And you10:43know, and I talk about inclusion and10:45belonging, and I talk about um10:49self-advocacy, I talk about privilege, I10:51talk about um you know,10:54being a good ally. You know, so some10:56some of these topics can be triggering10:59for some people. So I I always got very11:01nervous, and I actually did have a11:03really bad incident once11:05uh of of getting a very challenging and11:08like um accusatory11:11like question during a Q&A once. So so11:15it comes from somewhere, but I had like11:16a really bad experience to the point11:18where I was like, I'm not going to11:20answer that question, and I just sat11:21down. Like I was like, it just was not11:24okay that the question that I was asked.11:26I was like, I'm not even going to11:26engage. Like this is just not11:28I don't choose to engage. And like11:30someone else just was like, here's what11:33you know, let me let me give you some11:34food for thought and and kind of got11:36back to them. But anyway,11:38that being said, I've come a long way.11:41So I've had my business for almost 311:42years11:43over a little over 3 years. And now I11:46look forward to Q&A cuz I feel like11:48um not knowing what they're going to ask11:51me is actually a little bit fun cuz it's11:52like okay, so I already I talk about11:54this kind of the same things a lot. So11:56it's like I look forward to like well,11:57what are you going to ask me that might11:58be new and different. Like that that is12:01interesting to me. So12:01>> You know, one of the things when I my my12:04background is sales. I think I mentioned12:05that. And one of the things that12:08I would always train people on and that12:10I would we would have actively practice12:13before we go into a sales call. So I12:14used to call on accounts like Walmart,12:16Kmart when Kmart was a thing and you12:19know, some of the bigger retailers. And12:21my manager and I at that12:23at one time, he and I used to do what we12:25call a 50/50 session.12:28And so we when we prep for this call12:30that was coming up, we spend 50% of our12:32time putting the presentation together.12:35Like what the slides, what's the graphs,12:36all that stuff. Then we'd spend the12:39other 50% of the time thinking about12:41what are all the potential questions12:43that could possibly be asked based on12:45what we're sharing and or what we have12:47shared in the past. And I will tell you12:50following that process, I cannot12:52remember a time in 2 years that we went12:54into a call and we did not have an12:56answer.12:57>> That's great.12:58>> And that's that it's all about12:59preparation.13:00>> Preparation. Yeah, preparation. Stay13:02ready.13:04Yeah, stay ready.13:05>> Yeah.13:06>> I love that. I actually was kind of I13:09was in a business development support13:11role. So I was like a product manager13:12for a while and then13:14I did I yeah, I would say a lot of the13:16time I was not like the main sales13:18person, but I was there to support13:19someone else and and maybe provide13:22additional services.13:23>> Mhm.13:24>> And so13:25um13:26you know,13:27yeah, we we we didn't we didn't call it13:3050/50, but we also like over breakfast,13:33we'd be like, "Okay, we already know13:34what we're talking about cuz we always13:35talk about the same thing and we we we13:37got that part unlocked."13:38>> Yeah.13:38>> One of these like what's who's going to13:40be in that room? And what are their13:42personalities? And what do they care13:44about? And like what might they ask? And13:46who's going to be a friendly and who is13:48not going to be like it was13:49>> You needed to know that.13:51>> And I love that. That was like my13:52favorite part because you know that then13:54we sit there and we're like, "Uh-huh,13:56they13:56just like we thought this one's13:58complaining just like we thought they14:00would. And this other one is like, you14:02know, we had like a coach. That was14:04someone who was our coach but on the14:06inside. And they were like, "Just want14:08to let you know that this thing needs to14:09be approved three levels up. And you14:12know, if it's going to be this much14:13money, it needs to go to this level."14:15So, you know, they were what we called14:17our coach and we would like call them14:18and be like "So, tell us how this thing14:20works." And like they you know, they14:22were coaching us. That that that was who14:25Like there Did you ever hear of Miller14:26Heiman? I think that's what it was14:28called. It was like a sales14:30I think that's the right name. It was14:31like a sales like14:33a methodology. And they were like blue14:35sheets and green sheets. Does any of14:37this sound familiar? No? Well, we my14:39company subscribed to this and so that14:41that that was how we we had roles and it14:43was like, "This is the executive14:45sponsor." Like that's the person who14:46writes the check. This is the person who14:48we need approval from. Like they're the14:50like they're the user kind of person.14:51And then this is the person who's like14:54you know, like I I I don't remember like14:57if they weren't called the adversary,14:58but they were like the person who's15:00maybe felt like they were going to lose15:02if we won. So, it's like who is that15:04person? Like like you know, like get to15:07understand what it is that they're15:08thinking and their mindset. And anyway,15:11I I loved all of that. Like I was like,15:12"This is so cool." And just like putting15:14it into practice was like I loved it. I15:17I ate it up.15:18>> You loved it because you prepared. The15:19people who don't prepare do not feel15:21that way. I assure you.15:23>> Yeah, well, I mean, you know, you you15:25you only need to walk into one meeting15:27unprepared to decide that you're not15:28going to do that again.15:29>> that part. That part.15:32>> [laughter]15:32>> Yeah. All right, let's talk a little bit15:34about your book. All right, first of15:35all, I love this. Like that was really15:36fun. My my just so you know,15:39our backgrounds are completely15:40different. So, I spent about 30 years15:44working like, you know, traditional15:46work.15:4725 of those years was in corporate and15:49but it was mostly tech and financial15:51services. And then I and I did some15:53consulting. So, it was like all like15:55Salesforce, Cloudflare. And then I15:57worked for BNY Mellon and I worked for15:59JP Morgan Chase. So, you know,16:00also it's a probably a function of where16:03I lived cuz I lived in New York City.16:05So, tech and financial services makes a16:07lot of sense. And then whenever I was16:09like in a tech company, I supported16:11financial services clients. So, I was16:12like always in that space.16:15And um and then but I did take a break.16:17So, I had two deaths in the family. My16:19mother and my sister died a couple of16:21years apart.16:23Yeah, and then I this was maybe like to16:26like16:26a while ago. What what's what we're in16:292020? My mother died in 2008. My sister16:31died in 2011. So, this is a long time16:33ago. Not it didn't happen like the other16:34day, but16:35when they passed, you know, that's the16:37kind of thing that really makes you look16:39at life and and like re-evaluate and you16:42know, and decide like, what am I doing?16:44Like am I is this how I really want to16:46spend my days? Like is this why I'm16:48here? This this why I was born to do16:50this? And so, I ended up like going on16:53mission. I I just decided that I was16:54going to be like this international16:56volunteer and I moved overseas and I and16:58I work with incarcerated and formerly17:00incarcerated women for 2 years. And I17:02was really amazing and surprising like17:05I like, you know,17:07um17:08I don't know if I would call it code17:10switched, but I was just like pivoted I17:12is probably the better word. I I pivoted17:15from 20 years in corporate to go hang17:17out in a jail with women.17:18>> That's right.17:18>> And I and it was and and I was fine. I17:20was like, okay, yeah, this is great, you17:21know, and I started a community for them17:24and did the whole nine.17:25>> Mhm.17:25>> And then when I left, I decided that I17:28wanted to continue in the nonprofit17:29space. So I worked at a at an elementary17:32school in the South Bronx here in New17:33York City.17:34And um and I was a community school17:36director. So I was like working with the17:38families and the parents and the17:39children and I started a mental health17:41clinic at the school and we did after17:43school programming and adult education.17:45We had a food pantry. We had clubs for17:47the parents. It was amazing. And so and17:50then I was kind of broke. So then I17:52said, I'm going to go back to corporate.17:54>> [laughter]17:54>> But in the back of my mind, I was like,17:55where's the money coming from?17:57>> Yeah, so then I was I was broke and he17:58broke uh and and I said, okay, I need to18:01come back to I need to go back to18:03corporate, but I feel like I'm I'm kind18:05of a different person and I wonder how18:07that's going to show up for me. And I'm18:09not exactly sure all the ways it showed18:11up for me, but I definitely feel like18:13I am someone who really wants to make18:16sure that my customers and I've and I18:19like I said, I've always been18:20customer-facing whether it's business18:22development or product development or I18:25did a lot of customer success work. But18:27when whatever role I was in, I was18:28wanting to make sure that my customers18:30felt really seen and heard.18:32>> Yeah.18:32>> And that you know, that was like the18:33most important thing. Like they were18:34like my most special customer and I18:36really feel like they felt that way. And18:38you know, some of them were really big18:39clients.18:40>> Yeah.18:40>> So they they really didn't need to feel18:42that way, but I made every one of them18:43feel that way. And so um I think that's18:46one of the things that transferred over18:48from like the work that I did was like18:50you know, um18:52just making people feel seen and that18:54that's a that's kind of a through line18:55for me even in like the employee18:57resource uh group work that I did. I did18:59a lot of work with the ERGs and it was19:01always like, you know, I want other in19:04the case of for me, I'm Latina19:06identifies Latina, I was always part of19:08Latina Latinx ERGs. I always wanted the19:10Latinx employees to feel seen and heard.19:12Like I'm like, this is your home. Like19:14this is you know, you belong here too19:15and we're this is our safe space to19:18figure it out and to help each other and19:20support each other on our journey. So, I19:22think I think that when I came back, I19:25mean I think I was always like had that19:27in me but it was I I kind of gave myself19:30permission to to like even do it more.19:32>> Yeah, to embrace it.19:34>> Yeah, and also I think as19:36since I think we're kind of the same19:37age-ish,19:39I think as you get older you're like19:41care a little bit less about like19:43following rules and like making other19:45people feel good and it's like people19:47the people pleasing is like we're just19:50taling that. We're going to like just19:52show up the way we feel like is the19:53appropriate way to show up based on you19:56know, how we feel and what we think is19:57right for the situation. So,19:59>> Well said. Well said.20:00>> Yeah.20:01>> [laughter]20:02>> All right, so let's let's talk a little20:03bit about your book.20:05Do you mind telling me a little bit20:08about like what led you I don't know if20:10there was a situation in your life. I20:12mentioned like20:13when I lost my mom and my sister but I20:14don't know if you had a particular20:16situation in your own life that led you20:17to write the book.20:19Um but I would love to hear you know,20:21where the idea came from.20:22>> Yeah, I have I actually two two20:24different20:26two books two different reasons.20:28So, the first book I wrote in 2010.20:31And I started my business the Empowered20:33Speaker in 2006 closer to 2007.20:37And when I20:40I don't really love to write. Okay, so20:43put that out there.20:44>> [laughter]20:44>> I never imagined myself writing a book.20:47I just I look at the book covers and I20:50go, "Huh, yeah, I did that." But that20:54was never that was never my plan. So, my20:56first book I literally wrote it because20:59I was trying to grow my speaking21:02business and I was convinced that that21:04was going going me have some clear you21:06know, some credibility, increase21:08credibility. That's how people are21:09positioning it. You know, have a book,21:11increases your credibility and opens the21:13doors to all these things.21:14So, I ended up21:16I forget And Dana [clears throat] Kosic21:18is the name Gosh, I think she has been21:20in my inbox for at least 20 years. And21:23she's a writing coach as well, but she's21:24one of those I didn't like one-on-one21:27coach with her. It was I follow her21:29stuff. She's And she gave these ideas of21:31different types of books you could write21:32quickly. Her big platform at that time21:35was write a book in a weekend. Now, I21:36didn't write mine in a weekend, but that21:38was her That was her whole pitch. And as21:41I was kind of listening and reading her21:43emails, I was like, "Oh,21:45so I don't have to do anything deep?21:47I can do that."21:48And that's how I ended up writing the21:50first book, but I say all that so it21:53wasn't just all, let me just put21:54something out there. I have always had a21:56passion for21:58seeing people achieve their dreams.22:00Don't know where it comes from, but that22:02has always been a point of passion for22:04me. If you come to me and say, "Christy,22:07I'm thinking about22:08My wheels start turning. I have ideated22:10the whole thing for you. Let's do this,22:12this, this."22:12>> [laughter]22:13>> And then22:13that is just me. I get excited22:15>> Yes.22:16>> about seeing people walk in their22:17purpose and achieving their dreams. So,22:19that is why I wrote the type of book22:21that I wrote. So, I could have written22:23anything just cuz I was trying to get22:24something out there, right? But that22:26book started down the path of here's22:29what it reflects what I'm really22:31passionate about, okay? So, that's22:33really why I wrote the first book. It22:35was truly for credibility first.22:38And then I remember a couple things as I22:40think about the second book. So, I wrote22:43that first book. I grew up in in North22:45Carolina, and I remember going to church22:49when I was home visiting.22:51And this lady said to me, "Christy, I22:54love your book. I love your book,22:57but I didn't learn anything about you in22:59that book."23:00>> Mhm.23:01>> And I was like, "Well, that was by23:02design, but I didn't say that.23:04[laughter]23:05>> I see.23:06>> And my mom was like, I don't need people23:07to know everything about Kristia.23:10And she said, but I don't know anything23:12about you.23:13And it stuck in my head cuz clearly I23:15still remember, stuck in my head. And I23:17was like,23:18well, if I ever write another one.23:20But in the writing of the first book, I23:22had a whole lot of other content that I23:26didn't use, obviously. It's a pretty23:27short book, like 95 pages or something,23:29but it's pretty short book.23:31So, I still had a lot of content and at23:32some point I was like,23:35you know. But, here's what really23:37happened23:38for the second book. So, I had that in23:40the back of my mind.23:42And when I wrote the first book, God had23:45given me the vision to host a23:46conference, conference around that whole23:48faith to conquer fear concept.23:51And for years, 3 years actually, I23:54pretended that I didn't hear it.23:56You know how you hear something and23:57you're like,23:58nope,23:59nope, nope, don't want to do this.24:01And so finally, I'm on the phone. I had24:04met this lady via LinkedIn. We decided24:07to hop on a call and at that time Skype24:09was the thing. We hopped on the call.24:11She was based in Australia. I was here24:13on a Saturday morning24:15cuz we just communicated and she was24:17like, hey, let's just24:18let's just talk. See what we're See what24:20both of us are about. So, we're on the24:22Skype call and she's talking about all24:24the things she's working on, I'm talking24:26about all the things I'm working on and24:27I said to her,24:29I have this vision for a workshop,24:32but I'm afraid to do it. She's like,24:34hypothetically, if you were to do this24:36workshop, it's the same trick I use. I24:38fell for it though. Hypothetically, if24:40you were to do this workshop,24:42what would it look like?24:44So, I proceeded to tell her from the24:45time 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.24:49I do minute by minute, here's the24:51>> You have the You have the whole agenda.24:53>> I had the speakers. I I had it. And she24:56said,24:57well, great. I'm going to be in the US24:59in April." This was in December. She's25:01like, "I'm going to be in the US in in25:02April.25:03We're doing this, and I'm going to be25:05one of your speakers."25:08My heart, my insides were like mush. I25:13broke out into a sweat. I'm thinking,25:14"Oh my god, I have procrastinated this25:17for 3 years. Now you want to just turn25:19this around in 3 months?"25:21>> Mhm.25:22>> And all I could say was, "Okay."25:25"Okay." So, I did that conference.25:29And I did that conference for two,25:31three, two or three years.25:33But then I got ahead of myself. Or let25:36me say this, I got ahead of God. Because25:38I had done it here in Cincinnati,25:39Northern Kentucky area, and it was fine.25:42And it was powerful, and I said, "It's25:44time to expand it. It's time to get out25:47of the Cincinnati area. I'm going to25:48take this to North Carolina."25:51And when I tell you,25:55for all the marketing I was doing, and25:57my hometown, to be clear. Now, I've been26:00gone a few years, but still my hometown.26:02One person signed up. One person26:03>> Wow. Listen, I got a I got a story like26:06that, too. That happens. What do you26:09What What do you So, what what do you26:10think you took that to mean that you got26:12ahead of God's plan for you?26:14>> Be- because it was I was You know what?26:16A pastor, my I consider her my spiritual26:19mom. She And she was supposed to be one26:20of my guests.26:22Cuz I called her and I said,26:24"I'm going to have to cancel this26:25thing."26:26>> Yeah.26:26>> Cuz it's coming up like I'm not going to26:28keep doing26:28>> Yeah, it's not it's not happening the26:29way you hoped it would.26:31>> she said, "when you are having to strive26:35this hard, God's grace is not on it."26:38>> Mhm.26:39>> And I said, "Huh." Now, the prideful26:42part of me was like, "But what are26:44people going to think? That I've been26:46promoting it and all this26:47>> Yeah, oh well.26:49>> She said, "You have one person signed26:50up. Do you really think that somebody26:52>> Yeah, doesn't matter.26:53>> And I know AND I JUST GOT I MEAN MY26:55LITTLE FEELINGS WERE HURT, ALL the26:57things, but she said all the right26:58things. Cuz27:00>> Yeah.27:01That's That's That's such a powerful27:02lesson. That's such a powerful lesson.27:04Yeah.27:06>> Getting back to why the second book.27:09So for me that was really a blow because27:11in my mind that is how my ministry was27:14going to to work through that27:16conference, this whole faith to conquer27:17fear thing. That's That was the path.27:20And when that kind of Well, that didn't27:22kind of fail. When that failed,27:24>> Mhm.27:24>> I I literally said, "Lord, I don't know27:26what I'm supposed to do now. I am lost."27:29>> Yes.27:29>> in corporate America doing our thing.27:31I am lost. I have no idea what to do.27:34And I heard him very clearly say,27:35"Write."27:37And I was like, "I know that wasn't me27:39because I don't LIKE TO WRITE."27:41>> [laughter]27:43>> AND THEN I SAID AGAIN, I SAID, "OKAY,27:45I'M NOT I'm going to pretend I didn't27:46even hear that cuz I'm good at that. I'm27:48going to pretend I didn't hear that." So27:49I'm giving him and hawing and asking27:51again.27:52God, I need your help. What do I need to27:54do? What am I supposed to be doing now27:55cuz my life has purpose. It's not just27:57to work in corporate America. What am I27:58supposed to do?27:58>> Yep. Yes.27:59>> Again, write.28:02All right. So that's when I started28:04writing the second book.28:06>> Mhm.28:06>> Then in 2015,28:08all of a sudden I was like, "I got28:10nothing else to say." I just ran out I28:11mean I The book was probably 80% done28:13and I was like,28:15"Yep, I'm empty. I don't have anything28:17else."28:18And then but it wasn't ready to be28:20published. I knew it wasn't prime time,28:22but I was like, "I don't have anything28:23else to say." So I just let it sit28:24there.28:25And then28:26um28:28ended up publishing it again in 2017.28:30That's when I published it. 2016 had28:32some health challenges, life you know,28:34life be life-ing as they say.28:37>> Mhm.28:37>> And I ended up having to have28:40one of my thyroids removed.28:42>> Mhm.28:42>> And in that 3 weeks while I was on28:45leave,28:46on disability, I finished that book.28:49>> Wow.28:50>> Finished it and sent it off to the28:52publisher.28:53In that 3 weeks.28:54>> That's wild.28:55>> Yeah. So,28:56>> That's a good story.28:57>> Yeah, well, it's a story. Well, THAT'S A28:59GOOD STORY.29:02>> AND THERE'S SO much to take away from29:03that cuz it's like29:05listen to, you know, you have to deeply29:07listen to what your assignment is.29:10>> Yes.29:11>> And you also have to be, I guess, a29:13willing participant. And sometimes we29:15resist for whatever reason we have29:17resistance to to the callings that we29:21receive and we have to kind of learn our29:23lesson, learn, you know, learn and say,29:25"Okay, well, you see, like that wasn't29:27the direction I told you to go. Come29:29back this way."29:30>> Come back this way.29:30>> So, so yeah, that's all really powerful.29:33Um29:34My my one person showing up was a little29:37bit different from yours. It was related29:39to a book event. So, I did a book event29:40in Philly.29:42And I had like this great, um, author29:45was my conversation partner and the29:46bookstore is, you know, they're like a29:48Puerto Rican bookstore. I'm Puerto29:50Rican, they're Puerto Rican bookstore in29:51Philly. And I'm thinking, I'm not from29:54Philly, I'm from New York, I'm from29:55Brooklyn. So, I'm like, I'm just going29:57to go and they're, you know, everybody29:59will be there.30:00One person showed up.30:02And so, you know, I was like, "Wow, that30:05that was humbling. Let's Let's Let's30:07start there. That [laughter] was30:08humbling."30:09And then we just, you know, I remember30:11turning to the the my conversation30:13partner who was also an author, who was30:15also my friend. I'm like, "What do we30:16do?" She's like, "We're going to have30:17the the event with her."30:18We're going to do the event with her.30:20We're just going to do it in a circle.30:21Instead of talking at her, we're just30:22going to do a small circle and we're30:24just going to talk.30:25And we had the event. And then, listen30:28to what happened cuz what we talked30:29about this backstage, lo que pa' ti30:31nadie te lo quita, I was telling you30:33before, what's meant for you is not30:34going to pass you by, right? So, I was30:36like, the bookstore had already bought30:38my books and they just had me sign them.30:39So, it's like, at the end, I didn't lose30:41anything in that whole deal cuz it's30:43like they already bought the books that30:44they were going to and they were going30:46to have them there. And I signed them30:48all so it's like it's done.30:49But30:51I shared the story in a you know, I30:53didn't say this was a humbling30:55experience as a first-time author. Like30:57no one like I had one person show up at30:58my book event, but like thankfully I had31:01a more experienced author who was just31:02like what you know, show must go on.31:04We're just going to have it with her.31:05And we you know, we ended up having a31:07very she the the the person who came31:10had kind of like a domestic violence31:12background. Like so it was like a very31:15you know, we were all crying kind of31:16thing. Like it was a very profound thing31:18and we probably couldn't have had that31:20conversation if we had a room full of31:23people. So again, you know, the universe31:26works in mysterious ways. Sometimes we31:28don't know why things happen the way31:29they do.31:30But when I shared it on Substack31:34everybody was like drop the URL cuz31:36we're going to buy your book. And I I31:39went like mini viral on Substack and31:41like I don't know how many people bought31:43my book.31:44And I was like what a blessing. God31:45bless me.31:46Like everything happened how it was31:48supposed to happen.31:50Yeah, and I was like you I have to just31:52trust. Like I can't I can't I can't like31:55everything you know, my I have a really31:56good friend and and she and I talk a lot31:58about how31:59>> [snorts]32:00>> we want things32:01the way we expect them and sometimes32:03they happen they're delivered in a32:05different way. Yeah, they're yeah,32:07they're delivered in a different way.32:08We're like wait, this is not what I32:09thought. It's like but this is what it32:10is. You said you wanted to be healed.32:12I'm healing you. Like don't ask32:14questions.32:15>> [laughter]32:17>> Yeah.32:19Yeah, so that was really powerful.32:23Thank you. I know it was it was a really32:25powerful story. I I don't forget that.32:27Like how that like that happened to me32:28and and I'm like wow, that was so cool32:29the way that went down.32:31Um what the books sound like they're32:34pretty related. What's the difference32:35between the two books? Like what do they32:37go together? Are they like companion32:39books?32:40>> No, I would say no.32:42>> So they're stand-alone independent.32:44>> are stand-alone and they I think serve32:46very different purposes. So my first32:48one, Faith to Conquer Fear, Inspiration32:49to Achieve Your Dreams, is a compilation32:52of quotes, anecdotes, biblical32:54references, and stories all to inspire32:57people32:57>> Ah.32:59>> God-given purpose.33:00>> That's why that lady said, "We don't33:02know you." Cuz [laughter] it wasn't33:03personal. It was just like, "Look over33:05there. Look over here. Look over here."33:07>> You got it, honey.33:09Um so yeah, so that one is is very much33:12reference. So there's different chapters33:14>> Okay. That's nice. Sounds nice.33:16>> And people who have purchased that book,33:18literally I've had people say, "I keep33:20this at my desk because there's a lot of33:21inspirational quotes." Or I keep this by33:23my bedside33:25or whatever. Okay, so it is truly for33:27inspiration.33:30The second book, Faith to Conquer Fear,33:31The Journey, which is my Amazon33:32bestseller, that one is activation. So33:35first one is inspiration, this one is33:37activation. So what I tell people is if33:40you just read the book,33:42you will learn a lot about Christie.33:45Miss Andy Jeffries, I'll give her a33:46shout-out.33:47So you will learn a lot about Christie,33:49but if you do the book, you will learn a33:52lot about yourself.33:54So it is a book that is focused on how33:57do you conquer fear? So the first book33:59doesn't talk about conquering faith.34:00It's called Faith to Conquer Fear,34:02Inspiration to Achieve Your Dreams. But34:04this one is Faith to Conquer Fear, The34:06Journey. So what is the journey to being34:09able to achieve your dreams?34:10>> Got it.34:10>> It includes how do you conquer your34:12fear? So my first three chapters are34:13spent34:15literally on the first three steps,34:17which I call the art of conquering fear.34:20And that's what the first three chapters34:21are about34:23as you start that book.34:25And so the the the three steps34:27high-level is First you have to34:28acknowledge that you have fear. The34:30second is you have to understand the34:32root causes of the fear, so the R, and34:34then the last one is take action.34:36So, those are the three steps in those34:38first three chapters really expands34:39that. And I've had so many people say,34:41"Christie, I thought this was going to34:42be a quick read." Cuz again, another34:4490-ish, you know,34:46>> Yeah, but this one you got to you got to34:48do the work.34:48>> You got to do the work. And people say,34:51"I'm still on chapter two." Which is34:53understanding the root cause. I'm still34:56on chapter two. Well, you going to be34:57there because you got to figure out that35:00part in order to know what to do moving35:02forward.35:02>> That's to keep moving, to put to35:03progress. Yeah. That makes sense.35:06>> Yeah, so that's my favorite one. People35:07always say, "Which one should I buy?"35:09Well, you should buy both. But my35:11favorite one that really drives change35:14>> Is the is the second one. Okay. All35:16right. Well, that sounds lovely. Good.35:18We're going to we're we'll drop the the35:20URL for people to buy it. We'll we'll do35:22that later on the LinkedIn. So, um35:25people know that you can just check the35:26comments. If you're playing this back,35:29you're listening to the replay, just35:30check the the comment section and you'll35:32see the URL to buy Ms. Christie's book.35:34Okay.35:35Um35:37I want to ask you we have probably like35:3910 15 more minutes. So, I want to ask35:41you um so I have like a list of35:44questions. I'm trying to think what I'm35:45going to ask you next. But um35:48Could you describe a little bit about um35:51having to put in the work even while35:53trusting God's plan, the universe's35:56plan? Like Like how do you help people36:00um find that balance between faith and36:03personal effort? And I I this is a I36:06think this is a good question because I36:08talk a lot about staying ready. And I36:10also talk a lot about what's meant for36:12you is not going to pass you by. And I36:14think those two things go together. I36:15don't think it's like one or the other.36:17It's like you stay ready or you trust36:19that something good is meant for you.36:21But it's like both things. Like you36:23trust that something good is coming and36:24you're like and then you help the36:27universe by staying ready by like36:29learning, being curious,36:31>> Mhm.36:32>> learning from other people. I don't36:33know, do doing the work. So, how do you36:35do how do you see it?36:37>> I think you're you're you're answering36:39you're answering your own question.36:41Um36:43Faith is this very broad topic, right?36:46Everyone's like, do I have faith?36:48Everybody, the Bible says that everybody36:50has a measure of faith. So, nobody's36:53walking around here without faith.36:55Everybody has a measure of faith.36:56>> is that the thing with the mustard seed?36:59Is that the or are you thinking about a37:00different one?37:01>> no, two different37:01>> Okay.37:03>> [laughter]37:03>> TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.37:04>> OKAY.37:06>> NOW, THE MUSTARD seed is if you have37:07faith the size of a mustard seed,37:09>> Yeah. You have the all the faith you37:10need.37:11>> all the things. Yeah, right.37:12>> Yeah.37:12>> But, so faith is a very very broad topic37:14and and people go, "Oh my god, my faith37:16is so low." Well, it could be because37:18you're not exercising it because faith37:20is also like a muscle.37:22Everybody starts with faith. The Bible37:24says that everybody has faith a level a37:27measure of faith. But, some people you37:30will notice exhibit more faith than37:32others. Sometimes that faith grows37:34because of search circumstances,37:36situations, life, all the things. I'll37:38give you a example of this. So, back in37:422021,37:44so we're still [clears throat] COVID-ish37:46area era.37:48My Well, during COVID, let me start with37:50that. During COVID, I'm like everybody37:52else. We're I'm stuck in the basement.37:54And37:56I I recognize that COVID was not a great37:58time for other for lots of people, okay?38:00And so, I'm not discounting the losses38:02that people had and all the things that38:03happened. For me, COVID was such a38:07period of time where I my spirituality38:10grew. I was working out. I mean, I was38:13doing all the things, but it's just38:15everything about me just kind of rose to38:17a higher level doing during COVID38:19because I didn't have those distractions38:21of commuting and da da da. And actually,38:23we're often college so I didn't have38:24kids at home that I had to try home38:26school. We didn't have anything. My38:27husband is a teacher who's in the school38:29system. So he was having to go to work38:31every day. He was an administrator. So38:32he was having to go to work every day.38:33So I didn't have all the challenges that38:35people had about oh me and my husband we38:38hate each other now none of that cuz it38:40was just me.38:41>> [laughter]38:41>> Yeah, it was a single party one.38:43I'm having a great time.38:44>> Right? So all these things and my38:47spirituality like I said really grew38:49during that window of time.38:51Well,38:52then just so happens38:54in 20 October of 2021, my husband got an38:57infection in his foot38:59and had to have his foot amputated.39:02>> Mhm.39:02>> Actually calf down amputated.39:05Now, I had faith39:08cuz I grew up in the church all the39:09things. I I knew all about faith and I'd39:11had my own experiences and stuff.39:13But I will tell you when you will talk39:15about when you think your husband39:17is about to die because of a39:20flesh-eating bacteria39:22while he's in the hospital you see your39:23whole life changing39:26that that puts you in a very different39:28perspective.39:28>> It's a big test.39:29>> It's a huge test. It's a huge test, but39:32I will tell you I would not have been39:34prepared for that test had I not had39:36that window of time during COVID.39:38>> Mhm.39:39>> Cuz I you think you're ready until test39:42comes, right? That's any test. You think39:44you prepared and did all things. No, I39:45had prepared. I just didn't know what I39:47was preparing for.39:48>> Mhm.39:49>> So when you talk about putting in the39:51work in that case the putting in the39:53work for me was my prayer life. Making39:56sure that I was doing all the things39:58that builds the relationship with God so39:59that I can hear from him40:01and that he hears me.40:03>> Mhm.40:03>> I'm reading my word. I'm doing you know40:05all the things that help that's the how40:07you exercise, right? That's how you40:09prepare. That's how you put in the work.40:11So that when those situations come40:14you're not40:16tossed to and fro as the Bible says.40:18You're not tossed to and fro because you40:20have a firm foundation.40:22>> Yeah.40:22>> Faith should be like a root, like a tree40:24trunk. You should be at the point where40:27that's the goal. Let me say should.40:28That's the goal is to be firm enough so40:30that things are going to happen. Honey,40:32we know that, right? This is life. You40:34live long enough, someone's going to40:35pass away. You know, some accident is40:38going to happen. Jobs are going to be40:39lost. Money's going to flow. All the40:41things are going to happen. And there is40:44nothing that says God Jesus had emotion.40:47God had emotion. So, there's nothing40:49that says we can't be emotional about40:50things, but we can't be emotional to the40:53point where we it's debilitating.40:56Where we can't move forward, we can't40:57think, we lose all hope.40:59>> Mhm.41:00>> That's what faith does for us is gives41:01us that hope, that trust, that belief41:04that God is going to sustain us before,41:07during, and after any storm that might41:10come along.41:11So, when I talk about putting in the41:12work, it is what is the relationship41:14that we're building so that when times41:18of trouble come, and they41:19[clears throat] will,41:20>> Mhm.41:21>> we are ready and our faith is to sustain41:24us.41:24>> Oh, what a what a That's so good. That's41:27really powerful. And I love that what41:30you said about you were preparing, but41:32you didn't know what you were preparing41:33for.41:34You just knew that you were41:36that that the universe was preparing you41:38for something.41:39>> Yes.41:39>> And then you were ready. Wow, that's41:41really powerful. Thank you for sharing.41:43>> glad to be ready. Let me tell you.41:44That's what I'm going to be ready for.41:46>> Yes. Oh, I could tell you stories, but41:50we have about 5 minutes left, so I41:51won't.41:52But um I appreciate you sharing that41:55really beautiful story with us.41:57Um41:58if someone I'm going to kind of42:01start to close us out, and then I want42:02to ask you a a few rapid-fire questions.42:04But if someone is in the middle of their42:05own storm right now, let's say like you42:08said, you know, we get we We we tested.42:11Someone's getting tested right now, and42:12they're and they're like feel like42:14they're in the middle of a storm. What's42:15the What's like a small step that they42:17can take today to kind of get up back on42:20the right path?42:21>> Yeah.42:21>> Not feel like they're42:23they're lost.42:24>> Yeah.42:25You know, I won't tell them what to do.42:27I will tell you what I did.42:29Okay? And for me, it is about42:33two or three things. Number one,42:36be okay with your emotions.42:38Okay, be okay with your emotions for the42:39moment. Acknowledge where you are cuz42:42you know when you're in the middle of42:43the storm. You can see a storm coming,42:45but you know when you're in the middle42:46of it.42:46>> Yeah.42:48And and some of those feelings might be42:49like I'm mad. I'm angry.42:52Um I feel like confused like lost,42:55confused, or like, you know, this is I'm42:57not sure what's coming.42:59>> Yeah.42:59>> And and that that's really scary. So,43:01I'm afraid. I'm nervous. I'm fearful.43:03>> And all those43:05things are valid and God understands all43:07of them.43:08The the thing that most of us want to do43:11is human nature. When we're in the43:12middle of a storm, the first thing we43:13want to do is pray for God get us out of43:15this storm.43:16>> Yeah.43:17>> Like I don't want to be here. I saw it43:19coming. I'm here. I don't want TO BE43:21HERE. [laughter]43:22>> COME AND GET ME.43:24YEAH. COME AND GET ME.43:26>> YEAH, that's that's what I need.43:27>> Send the send the thingy.43:29>> So, yeah, send the thingy. Send the43:30boat. Send help.43:32But we also need to be in the moment43:34understanding that we are probably in43:35the storm for a reason.43:37>> Mhm.43:38>> And whether we know it or not, there's43:39something that we should be learning,43:42gleaning, growing from in the midst of43:44the storm.43:46It is not the place we want to be, but43:47since we're here,43:49since we're here, try to have that again43:52back to the relationship and the43:53preparation up to this point. When we're43:56in the storm, that is not the time. Now,43:58sometimes it happens, but that's not the43:59time for you to figure out Now, somebody44:01said I should pray.44:03I mean, ideally, you've been you you're44:06developing a prayer life44:07>> Yeah, you have TO PRACTICE.44:09YEAH.44:12YEAH.44:15YES, THAT'S RIGHT. I WAS going to say so44:17for some people that44:18that is the moment where they decide,44:20"Okay, now I think I am going to start44:22doing this thing."44:23Yeah.44:29At the end of the day it is going to44:30come down to the relationship that you44:32have44:33with God. Yeah.44:41Yeah.44:46And then44:51Yeah, so powerful.44:54I I wanted to share that it's44:55interesting you said about what am I44:56supposed to be learning. I know like44:58when I lost my mom and my sister45:00I felt like I was a little old too45:02familiar with death. But then like a45:05friend of mine, father was dying45:07and I could be there for her cuz I had45:09just went through it. And I remember45:11visiting him45:12and you know45:15like45:16it was such a special moment. Something45:18I saw something in him that was like45:20taking me back to the people that I had45:22lost and45:23I don't know like45:25I behaved in a way that was very um45:28new to me. Like I was not afraid of45:30looking at death and someone that was45:32dying. Like I was like all of a sudden45:33I'm like, "Get me in the room. Get the45:35Get me in, coach. Like I I want to be45:37there." And yeah, so not only was I45:39there for her, but I could be with him45:41and be like, "God loves you and you45:44know,45:45you you had a beautiful life." And you45:47know, I don't I don't even remember the45:48things I said. Like I said, it wasn't45:50even me. I don't even know who was that45:52person that was saying those things.45:54But like I got brave and I'm like, you45:57know, people don't like death. That much45:59I've learned. And people and I'm saying46:01even people to say, "Sorry, I heard of46:02then you lost your mother like some46:04people never told me that cuz they were46:05too scared to tell me.46:07Or too nervous too uncomfortable and so46:09I know people have a lot of discomfort46:11with death and I was like the one46:12stepping up. Like there were a couple46:14things that happened during that time of46:16people some of a colleague of mine lost46:18his wife to cancer and I had lost my46:19sister to cancer and I was like front46:22and center with him and you know and I46:24remember him being like you were the one46:25that was I and he I wasn't even good46:26friends with him.46:28Yeah and I wasn't even good friends with46:29him but like46:31It's just like I knew46:33all too well what it was like and I'm46:35like I I'm not going to dismiss this or46:37ignore that this is right in front of46:39me. I'm going to say something I'm going46:40to do something and anyway so I feel46:42like it was a you know that those46:45moments prepared me for other things46:47other ways that I could be of service to46:49friends and colleagues so it was a46:50really interesting time. Um46:53All right so I'm going to I'm going to I46:55am going to ask you to tell us about46:57where we can find your book but I'm46:58going to save that for the end. I want46:59to ask you one or two rapid fire47:01questions real quick. So47:03The first is is there a Bible verse or47:05scripture that you find yourself47:07returning to again and again that's47:09really you love?47:11>> I'll pick the one that's on the back of47:12my book which is Jeremiah 29:11. For I47:15know the plans I have for you says the47:17Lord.47:18>> What is it Is it Is it something to47:20prosper and not something47:22>> Plans to prosper you and not to harm you47:24plans to47:24>> Yes.47:24>> hope and a future.47:26>> Yeah I love that that's beautiful. Yeah47:28that's gorgeous. Love that.47:30Um47:32What's a guilty pleasure that47:35what's a guilty pleasure47:37that you never admit to loving47:39in terms of like a show a show sorry.47:41What's a guilty pleasure show that you47:43never admit to loving? I just completely47:45changed the topic by the way but we're47:47going to47:48since this is rapid since this is rapid47:49fire we're going to hop hop a little47:51around so47:52>> That's fine that's fine.47:53>> Do you listen to Do you listen to47:54Michelle Obama's uh47:57>> I don't but I listen to her book, but I47:58didn't have listened to her.47:59>> Oh, okay, cuz she has a podcast called48:01IMO, In My Opinion, with her brother48:02Craig.48:03>> Uh-huh.48:03>> And um [clears throat]48:04that she she talks she loves reality TV.48:07And it's you know, and it's like you48:09don't expect she's like this is the48:10first lady, and it's like but she loves48:11all that trashy stuff. She loves it. And48:13anybody who comes she's always like,48:15"What do you watch?" And they're like48:16everybody that comes watches the same48:18thing she does. And like Craig is like48:21"What? Y'all are so educated and so" And48:24it's like "Dude, but that's WHY WE WATCH48:26IT CUZ we like need a break from like48:28all the seriousness of life."48:30Yeah, Craig don't get it, but it's48:32really funny.48:32>> that kind of stuff. I don't like that48:34kind of stuff. I48:35don't like it. I'm just honestly I'm48:36just like48:37>> [laughter]48:37>> I like I cannot believe that people do48:39that, but okay.48:40>> Is there anything Is there any show that48:41you really love?48:42>> I love lots of I'm I'm a big Harlan48:45Coben limited series on Netflix. If you48:48go just type anything he puts out or48:50Netflix puts out with him that's six48:52episodes, eight episodes.48:54>> Okay, cool. That's good to know. All48:55right, well we'll we'll look out for48:57that then. How about48:59What's the last thing that tested your49:01own faith?49:04>> Retirement.49:06>> Mhm, yeah, I would imagine. I have a lot49:08of friends that are starting to retire49:10now, so49:11um yeah, and they're it's it's you know,49:14it's a big change.49:15>> It's a huge change.49:16>> It's a huge change, and I think it it49:18has a lot to cuz so many people um49:21they identify so deeply with the work49:24that they do and the role that they49:25play. You know, I had a friend who just49:27retired who's a teacher, and it's like49:28she's been a teacher her whole life.49:29>> Mhm.49:30>> That's all she's ever done. So, now49:31she's not a teacher, she's a retired49:32teacher.49:33And you know, she still does like some49:35tutoring, but she's not a teacher49:37anymore, and it's like yeah, it's it's49:38different. Yeah. If fear had a theme49:41song, what would it be?49:42>> Oh, I have no idea.49:45>> [laughter]49:48>> Something scary. I have no idea.49:50>> Okay, no worries.49:52Um49:53I'm going to ask you to fill in the49:54blank. Faith feels like49:56>> a weight.49:58>> Mhm.49:59>> Feels like a weight.50:01Yep, the longer you carry it around, the50:02more it impacts every area of your life.50:05>> Amazing. Well, that's good to know.50:08Um so, where where can people find you50:10find your books and how can they like if50:12there's someone out here that is looking50:14to50:15um bring in a communications leadership50:18coach to work with their team, how would50:20they find you?50:21>> Everything can be found on my website,50:23which is empoweredspeaker.com.50:26So, once you go there, you'll be able to50:28see my one-on-one coaching, you'll see50:30my small group coaching, you will see my50:32keynotes. You'll also see if you scroll50:35down on the homepage, you'll see where50:37you can access my books either ordering50:40from me directly, which gives you a50:41signed copy, or you can order both books50:43on Amazon.50:45>> Amazing.50:46>> And I will say this really quickly, if50:47you look as soon as you hit my website,50:49you'll notice at the top that I have50:50another small group coming up, which is50:52just four people in a four-week highly50:55interactive50:57speakers training camp cohort coming up51:00in October. So, registration for that51:02ends September the 24th and I already51:06two of the four spots filled, so51:08>> Okay, so three weeks to get the nerve to51:10sign up and it's only two more people.51:14Since you're talking about that, I'll51:15let people know that Kayalita No More is51:17turning 1 year old in 2 weeks and to51:20celebrate, I'm giving away 10051:23copies of my ebook, so you could go to51:25Goodreads and you could sign up and I51:27and I shared that link. I'll share the51:30I'll just drop that link on in the in51:32the comments as well. So, if you're51:33interested in the book, getting a51:35digital copy of the book, um51:38you can sign up. I don't know how the51:39giveaway works exactly, so don't come at51:42me, but just sign up and get a chance to51:44win.51:45All right, well, let's51:47audience, we're going to say goodbye.51:48So, chow, adios. Christie, if you want51:51to say goodbye and then Christie and I51:53we're going to stay on though cuz we're51:54going to go do some stuff backstage. All51:56right, everybody. Chow.51:57>> Thank you, Heidi.
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