MINDSET ZONE

"You can find nature everywhere if you look. The the impetus for this tree hugging capitalism was, yes, protecting nature, but also valuing people." -Nicole Fende In this episode, Ana Melikian is joined by Nicole Fende, a former CFO and investment banker turned business coach for creatives. Co-founder of Creatopia, Nicole, shares her refreshing perspective on "tree-hugging capitalism," where making money goes hand in hand with caring for nature and championing social causes and creativity. Nicole delves into how her background in hardcore numbers intertwined with her love for nature led her to reshape the concept of success in the business realm. The pair discuss fair trade practices, the undervalued importance of nurturing people and the planet, and the potentially transformative impact of these practices on the environment and on business values. Nicole emphasizes the unique role AI plays for creatives, suggesting it will enhance the value of human creations, while Ana underscores the necessity of human voice in steering AI and business in a direction that uncovers and uplifts human potential. Nicole shares the inception of Creatopia, a creative community and resource haven founded to help creatives achieve sustainable prosperity without sacrificing their artistic integrity. Highlighting the power of community-based business models, Nicole illustrates that profits do not have to be at odds with values. This episode also comes with a special quiz crafted by Nicole Fende, designed to identify what's blocking your creativity. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 01:29 Introducing Nicole Fende: From Corporate to Creativity Champion 02:05 Exploring Tree Hugging Capitalism 02:54 Nicole's Journey: From Numbers to Nature 05:49 The Impact of Fair Trade and Conscious Capitalism 08:49 Transitioning to Support Creatives and Small Businesses 10:19 Launching Creatopia: A New Venture for Creative Prosperity 18:18 The Future of Creativity in the Age of AI 21:26 Harnessing Creativity to Combat Stress and Burnout 25:53 Creatopia: A Haven for Creatives and Their Audience 27:59 Final Thoughts and Resources Meet the Guest: Nicole Fende, aka The Numbers Whisperer®, helps creatives achieve business success. She is the author of two books, designer of the card game Body Be Gone™, and belongs to an amateur improv group. Drawing on her background as an investment banker, CFO, and credentialed actuary, Nicole co-founded Creatopia® to nurture joyful creativity and foster creators’ prosperity. Connect with: Creatopia's Website Nicole Fende's LinkedIn Resources: Free creativity block-busting quiz Research comparing the results of values-based banks and banking cooperatives (VBBs) with the largest banks in the world, the Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs) Triple Bottom Line explained Related episodes: Peripheral Thinking with Paul Daniels Uncovering Your Brilliance with Lane Garner Expand What’s Possible

"Intention is more important than attention." -Ana Melikian In this episode of the MINDSET ZONE, host Ana Melikian delves into the importance of intentionality and mental fitness in navigating life's challenges. She emphasizes the power of cultivating intention in our daily lives to achieve our goals and aspirations. Ana highlights the significance of redirecting our attention with purpose and intention, especially in today's world, where our attention is constantly captured in various ways. She reveals how being intentional allows us to regain control over our attention, leading to more proactive and purposeful living. Additionally, Ana discusses the impact of mental fitness in handling life's challenges and negative emotions. By strengthening our mental fitness, we can recover faster and become more resilient, ultimately leading to a more intentional and mindful approach to life. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction 01:13 The Power of Intention Over Attention 04:35 Cultivating Intentionality for a Purposeful Life 06:00 Practical Steps to Enhance Mental Fitness 06:55 Closing Thoughts and Resources Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: This episode is based on a column Ana wrote for the book, "Mindfulness and Health Watch: Your Weekly Inspire Me Journal" by Gloria Petersen Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

"My trademark brand of positivity is called positosis." -Chris Toledo In this episode of the Mindset Zone, host Ana Melikian talks with Chris Toledo, a former professional basketball player turned motivational speaker, about his career journey and the pivotal role positivity played in his success. Toledo shares his experiences from playing basketball in college and professionally in Mexico to teaching dance and finally becoming a professional speaker. He introduces the concept of Positosis, his brand of positivity, and how it has influenced both his career and his mission to help others. The discussion also covers his transition from athlete to a leading figure in fitness and entertainment, including his work with Reebok and ESPN and his eventual pivot towards personal and organizational development with a focus on positivity and mental fitness. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Harnessing Positivity in High-Pressure Moments 01:46 The Power of Positivity: Chris Toledo's Basketball Journey 06:19 Transitioning from Professional Basketball to Club Med and Beyond 09:11 Embracing Dance and Launching a Global Fitness Program 12:09 From TV Fame to Discovering Tai Chi and a New Mission 14:50 Becoming a Professional Speaker and Emcee 17:58 Introducing Positosis: A Unique Brand of Positivity 19:52 The Positosis Mindset: Reset and Remix 22:07 Chris Toledo's Journey: Inspiring Through Positosis Meet the Guest: Chris Toledo is a keynote communicator, storyteller, multilingual surprise and delight speaker, and MC who helps organizations improve and develop company culture through a dynamic crafted experience on the power of Positosis™. Chris’ trademarked Positosis™ is a mindset reset that transforms life's experiences into personal and professional success by training and retraining YOUR brain to scan for the positive FIRST to shift into a positive mindset. A former international professional basketball player and television show host, Chris is comfortable in the spotlight. With a host of experiences ranging from being the on-air host of “The Reebok City Jam Show,” in association with ESPN, Universal Studios Orlando, Reebok International, to working with Club Med International, Chris Toledo's positive, focused, and engaging energy entertains, delights, educates and moves audiences, while sharing the essential Positosis skills for personal and professional success. Chris’s keynote, “The Positosis Mindset,” teaches and demonstrates tips and tools to tap into YOUR Positosis Mindset on command. With his unique brand of storytelling that has a natural ebb and flow, a signature style, and cadence, his presentations are a combination of insight and entertainment to deliver a transformative interactive experience. The work that Chris has done includes collaborations with AirBnB, TikTok, Amazon, Nordstroms, and The Boeing Leadership Association in the role of Master of Ceremony, Keynote Speaker and a hybrid of the two. Connect with: Chris Toledo's email: christoledo360@gmail.com Chris Toledo's Website Chris Toledo's LinkedIn Resources: Chris Toledo's Website Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

"It is an odd reality of being human that we are always changing, yet we dislike change. Especially too much, too fast." -Giles Crouch | Digital Anthropologist In this episode, host Ana Melikian explores the paradox of human evolution amidst technological advancement, with a focus on identity shift in the digital era. Drawing insights from an article by digital anthropologist Giles Crouch, Ana discusses the long history of technology's role in human identity, from the Stone Age to modern smart devices, and the psychological effects of rapid technological change. She highlights the tension between the human need for stability and the inevitable march of technological progress, particularly in the face of AI disruption. Ana uses the metaphor of navigating a river to describe the pursuit of mental wellness, balancing between rigidity and constant change. She emphasizes the importance of proactively adapting to these changes to enhance humanity and addresses the collective challenge of navigating these transitions as a community. The episode calls for engaging in conversations to co-create a hopeful future, leveraging AI advancements in a human-centered manner. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction 01:05 Evolution of Human Identity in the Digital Age 02:03 The Long History of Technology and Its Impact 04:57 Navigating the River of Life: Mental Health and Change 07:33 Using AI to Enhance Our Humanity 11:15 Proactive Response to AI Disruption and Future Possibilities 13:30 The Importance of Community and Conversation Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: Human Identity in the Digital Age Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

"98% of the atoms in your body are removed and replaced every year." -Udo Erasmus In this episode of the Mindset Zone, host Ana Melikian discusses the transformative power of nutrition, particularly focusing on the role of fats and oils in human health with guest Udo Erasmus, a renowned figure in the field of health and nutrition. Erasmus, the author of 'Fats That Kill' and a pioneer in understanding essential fatty acids, delves into his personal journey of healing from pesticide poisoning through nutritional research. He emphasizes how the body's constant renewal process makes healing possible through improved dietary standards, particularly by incorporating the right fats. Ana and Udo also explore broader concepts such as the importance of addressing contradictions in science and life, the unity behind apparent paradoxes, and the significance of internal exploration for holistic well-being. The conversation further covers Erasmus's development of a method for producing health-beneficial oils and his insights into achieving vitality and energy through alignment on multiple life levels. The episode underscores the interconnectedness of physical health, emotional well-being, and spiritual awareness in living a fulfilled life. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 The Power of Healing Through Nutrition 00:37 Introduction to the Mindset Zone Podcast 01:20 Special Guest: Udo Erasmus, Visionary in Health and Nutrition 02:23 Exploring Contradictions and Unity in Life and Science 09:12 The Journey from Pesticide Poisoning to Nutritional Enlightenment 13:20 The Essential Role of Fats and Oils in Our Health 20:04 Creating Healthier Oils: The Birth of Udo's Oil 25:18 The Impact of Proper Nutrition on Skin and Overall Health 28:15 Udo Erasmus Shares His Philosophy on Life, Energy, and Vitality 33:27 Where to Learn More About Udo Erasmus and His Work 35:05 Closing Thoughts and Podcast Outro Meet the Guest: The legendary Udo Erasmus is the co-founder of Udo’s Choice line, which can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores worldwide. Udo designed the machinery for making oils with health in mind and pioneered flax oil, a billion dollar industry. However, Udo walked a difficult path to become the man he is today. Being a child of war, Udo’s life began with intense struggle. As an adult, he got pesticide poisoning in 1980, leaving doctors at a loss regarding treatment. Deciding to take his health into his own hands, Udobegan researching, and his discoveries led him to a passion for finding the answers to life’s big questions which would hopefully one day bring him and the world peace. Today, Udo is an acclaimed speaker and author of many books, including the best-selling Fats That Heal Fats That Kill, which has sold over 250,000 copies. He teaches at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, has keynoted an international brain health conference, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and staff trainings impacting more than 25,000,000 lives with his message on oils,health, peace, nature, and human nature. Udo has an extensive education in biochemistry, genetics, biology, and nutrition, including a master’s degree in counseling psychology. Connect with: Udo Erasmus' Website Udo Erasmus' LinkedIn Udo Erasmus' Instagram Udos Erasmus' Twitter Resources: Udo's Oil: florahealth.com/udo Related episodes: Expand What’s Possible

In this episode of the MINDSET ZONE, host Ana Melikian delves into the concept of being boxed in and the ways in which we categorize things in our lives. Ana shares her insights on how our brains are wired to simplify and categorize, leading to the tendency to put things in boxes or categories. She reflects on her experience working with clients who resist being boxed in, particularly in defining a target market for their businesses. Ana offers a strategy for accepting this resistance and shifting the focus to understanding the 'why' behind what individuals do, tapping into their values and purpose. She draws connections to Mitch Axelrod’s interview about understanding our Soul-Role-Goal, emphasizing the importance of clarifying why we do what we do. Ana then presents a powerful visualization exercise where she encourages listeners to imagine stepping out of the box and even flipping the box to see it as a platform for elevating their message and impact. Ana invites listeners to pause when feeling boxed in, recognize their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors (increase self-awareness), and embrace experimentation as a response. She speaks about her concept of the P.I.E. Method: Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, and Experimentation. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:07 Introduction and Welcome 00:50 Exploring the Tendency to Categorize and Box In 02:26 The Importance of Understanding the 'Why' 03:29 Connecting Values and Purpose to Business 05:28 Navigating Resistance to Being Boxed In 07:00 Embracing the Power of Clarifying 'Why' 09:37 Visualizing Stepping Out of the Box and Flipping the Box 12:49 The Invigorating Power of the Box as a Platform 15:00 The PIE Method: Pause, Increase Self-Awareness, Embrace Experimentation 15:57 Conclusion and Invitation to Engage Further Meet your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Related episodes Listen to: The NEW Game of Service with Mitch Axelrod The PIE Method: A Simple Three Steps Approach To Personal Growth Between stimulus and response, there is this space. Expand What’s Possible

” If the people are serving the system, you have an inversion of value. If it gets extreme, you have a perversion of value, to where the system actually, instead of serving people, abuses people.” -Mitch Axelrod In this episode, Ana Melikian is joined by Mitch Axelrod, a business strategist and advisor, to discuss the importance of serving people in business and the impact of technology, automation, and outsourcing. Together, they delve into the soulful approach to success, revealing Mitch's "Soul. Role. Goal." framework to serve people first, anchored in a philosophy that values the human element in every business interaction. Ana and Mitch discuss procedures, automation, and AI and their potential to either uplift humanity or facilitate systemic abuse. They stress the critical importance of companies focusing on genuinely loving and serving the customer (and their employees), rather than being hamstrung by rigid rules and impersonal policies. Our guest, Mitch Axelrod, shares his wisdom on nurturing human capital, aligning the soul, role, and goal of companies, and fostering a work environment that champions humanity and engagement. They take a critical look at modern work culture, questioning whether we’ve lost sight of the human connection. Strap in for a journey that rethinks standard business practices and advocates for leading with soul and purpose. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Systems 00:44 Meet the Host and the Guest 01:26 The NEW Game of Business 03:04 Mitch's Early Life and Business Ethos 04:44 The Importance of Service in Business 06:16 The Value of Service and its Impact on Business 08:17 Service as a Profit Center 11:30 The Impact of AI and Automation on Service 12:47 The Soul, Role, Goal Model 14:35 The Inversion of Value and its Consequences 17:48 The Importance of Work-Life Balance 22:28 The Future of Business and Conclusion 30:38 Where to Learn More About Mitch's Work 31:47 Closing Remarks and Podcast Outro Meet the Guest: Mitch Axelrod is a 45-year entrepreneur, speaker, trainer, advisor, and a # 1 Wall St. Journal, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon best-selling author. Mitch has delivered 3,500 seminars, workshops, keynotes, webinars, executive briefings, and coaching clinics on business, entrepreneurship, sales, leadership, values, intellectual property, and life skills to more than a million people. Mitch is the author of The NEW Game of Business™, The NEW Game of IP™ (Intellectual Property), and the #1 bestseller, The NEW Game of Selling™. His articles, special reports, newsletters, white papers, and training programs are read in 40 countries. Mitch is an intellectual property specialist who pioneered “renting your content” to monetize IP. Golden Mike Award winner for speaking excellence and industry contribution, he has helped his clients generate $3 billion in revenue. Featured on dozens of media, including WABC, Best-Seller TV, and Sales Talk Radio, Mitch has taught at NYU, USC, Notre Dame and is faculty at Harvard's Executive Leadership Conference. In 2020, Mitch suffered a stroke and brain aneurysm that left him paralyzed on his right side. His story of rebound, resilience, and recovery is inspirational and transformational! Connect with: Mitch Axelrod LinkedIn Mitch Axelrod Facebook Mitch Axelrod Twitter Mitch Axelrod Instagram Resources: The New Game of Selling: https://thenewgameofselling.com/ Soul Role Goal: https://soulrolegoal.com/ Related episodes: Mighty Networks & Community Mindset with Gina Bianchini Expand What’s Possible

In this episode, host Ana Melikian explores the concept of choice and its impact on our lives. She delves into the idea of always having a choice, examining it from different angles and shedding light on its complexities. Ana discusses the powerful message present in the work of authors like Edith Eva Eger and Viktor Frankl, highlighting the nuanced understanding of choice in the face of challenging life circumstances. She also delves into the concept of choice overload and the impact of decision-making paralysis in our daily lives. Throughout the episode, Ana emphasizes the importance of recognizing the power of choice in shaping our responses to life's challenges, even when circumstances are beyond our control. She encourages listeners to consider the wisdom in knowing when to choose and when to allow autopilot to guide our actions. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:56 Questioning the Simplistic Notion of "We Always Have a Choice" 03:21 The Depth of Choice in the Context of Life Circumstances 08:38 Exploring the Paradox of Choice Overload 11:49 The Role of Autopilot in Our Lives 14:04 The Power of Response 16:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Meet your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: The Choice by Edith Eva Eger The Gift by Edith Eva Eger Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl The Paradox of Choice by Barry Schwartz Related episodes Listen to: AI Disruption: Do you have the Right Mindset? Navigating the AI Revolution: Opportunities, Choices, and Impact Between stimulus and response, there is this space. Expand What’s Possible

In this episode, your host, Ana Melikian, delves into the concept of the Zone of Proximal Growth (ZPG) and its implications for personal and professional development. Ana draws from her background in psychology and her own experiences to explain the ZPG, highlighting the potential for growth just beyond our comfort zones. By sharing her own adventurous foray into indoor skydiving, Ana illustrates how embracing new challenges and experiences can lead to significant personal growth and joy. Throughout this episode, Ana encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences of stepping into their zone of proximal growth and the valuable lessons learned from such experiences. She emphasizes the importance of creating time and space for these opportunities for growth, ultimately inviting listeners to share their insights and takeaways. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:08 Introduction and Welcome 00:50 The Concept of Zone of Proximal Growth 04:07 Applying the Concept to Personal Development 05:14 The Magic of Coaching in the Zone of Proximal Growth 06:01 A Personal Adventure in the Zone of Proximal Growth 06:24 The Experience of iFly - Indoor Skydiving 07:29 Reflections on the Experience and the Power of Stepping Out of Comfort Zone 12:12 Invitation to Reflect on Your Own Experiences 13:25 Conclusion and Invitation to Engage https://youtu.be/Uc7cwmFn_8o Meet your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: Zone of Proximal Development, ZPD by Vygotsky Related episodes Listen to: AI Disruption: Do you have the Right Mindset? Navigating the AI Revolution: Opportunities, Choices, and Impact Expand What’s Possible

In this episode, host Ana Melikian discusses the widespread impact and looming potential of artificial intelligence (AI) that is causing a fast-paced disruption. She highlights the importance of adopting the right mindset to successfully navigate this AI disruption, moving from a reactive to a proactive mode, increasing self-awareness around thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to AI. Ana also brings attention to a provocative statement that half of AI researchers believe there's a significant chance human beings could go extinct due to our inability to control AI, highlighting the importance of learning and influencing AI policies and practices. She wraps up by discussing the PIE Method™ (Pause, Increase self-awareness, Embrace experimentation) method to better approach AI. Discover AI's potential benefits and risks, and learn how to adopt the right AI mindset. Let's dive in! This week on The Mindset Zone: 00:07 Introduction and Contact Information 00:54 AI Disruption and Its Prevalence 01:30 AI's Impact on Social Media and Communication 04:01 AI Revolution vs. AI Disruption 05:15 AI's Potential for Accelerated Change 05:24 The Importance of the Right Mindset 06:39 Facing Our Fears and Blind Spots 07:17 The AI Dilemma and Its Potential Risks 12:25 AI's Impact on Workforce and Professional Lives 14:03 Unlocking Human Potential in the Age of AI 14:19 The PIE Method and Embracing Experimentation 15:34 Conclusion and Further Resources Meet Your Host: Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method. 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭? Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork! Connect with: Ana on LinkedIn Resources: The AI Dilemma by the Center for Humane Technology Podcast and transcript https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoVJKj8lcNQ 2022 Expert Survey on Progress in AI Related episodes: Navigating the AI Revolution: Opportunities, Choices, and Impact. The PIE Method: A Simple Three Steps Approach To Personal Growth Expand What’s Possible