Motivational Mondays: Conversations with Leaders

The "Queen of Conflict Resolution," Naja Hall, is an expert in blended families. It began when she entered a relationship where a blended household would become part of her family structure. Her initial circumstances were difficult and she found very few resources to help manage the situation. She did her homework, shared what she discovered, and became the go-to resource for others in similar situations.  LEARN MORE >> Read Naja’s book, Girl, Bye! She's Not Going Anywhere...Neither Are You {https://amzn.to/3DNUvNu} >> Make sure to check out Naja’s website {https://www.najahall.com} >> Join Blended and Black: A Community for Millennials in Stepfamilies {https://www.blendedandblack.com} >> Listen to Naja’s Podcast, I Know I’m Crazy {https://tinyurl.com/2p8wbw8h} >> Watch this week's Motivational Mondays video podcast on the blog {https://www.nsls.org/blog/building-bridges-in-blended-families}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

The "Queen of Conflict Resolution," Naja Hall, is an expert in blended families. It began when she entered a relationship where a blended household would become part of her family structure. Her initial circumstances were difficult and she found very few resources to help manage the situation. But she did her homework, shared what she discovered, and became the go-to resource for others in similar situations. She now owns and operates a full-service coaching firm with a client list that includes star athletes, coaches, A-list celebrities, politicians, and everyday people. Naja points out that her clients give her a rare picture of their souls, beliefs, and family systems. Despite all our differences, many of our family dynamics are the same. In this week’s episode, you’ll learn how Naja became interested in counseling blended families, the importance of learning healthy ways to resolve conflict, and why the language of pain is universal.   LEARN MORE >> Read Naja’s book, Girl, Bye! She's Not Going Anywhere...Neither Are You {https://amzn.to/3DNUvNu} >> Make sure to check out Naja’s website {https://www.najahall.com} >> Join Blended and Black: A Community for Millennials in Stepfamilies {https://www.blendedandblack.com} >> Listen to Naja’s Podcast, I Know I’m Crazy {https://tinyurl.com/2p8wbw8h}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn how to be honest in assessing your life and how to tell when it’s time to pivot your passion. {https://thens.ls/3rcyoey}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

In this week's Motivational Minutes, NSLS President and CEO Neil Khaund shares the importance of learning from your errors. We all make mistakes but hopefully the lessons you learn will prevent you from making them in the future. Your hope is what inspires you to keep going, even when things are tough. So never give up on yourself and always keep learning. LEARN MORE: >> Connect with Neil on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkhaund} >> Follow Neil on Twitter {https://twitter.com/neilkhaund} >> Check out Neil's latest book recommendations: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella {https://amzn.to/3u0Lr4s} {https://amzn.to/35xwaP9} >> Watch this week's Motivational Mondays video podcast on the blog {https://www.nsls.org/blog/advancing-higher-ed-with-a-global-vision}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Neil Khaund is the National Society of Leadership And Success (NSLS) President and CEO. With over two decades of experience in higher education and organizational growth, Neil is excited to lead the NSLS as it embarks upon international expansion. Neil jokes that education is part of his DNA. His grandfather is a respected historian whose books are in the Library of Congress, and his aunts and uncles are teachers. Neil broke the tradition by entering investment banking after college. Ultimately, education won him over.  In this week's episode of Motivational Mondays, you'll hear Neil discuss the impact of new educational tools and formats, his passion for mentoring students, why Gen Z is influential, and more.  You’ll also learn how to nurture and inspire your team, how to leverage education to remain hopeful, and how to stay current in the field. LEARN MORE: >> Connect with Neil on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkhaund} >> Follow Neil on Twitter {https://twitter.com/neilkhaund} >> Check out Neil's latest book recommendations: Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and Hit Refresh by Satya Nadella {https://amzn.to/3u0Lr4s} {https://amzn.to/35xwaP9}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn what is meant by “no man is an island” and who inspires Neil to keep going. {https://thens.ls/3Dzem2O}  Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Run51 is the brainchild of Erin Vilardi. She created the platform to assist women in gaining more of a voice in shaping national policies. Run 51's mission is to support women political candidates as a collective, paving the way for them to gain a majority in each of the 50 state legislatures.  As Erin explains in this week's Motivational Mondays, 51 percent of the US population is women. So, she feels they should hold 51 percent of government jobs, regardless of their backgrounds or demographics.  With a historic number of women now in Congress, they have the ability to shape change more than any other time in history. Organizations like Run51 are poised to empower women by providing materials to help them create effective change campaigns and win more elections. In this episode you’ll learn how to file for a legislative seat, what a legislature actually does, and how to find the districts in which you are eligible to run for office.   LEARN MORE: >> Connect with Erin Vilardi on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-vilardi-b3764527} >> Visit VoteRunLead’s website, Twitter, and Instagram {https://www.voterunlead.org} {https://twitter.com/VoteRunLead} {https://www.instagram.com/voterunlead} >> Learn about Erin’s Campaign, Run51 {https://www.voterunlead.org/run_51}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn about the historic rise of women in US Congress and the role men can play as allies to women in politics. {https://thens.ls/3IF8ZQy}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

There are millions of people of color who are competent and skilled. Salesforce's Aubree Broadwater doesn't get why so many companies claim they can't find good minority talent.  With that in mind, she takes great pride in her work assisting recruiting managers and HR executives in helping to eliminate stigmas around minority hiring. People of color are qualified, but Aubree points out that individuals in charge of hiring don't always know where to look for them. Aubree's Interviewer Certification Program educates and informs hiring managers, helping them better deal with unconscious bias and improve diversity in their hiring practices. On this week’s Motivational Mondays you’ll learn more about Salesforce, how they provide opportunities for highly-skilled minority talent, and the importance of understanding that everyone experiences unintentional bias.   LEARN MORE: >> Connect with Aubree on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubree-broadwater} >> Follow Aubree on Twitter {https://twitter.com/aubmazingg_92}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn about what inspires Aubree to register black voters and the importance of having a voting electorate that represents equality. {https://thens.ls/3u8H8Tw}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Jennifer Kauffman realized she needed to share her Boston Marathon Bombing story. She knew that was the only way she could free herself emotionally. One of the main things she did to help herself thrive after this traumatic experience was to forgive the bombers and then, forgive herself. Jennifer ultimately came to terms with insecurity issues that often emerged. Although she had accomplished a lot in her life, she was always looking for more. Sure, she felt a little burst of happiness after completing something, but it would fade fast.  To change her trajectory, Jennifer realized that she needed to live a more contented and fulfilled life. Learn more about her journey to happiness and deep personal introspection on this week's episode of Motivational Mondays.    LEARN MORE: >> Access more resources on Jennifer’s website {https://jenniferkauffman.com/} >> Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkauffman/} >> Join Jennifer’s Facebook group {https://www.facebook.com/breakthruresults/} >> Grab Jennifer’s book, SHATTERED {https://amzn.to/3tULHkv}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn the importance of coming to terms with unresolved traumas and why forgiving ourselves is the first step toward happiness. {https://thens.ls/3t1L4pW}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

One of the most challenging obstacles you'll face in life is learning to forgive others. Jennifer Kauffman discovered this firsthand after surviving the Boston Marathon bombing.  Jennifer was given the option to read her victim impact statement at the trial of the accused bombers. In her statement, she shared how the horrific event influenced her life. Unexpectedly, Jennifer found herself at a place of forgiveness. Forgiveness allowed her to move beyond her anger, and physical and mental harm. She was ready to be emotionally free of the situation and what emerged was a more enlightened path through life. Hear her incredible story in this episode of Motivational Mondays. You’ll learn her process of learning to forgive her attackers, the thought process that led to her healing, and how a horrific experience became a great gift.   LEARN MORE: >> Access more resources on Jennifer’s website {https://jenniferkauffman.com/} >> Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkauffman/} >> Join Jennifer’s Facebook group {https://www.facebook.com/breakthruresults/} >> Grab Jennifer’s book, SHATTERED {https://amzn.to/3tULHkv}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn why Jennifer never wants to forget the bombing and the importance of embracing all of life’s experiences—good and bad. {https://thens.ls/33R7tMK}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Cieja Springer is a fashion and style expert who’s worked in luxury marketing for over 16 years with companies like L'Oreal, Maserati, Estée Lauder, and Nordstrom. She's also the host of From The Bottom Up!™️, a podcast where she interviews fashion industry professionals to get their behind-the-scenes take on how to succeed. Cieja had always wanted to write and work with brands. So, she majored in advertising and minored in fashion merchandising to equip herself with the skills she needed to pursue her dreams. She is an excellent example of making opportunities for yourself when there seemingly are none. Hear her full story in this episode of Motivational Mondays and learn who inspired her to want to work in fashion, how she created the space she wanted to be in, and what it takes to be a purveyor in your craft.   LEARN MORE: >> Connect with Cieja on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/springercieja} >> Listen to Cieja’s podcast, From The Bottom Up!™ {https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-the-bottom-up/id1454972815} >> Read The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley {https://amzn.to/3vc4ytq} >> Visit Coveteur {https://coveteur.com/}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn more about Cieja’s podcast, From The Bottom Up!™ and her passion for sharing stories of fashion’s unsung heroes. {https://thens.ls/3M0dKH4}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Oladotun "Ola" Idowu was intrigued with pop culture as a child. She discovered Syracuse's media program after struggling to figure out what she wanted to do with her life, knowing she didn't want to take the traditional route her parents wanted for her.  Today, in a role that fuses her love of entertainment with marketing, Ola works at Twitter as an Entertainment Content Partner Manager. She describes her unique journey in this week's Motivational Mondays and shares why she founded Sisters in Media, an organization dedicated to fostering opportunities in media for women of color.  In addition, Ola's organization focuses on mentorship and creating a network where young women of color pursuing media careers can connect with industry professionals who can help advise, nurture, and guide them toward a successful future. In this episode, you'll learn when Ola's interest in media began, her gratitude for her parent's support of her career, and the specific duties of her role as Entertainment Content Partner Manager at Twitter.   LEARN MORE: >> Follow Ola on Twitter {https://twitter.com/ola__idowu} >> Connect with Ola on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/oladotun-idowu-59a55332}   NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn about the importance of checking in on loved ones and doing wellness checks, and why we need to dedicate the time to care for our own mental wellness. {https://thens.ls/3H3OhJ7}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop