

Motivational Mondays: Conversations with Leaders
National Society of Leadership and Success
A weekly conversation with entrepreneurs, authors, and leadership experts to unravel the secrets behind success. Our guests share their inspirational stories and give actionable advice. Learn more about The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at thens.ls/mmpodcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 6, 2021 • 16min
Finding Smart Solutions to Live Your Best Life (Feat. Hitha Palepu)
Hitha Palepu is one of the most knowledgeable speakers on social issues and diversity. She's a CEO, investor, advocate, and author with a popular new book, We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story, which was inspired by the 2020 Vice Presidential debate. As a mother raising two sons, Hitha shares the importance of males understanding and respecting female’s unique circumstances in a patriarchal society. She states, "The book is meant to be an inclusive rallying cry for all of us to come together, collectively step into our power, and help remake our lives on our terms and not what society defines for us." In this week's episode, Hitha discusses her vision and belief that a more inclusive world creates the opportunity for everyone to thrive. You’ll learn how fear leads to resisting inclusion and diversity efforts, how Hitha is proudly raising two feminist sons, and how to effectively engage with people who disagree with you. LEARN MORE: >> Read: We're Speaking: The Life Lessons of Kamala Harris: How to Use Your Voice, Be Assertive, and Own Your Story {https://amzn.to/31ivg7j} >> Follow Hitha on Twitter {https://twitter.com/HithaPalepu} >> Connect with Hitha on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/hithapalepu/} >> A weekly digest of need-to-know news: #5SmartReads {https://hitha.substack.com/} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn what advice Hitha has for aspiring businesswomen and what she believes are the necessary attributes of an effective leader. {https://thens.ls/3ojyuQj}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Nov 29, 2021 • 16min
Gain HR Insight and Ace Your Next Interview (Feat. Madeline Mann)
If you want to land your dream job, the resume and interview process must go as planned. Madeline Mann is an HR leader with an award-winning YouTube channel, "Self Made Millennial," and over half a million followers on social media. She helps young professionals conquer the critical steps of seeking employment. Filled with helpful interview tips, advice on overcoming nerves during video chats, and suggestions for showcasing skills, Madeline's YouTube channel provides every job seeker a treasure trove of invaluable career resources. In this week's episode of Motivational Mondays, Madeline shares her professional knowledge, including how to avoid a blunder when answering the most intimidating interview questions. She will cover additional topics, such as the importance of personal branding, if LinkedIn is still a viable tool for job searches, and why networking is an important skill to utilize. LEARN MORE: >> Check out Madeline’s website {https://www.madelinemann.com} >> Connect with Madeline on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinemann} >> Watch Madeline’s videos on YouTube {https://www.youtube.com/c/SelfMadeMillennial} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn why you should soul search before you job search and the importance of quality versus quantity when submitting resumes. {https://thens.ls/3xfZqDo}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Nov 22, 2021 • 9min
Build Your Brand with Passion and Integrity (Feat. Kara Goldin) Pt. 2
In the second half of our conversation with Kara Goldin, the successful entrepreneur talks about her fundraising experience for hint® water. Her background in tech allowed her to make many industry connections from Silicon Valley. For some women entrepreneurs, the investment landscape is hard to navigate; for Kara, it wasn’t difficult to get meetings but what came next was a different story. Listen as we dive into what these initial interactions and meetings looked like. What was the investors' perception towards Kara's idea, and what role did gender play in how she was treated? Listen to Part 2 of our episode to find out. Don’t miss Kara also sharing her insight into what it takes to be an exemplary leader and the importance of building relationships with people who support your vision. LEARN MORE: Check out hint® water {https://www.drinkhint.com} Read Kara’s book, Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters {https://amzn.to/3Dfc3kk} Listen to Kara’s podcast, The Kara Goldin Show {https://karagoldin.com/podcast} Connect with Kara on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn more about the unique hurdles faced by women in business, the importance of pushing back against misogyny, and if we should forgive people who insult us with misinformed assumptions. {https://thens.ls/3DD98Cc} Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Nov 15, 2021 • 14min
Build Your Brand with Passion and Integrity (Feat. Kara Goldin) Pt. 1
As the founder and CEO of hint®, Kara Goldin has made a name for herself in the beverage industry. She initially started by experimenting at home before taking her experimentation on to become what is now one of America's most popular flavored water products! In this episode of Motivational Mondays, Kara shares her journey and discusses successful leadership traits, the importance of creativity, and the power of perseverance. In her new book, Undaunted, Kara also shares life lessons about the rewards of putting yourself into a position where you don't know what will happen. The celebrated entrepreneur suggests that leaving our comfort zones can lead to future success. Don’t miss Kara give her insight on how to stay focused on your ambition and not be distracted from your vision by naysayers and people projecting their fears onto you. THIS WEEK, YOU’LL LEARN: [1:00] The story behind the creation of hint® water [5:02] How growth begins with taking a leap of faith [9:05] How to step outside of your comfort zone NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn how Kara took her product directly to the public for feedback and why Kara is concerned over industry use of the buzzword “Diet” as a marketing ploy. {https://thens.ls/3C8ZSUX} LEARN MORE: Check out hint® water {https://www.drinkhint.com} Read Kara’s book, Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters {https://amzn.to/3Dfc3kk} Listen to Kara’s podcast, The Kara Goldin Show {https://karagoldin.com/podcast} Connect with Kara on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Nov 8, 2021 • 15min
How to Reach Your Full Potential (Feat. Dr. Raman K. Attri)
Dr. Raman K. Attri is an inspirational figure who has overcome the odds of achieving success in his professional life and personal relationships. His story of rising above adversity with hope for tomorrow resonates with people worldwide and those looking for motivation every day. Dr. Raman has two doctorates and over 100 international credentials, which is why he's one of the most qualified people to teach you about studying for exams- with an understanding that success comes from learning content and context. With two doctorates and over 100 international credentials, Dr. Raman understands the pressures and deadlines students encounter during exam time. On this week's Motivational Mondays, Dr. Raman shares his story and explains the difference between learning content and learning context. You’ll learn how to apply goal-directed speed learning, how to overcome adversity by seeing windows vs. walls, and how Dr. Attri remained optimistic despite his circumstances. LEARN MORE: >>> Check out Dr. Attri’s Speed To Proficiency Website {https://www.speedtoproficiency.com} >>> Connect with Dr. Attri on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/drramankattri} >>> Browse Dr. Attri’s Published Works {https://amzn.to/3wjvmWZ} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn the inspiration behind Dr. Raman’s new book, Speed Matters, and the difference between changing who you are and changing the choices you make. {https://thens.ls/3k5y3Xo}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Nov 1, 2021 • 23min
How to Stop Self Sabotage by Rewiring Your Brain (Feat. Rebecca Heiss)
In today's episode of Motivational Mondays, we will explore the science behind Dr. Rebecca Heiss' new book, Instinct: Rewire Your Brain with Science-Backed Solutions to Increase Productivity and Achieve Success. Dr. Heiss specializes in helping clients break through ingrained inclinations that can hold them back from success by teaching skills like self-reflection and self-awareness. As an evolutionary biologist, she says that humans are ancestrally programmed to be overly cautious. To help people overcome their fears, Dr. Heiss shares that it’s okay to be inquisitive in life and stop feeling like you have to be an expert. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. You’ll learn why our brains are programmed for fear, how to rewire your brain to let it go, and how to become more self-aware. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: How to rewire your brain to let go of fear How to become more self-aware The expectations placed on men and women NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn why Dr. Heiss feels that living up to societal beauty standards can slow women down and the importance of being confident in your own skin. {https://thens.ls/3GzCovG} LEARN MORE: Take Dr. Heiss’ Fear Quiz {https://rebeccaheiss.com/fearless-quiz/} Connect with Dr. Heiss on LinkedIn and Twitter {https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccaheiss/} {https://twitter.com/drrebeccaheiss} Check out Dr. Heiss’ app: icueity {https://www.icueity.com/} The Leap: A Network for Women to Thrive {https://www.wearetheleap.com/} Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Oct 25, 2021 • 12min
Retail Reimagined for Today's Young Professionals (Feat. Nicole Phillips)
In this episode of Motivational Mondays, we speak with Nicole Phillips, Co-founder and CEO of Qatch. This retail tech startup has developed an exciting, unique app that lets you shop for clothes using the tapback feature on iMessage. In our discussion, Nicole shares the brainstorm that inspired the fashion venture. Qatch now partners with top retail brands to deliver a personalized online shopping experience. Qatch works similar to Grubhub and UberEats but on behalf of clothing brands instead of food. Have a listen to this fashion-forward conversation and get your style on! You’ll learn what led to the creation of Qatch, how it’s becoming a game-changer in fashion, and how fashion law prepared Nicole to launch this new platform. LEARN MORE Visit Qatch {https://qatch.style/NSLS} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn about the Qatch on-campus ambassadorship program and the importance of tuning out naysayers so you can follow your passion. {https://thens.ls/3Gfs2B5}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Oct 18, 2021 • 14min
How Tenacity and Fearlessness Builds CEOs (Feat. Jahylin McKee)
Tenacity and fearlessness are two crucial traits for achieving success in any industry, but they're especially important when you're striving towards an influential career as a high-profile publicist. In this episode of Motivational Mondays, Entrepreneur and Publicity Agent Jahylin McKee discusses how she rebounded from a major setback and shaped her own destiny. Jahylin is a natural-born leader who can think on her feet and speak authoritatively about her profession. As an undergraduate, she studied communications, so it's no surprise that she was already achieving her high-performance goals soon after graduation. In this episode, you’ll learn how Jahylin ended up at Savannah State, how she went from English to Marketing & Communications, and about the influence Olivia Pope had on her career. LEARN MORE: Connect with Jahylin on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahylinmckee/} Find out more about Jahylin’s business J.McKee & Co. {http://jmckeeandco.com} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn about the power of taking chances in unknown situations and how to fearlessly pursue the internship you want. {https://thens.ls/3AMQR3l}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Oct 11, 2021 • 16min
Connecting the Pieces to Bring a Brand to Life (Feat. Kaylin Marcotte)
Kaylin Marcotte learned firsthand about the high-pressure nature of startup ventures. During her time at theSkimm, she recalls a stressful environment where she was constantly working. After each day, Kaylin found herself looking for a way to unwind and relax. First, she tried meditation and yoga with minimal results. Ultimately, jigsaw puzzles were just what she needed to soothe her mind but she was unimpressed with their visually dull appearance. On this week's Motivational Mondays, learn how Kaylin's company, Jiggy, reintroduced jigsaw puzzles to a modern audience. And find out how landing a $500,000 deal on Shark Tank took her company to the next level. LEARN MORE: Visit Jiggy {https://jiggypuzzles.com/} Follow Jiggy on Instagram {https://www.instagram.com/jiggypuzzles/} Follow Kaylin Marcotte on Instagram {https://www.instagram.com/kaylinmarcotte/} Follow Kaylin Marcotte on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaylin-marcotte/} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn how Jiggy supports female artists around the world and hear about Kaylin’s efforts to protect the environment. {https://thens.ls/308fzyt}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Oct 4, 2021 • 18min
Success Through Resilience and Clear Communication (Feat. Lizandra Cassia Caposso Cristóvão da Costa)
It's not all about age; it's what you have accomplished within that time. At just 30 years old, Lizandra Cassia Caposso Cristóvão da Costa has achieved an international career trajectory as the Deputy General Director of Health in Angola. Her role includes the essential task of procuring and distributing medication and hospital supplies throughout her country, making such services available to millions of citizens. On this week's Motivational Mondays, the impressive NSLS Alumna shares how working hard pays off and offers inspiring advice to fellow leaders. This week, you’ll learn the role of the Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Health, about Lizandra’s journey to her current senior position, and how being an NSLS member changed Lizandra’s future. LEARN MORE: Connect with Lizandra on LinkedIn {https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizandra-cassia-caposso-crist%C3%B3v%C3%A3o-da-costa-679388112/} Follow Lizandra on Twitter {https://twitter.com/LicassiaCCC} NSLS MEMBERS ONLY: Listen to the bonus episode to learn the importance of having support systems and learning to embrace having a process to accomplish a goal. {https://thens.ls/3uPqit3}Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop