The Ripple Effect Podcast with Steve Harper

Steve met Helen years ago at a corporate training and well, that's all it took for them to become friends. Well that, a few lunches and some fun conversations about changing the world. Oh and maybe a little Scottish futbol for dessert. Helen Lenk is someone you just instantly fall in love with. Whether it's her strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service or her never-ending commitment to get the job done right, Helen is up for whatever challenge she has in front of her. She has an incredible personality and is smart as a whip. We've been excited to watch her lean into her power and land in a role where her efforts are literally creating Ripples and driving corporate culture. And don't think that's all! She's just getting started. Check out Helen's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-lenk-35294662/

Tom Cottar is a native Texan, author, award-winning songwriter, and entrepreneur. Tom and his wife, Heather, founded Backpack Friends Incorporated in 2018 to combat food insecurity among children in central Texas. They began by feeding 12 children in the Pflugerville ISD and now have fed almost 100,000 children to date across the area. And it’s growing literally by the minute. With a fierce passion for creating a great community, Tom believes leadership isn’t about being in charge. It’s about caring for those in your charge. Tom lives in Pflugerville with his wife, two dogs, three kids, and 11 guitars. You can find out more at backpackfriends.com or tomcottar.com, or by following @BackpackFriendsOfficial across social media.

You will absolutely love Alli Onni. She has a gentle spirit, a quick wit, and a wicked smart brain. I was thrilled to have her on as a guest so you can meet this amazing woman. She's not only a data-driven change agent but a Rippler through and through. Alli Onni has over 20 years of consulting experience providing insight to how organizations work. Her experience includes extensive work in change management, organizational development, information technology and business operations. She has led global teams embracing the diversity of people from over 90 countries and 17 languages. She is recognized for her commitment to leader development and personal growth for teams and individuals at every organizational level. Alli is on a secret mission that she tells everyone. Her mission is to create work environments, and partnerships that nourish talent, cultivate innovation and commit to excellence. Alli currently resides in the Austin Texas area. In her free time she is an avid writer, dog fanatic and taco connoisseur.

I met Natasha Link on social media and we've become Twitter friends. Her witty one-liners and her amazing way of serving her clients had me super intrigued. I just had to bring her onto the show because well, she's an interesting woman doing some really cool things in the world. She has clearly embraced her Freedom To Be Herself which aligns perfectly with our theme this month at Ripple Headquarters. Check out Natasha's work at writingsbynatasha.com

Andrea Scher is an author, artist, and life coach whose work is driven by her belief in the transformative power of creativity for joy and well-being. For nearly two decades, through her award-winning blog Superhero Journal, her Creative Superheroes podcast, and her bestselling e-courses, Andrea has thrilled others with their own power to find magic all around them. Her new book, Wonder Seeker: 52 Ways to Wake up Your Creativity and Find Your Joy (HarperCollins) straddles the world of creativity and mindfulness - playfully inspiring readers to live more vibrant lives full of presence, joy and connection. You can learn more about Andrea on her website: andreasher.com or follow her on Instagram: @andreascher.

Steve shares what it takes to find the courage to be yourself and to stop listening to those who we feel compelled to change for.

Our special guest today, Ruby Payne, is the authority on working across economic classes to create sustainable communities where everyone can live well. An engaging and down-to-earth speaker, Payne translates abstract concepts into concrete strategies with a sense of humor that leaves audiences wanting more. After changing the conversation in education to focus on poverty, Payne’s work expanded into social services, criminal justice, healthcare, the workplace, and emotional poverty. Two recent publications won IPPY awards: Emotional Poverty in All Demographics and Before You Quit Teaching. -------------------------------------------------------------------------To inquire about Steve's availability for conference keynotes, corporate training or performance coaching please contact info@ripplecentral.com follow me: on http://www.ripplecentral.com on http://instagram.com/rippleon on https://www.facebook.com/rippleon on https://twitter.com/rippleon

"You don't get what you don't ask for!" - Lynn Smith I took a big chance and swung for the fences when I summoned up the courage to ask anchor alum turned entrepreneur, Lynn Smith, to come on The Ripple Effect Podcast. I haven't been that nervous to ask anyone anything since prom. Well, she said YES! To the interview, not prom. I mean had she gone to prom with me then man, who knows where my life would be right now! Seriously, I was so excited and beyond humbled to have this literal rock star on the show. Here's a little bit about Lynn: Lynn Smith is a National Media Expert, Consultant, Keynote Speaker, and host of “StrollerCoaster” a parenting podcast brought to you by Munchkin the world most loved baby brand in the world. Previously, she spent 15 years as a news anchor at TODAY Show, NBC News, MSNBC, and CNN Headline News. In 2021, Smith left TV News to launch her company Rylan Media, which takes her media insight and expertise to tackle corporate and individuals greatest branding and communications challenges. She advises leaders on how to develop, craft and communicate a compelling message as well as how to take that message to powerful platforms in the media and any video platform. Smith is also the founder of Crush it on TV and Crush it on Video, an immersive on-demand program to help experts craft, pitch, and book media appearances. It doesn’t matter if you are booked, it matters if you are GOOD on TV and that’s what she helps her clients do. In 2022, she released her e-book “Confidence Quotient: Proven techniques to increase your self-confidence and decrease the self-doubt holding you back”. Check out her website at Lynnsmithtv.com SPECIAL BONUS!!! Get hands-on training directly from Lynn with this special offer for The Green Room Program. This is an essential course for any entrepreneur, business leader, and anyone looking to generate more press and media coverage. Use this special link to sign up right now! https://lynnsmith.podia.com/green-room/ag9cv

I had an amazing time interviewing Jeffrey Davis. Jeffrey is the author of 4 books including his latest, Tracking Wonder. A friend of mine put this book on my radar and man am I glad she did. It's amazing. I liked it so much that I read it twice. Jeffrey has a gentle and informed way of communicating and that's why after listening to his narration of the book on Audible, I just knew I had to meet him. I was absolutely thrilled he agreed to come on the podcast. Our conversation flowed so easily that I quite positive it could have gone on for hours! I know once you hear this one, you'll want to learn more about Jeffrey and his company so please check out trackingwonder.com and buy his books. You can thank me later! BONUS! Jeffrey has made a special link for our listeners to receive the first chapter of Tracking Wonder for free! Scroll to the bottom of the page! https://trackingwonder.com/speaking-2... Jeffrey's bio: Jeffrey Davis is an author, team culture consultant, innovation & thought leader strategist, speaker, and CEO of Tracking Wonder Consultancy. For over 25 years, he’s worked with and inspired thousands of change makers and creatives to unlock their best ideas through the pursuit of curiosity, innovation, and wonder. He writes for Psychology Today and other outlets. Jeffrey’s evidence-based body of work bears out the power of wonder to transform lives and spark influence, as well as the capacity for individuals and teams to thrive creatively through times of rampant challenge and change.

Listen for just a few minutes and you'll be hooked on wanting to know more about this amazing human being called Steph Silver. She is the living embodiment of a Rippler. Check out her amazing agency and her incredible podcast, MVP Business, at vine-collective.com. Steph Silver is on a mission to enhance as many lives as possible through cultivating meaningful and memorable experiences. Having been a leader in sales, marketing, and brand experience for over 20 years, Steph founded VINE Collective in 2018, VINE is a leadership development, branding,and marketing agency, formed out of Steph's desire to do part her to improve the world we live in. The unique combination of leadership and sales development paired with branding and marketing, cultivates a collective thought process that fulfills a complete brand and customer experience that empowers meaningful changes. Steph uses her desire for human connection, authentic experiences, and profound growth to train, educate, and amplify leaders and businesses who live through their mission, vision, and passion. You can hear her chat with other passionate business leaders on MVP Business Podcast. She’s driven to build relationships and help people grow, succeed, and connect. When she’s not managing her team, visiting with clients, or thinking of brilliant brand experiences, Steph can usually be found cooking, gardening, dancing, or playing at the park with her two young sons.