The Keynote Curators Podcast

Did you know “how to” are the two most searched words online? People want to know how to do something and do it the best way possible. In the events industry, influential speakers know precisely how to activate their audience and move them to action. And like search engine surfers, audiences want meaningful, digestible, actionable plans to accomplish a task, reach a goal, or start a new initiative. Kelly McDonald’s profound business and communication insights have served my clients for nearly two decades. As founder of McDonald Marketing and an expert in diversity, equity & inclusion, leadership, marketing, and sales, Kelly excels at authentically connecting and communicating with others and teaching uncomplicated approaches to starting and leading uncomfortable but essential conversations in the workplace. Her proprietary STARTING method from her recent bestseller, “How to Talk About Race at Work,” helps organizations apply critical thinking when it comes to the following components of meaningful, authentic, enduring DE&I initiatives in the workplace: ·      Sincerity ·      Transparency ·      Acknowledgement ·      Respect ·      Trust ·      Investment ·      Nurturing talent ·      Goals Whether you’re an employee, a leader, or an employee wanting to lead, you won’t want to miss Kelly’s reflections on the changing role of today’s speaker, unconscious bias and its impact on hiring and employee retention, the importance of advocacy and mentorship at work, and how to root DE&I initiatives into corporate culture, so they grow into perpetual achievements. How does your organization approach DE&I and race?  #diversityequityinclusion #communication #conversationstarters #leadership #keynotespeaker #events #eventmanagement

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." Wise words from Aristotle that still ring true. So, why do many of us still struggle to find satisfaction and meaning at work? A Deloitte report revealed only 12% of people are passionate at work — a startling number for employers striving to retain staff and deliver impactful customer experiences. Learn how a positive mindset creates an atmosphere of goodwill that motivates others and demonstrates engagement and enthusiasm to customers, prospects, and employees. Tune in as Business Leader, Thought Leader, and Maestro Musician Felipe Gomez explains how to apply core virtues of music in business, so you discover pleasure at work. When you turn your passion into a purpose that serves the world around you, extraordinary things happen. Key takeaways: Attitude is everything. Be a magnet for positivity. Appreciate a positive mindset's power and its impact on yourself and others. Recognize that emotions influence actions. Have passion for whatever to do. You do great work when you love what you do. Play your own "music" in life. Philosopher Lao Tzu said, "Music in the soul can be heard by the universe." Find your song – your passion and purpose – practice it daily, and play it so well that you become the masterpiece you were created to be. Don't miss this uplifting podcast as Gomez reveals how to tune your mindset to the right channel, so you find your song and transform it into meaningful work that inspires you and those around you. Do you find passion and purpose at work? Listen in and learn! #positivity #businessvirtuosity #followyourpassion #positivemindset #keynotespeaker #events #eventmanagement

Sometimes we get so focused on our organization’s daily operations that we forget the vital role of a timely, clear, actionable succession plan during a crisis. It's no surprise that behaviors and feelings are rooted in communication. Unclear communication creates uncertainty, distrust, and angst. Clear, authoritative communication forms the bridge between confusion and clarity. Listen in as Lt. Col. Robert Darling, USMC (Ret.) and Leading Crisis Leadership Expert, shares his crisis management experience from the White House on 9/11. Robert explains how having all of the knowledge and power in the world is meaningless if there is no crisis management plan in place and no clear communication that follows. Robert’s biggest lessons learned? Clear communication is your lynchpin in times of crisis; it's essential to maintain trust. When the chain of command knows its roles, individuals feel empowered to make decisions and rise to the occasion during stressful times. If a member of an organization strays outside the decision-making structure that's been established, success is at risk. Organizations should participate in crisis management role-play and practice lack of authority/loss of communication, so everyone is prepared. Have a Plan B in place to tackle communication breakdowns. Successful crisis management and succession plans allow leaders to assess, decide, and act. Don't miss this fascinating 9/11 insider perspective from Robert Darling as he remembers that fateful day, how communication and a crisis management plan influenced leadership and decision-making, and how our country was able to unite during tragedy. #crisismanagement #successionplan #contingencyplan #leadership #communication #keynotespeaker

What does it mean to grow older today compared to 20 or 30 years ago? Developments in science and medicine over the past few decades have dramatically decreased the gap between life span and health span. Today, 50% of the children born in 2007 are projected to live until 104. That’s an astonishing statistic. But is it a state full of hope for everyone? That depends mainly on your mindset, not just genetics and health. During COVID, Kim Lear, a leading generational research consultant, and trendspotter, and her colleagues set out to study the 55+ demographic during the pandemic. They wanted to capture the emotional state of this particular demographic hit hardest by COVID. Their biggest surprise? Forced reinvention. In an age of longevity, Kim shares her thoughts on: How society has neglected to create purpose-driven opportunities for a growing, aging population How COVID served as a personal disruptor and societal accelerator How forced self-reinvention among our aging population gave birth to a new “thrive span” – an indicator of how long you can live a fulfilling life Don’t miss this fascinating, timely podcast as Kim Lear sheds new light on the expression that age is just a number and explains why making life worth living will drive wellness, well-being, and healthcare in our future.

“Helping people live more authentic, inspired, and successful lives.” That’s the mission of meetings and events guru Annette Gregg.  As the former SVP of Experience at MPI and today, its Chief Revenue Officer, Annette is a force to be reckoned with in the meetings and events industry. She’s served in executive-level positions for corporations, associations and non-profits, delivered hundreds of keynotes and workshops on a variety of topics such as communication skills, branding and marketing, negotiation, and professional development, received dozens of professional awards for her training and speaking, and been elected Instructor of the Year at San Diego State University.  Not long ago, I sat down with this beacon of female empowerment to learn how she connects with audiences on important topics including:    Leadership  Empowering women in the workplace  Unlocking teams  Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives  Groundbreaking research into unconscious bias  Psychological safety in the workplace Groupthink vs. freedom of collaboration and their effect on the creative process My conversation with Annette was insightful and inspirational and one that you shouldn’t miss.

There's a saying that your perspective will either be your prison or your passport.  Being open-minded and willing to listen to the stories and opinions of others without judging and closing doors is an admirable trait that will open many doors in life. Those actions often reveal connections and similarities that you would never have known existed. An unwillingness to listen to other perspectives can create damaging and often unnecessary distance between people.  Not long ago, I was privileged to speak with race relations advocate Daryl Davis for an in-depth, eye-opening discussion about humility, confronting fears, and overcoming prejudices. Tune in to this fascinating conversation with a celebrated musician, inspiring TEDx speaker, and unlikely interviewer of Klu Klux Klan members to discover what it takes to close a gap and build a bridge. #humility #perspective #openmind #bridgebuilding #keynotespeaker #events #eventmanagement

Owner of the only all-female Indy Car Racing team, Beth Paretta joins The Keynote Curators podcast for a lively and insightful conversation about competition, business, and making a positive impact on society.  Beth shares how she was able to construct a pit crew from nothing as well as the journey to her team qualifying at the famed Indy 500. A story of innovation, leadership, women in business and so much more, Beth has only just started on what will continue to be history in the making. Her story embodies a powerful message for young girls that they can flourish in any environment they choose. Join us for a fascinating conversation.

After 9/11 I had to shut down a business I built and loved.  All activity came to 100% full stop.  It was painful to move one.  I tried a few things but just couldn't get my MOJO working. Time was fleeting.  I was missing opportunities because of my inaction.  I had to spend my savings, stopped working out, and frankly felt lost. Use A SETBACK for a COMEBACK ✅ Acknowledge the setback ✅  Leave the past in the past and don't look back ✅  Create a new possibility ✅  Align with people who have a "get it done" mindset ✅  Create attainable goals that will build on future goals Quickly things began to turn around. 💡Renewed Energy and Creativity 💡Opportunities opened up 💡New connections wanted to be a part of what I was doing Listen in to my conversation I had with Hall-of-Famer speaker and best-selling author Willie Jolley on How To Turn A Setback Into A Comeback.  I am interested in learning how you have dealt with setbacks. Reach out to me to share your experiences!

I'm scared to be bold. What will people think? Will I look foolish? Sometimes I get trapped in that fear. I know the cost of succumbing to apprehension. Loss of energy, lack of affinity, limited creativity — the list goes on. So, how can I BE BOLD and overcome my anxieties? I ask Jade Simmons this question in our podcast episode. Jade always sees people as being more worthwhile than they see themselves. Jade 'awakened' my BOLDNESS. While I'm still scared, I do it anyway. The payoff is the courage that I gain. Join us on our journey to be BOLD!

Three minutes. That’s all it takes to turn your world upside down and change your life forever. Join me and Suze Yalof Schwartz, Founder/CEO of Unplug Meditation, bestselling author, and creator of the Unplug Meditation App, for an insightful and rewarding episode on the simple steps you can take toward mastering mindfulness. A simple discipline that’s been around for thousands of years and requires practice, mindfulness is a critical self-awareness, self-care tool that generates innumerable mental and physical benefits, from cognitive improvements and emotional regulation to better sleep and stronger relationships. Learn how to slow down, unplug, and feel more present and fulfilled in life. It might just be the best three minutes of your day.