"Start with gratitude." And, "Infuse with gratitude to defuse." In this third episode of season 3 of Working Gratitude, we speak with Kerry Wekelo, COO, Actualize Consulting. Recorded in the early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic, we address gratitude during crisis and conflict. We discuss starting difficult conversations with gratitude and appreciation. Kerry is also the author of "Culture Infusion: 9 Principles to Create and Maintain a Thriving Organizational Culture" and soon to be released "Gratitude Infusion." We discuss using gratitude to "infuse and defuse." Her book and program resulted in Actualize Consulting being named a Top Company Culture by Entrepreneur Magazine, Top Work Place by The Washington Post, and a Great Place to Work. Her educational background includes a double major in Finance/Marketing and an MBA in Information Technology. Kerry has been featured on ABC, NBC, NPR, The New York Times, Thrive Global, SHRM, Inc., and National Mortgage Magazine. More about Kerry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerryelam/ Culture Infusion: http://bit.ly/cultureinfusion Actualize Consulting: http://www.actualizeconsulting.com/ Working Gratitude: http://workinggratitude.com Working Gratitude on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-gratitude/ Darin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdarinhollingsworth/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorkinGratitude/

Author/speaker Mike Robbins has a new book coming out later in April 2020. Who could have known when he completed the book in August 2019 with a publishing date of late Spring 2020 that we would be saying and be hyper aware of the idea that "We Are All In This Together". Mike is a fellow podcaster too with "We Are All In This Together" and among is previous four books, two of my favorites are "Bring Your Whole Self to Work" and "Focus on the Good Stuff." In this episode, recorded on March 30, early in the COVID-19 pandemic we discuss the threads of continuity that run through all of Mike's writing, speaking, coaching and podcasts. Mike is a sincere and authentic human who brings every intention and possibility for authenticity, vulnerability, kindness and compassion. More about Mike's new book "We're All in This Together": https://mike-robbins.com/together/ His podcast: https://mike-robbins.com/podcasts/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/ More about about Darin and previous Working Gratitude podcasts: https://odonatacoaching.com/working-gratitude LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-gratitude/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OdonataCoaching/

Lauren "LOLO" Pritchard weaves gratitude throughout our conversation as she has her life and career. Currently living in her hometown of Jackson, TN, LOLO has been performing on stage in theatre and as a singer/songwriter since she was very young. From her first publishing deal in 2008 through her 2017 Grammy nomination for collaboration with Panic! At the Disco she is a chart topper. The global hit “High Hopes” achieved #1 on all radio platforms and was the longest running song on Billboard's Rock Chart. She originated the role of Ilse in the 8- time Tony Award winning Broadway musical Spring Awakening, and is the composer and lyricist of the country/folk musical Songbird (book by Michael Kimmel, dir. Gaye Taylor Upchurch.) New music coming to your ears Friday, March 27th!! “I Want It All” will be available on all internet & streaming platforms. Congratulations to Lauren on her marriage to Colton Cobb, Saturday, March 21, 2020 – creatively celebrated with appropriate social distancing and streamed for friends and family online. http://lolomusic.com LOLO – YouTube – “Shine” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9FcMIYatmI LOLO on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weaponforsaturday/ Panic! At The Disco – YouTube - “High Hopes” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPXIgEAGe4U A creative and grateful way to do a wedding amidst social distancing - https://people.com/human-interest/broadway-star-lolo-weekend-wedding-live-streaming-coronavirus-exclusive/

Welcome back to Working Gratitude. This episode is a preview of what we will be sharing with you in Season 3. After nearly 70 episodes of the podcast over the past 2 season, Darin is excited to share more guests who are intentional about bringing gratitude to work every day. Darin also previews some writing that he will be sharing in the coming months as well as a quick overview of one the latest books he has listened to. For more information: [email protected] OdonataCoaching.com LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/3a6R70F The Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education: http://ccare.stanford.edu/

Chris Murchison is a passionate advocate for positive workplace culture. In his broad career spanning the higher education, for-profit, not-for-profit, and foundation sectors he has focused his energy on developing creative means to build community at work and practices that support an employee experience of deep respect, connection, joy, and generative learning. Video link: Greater Good - Gratitude at Work - Chris Murchison Chris is an independent organizational culture consultant, coach, and advisor—shares how gratitude can be incorporated into different aspects of work life. http://bit.ly/2Ub2FbI Please subscribe to Working Gratitude. Give us your feedback with ratings and reviews and e-mail to [email protected] For additional information please visit: https://odonatacoaching.com/

Dr. Tim Seelig, San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus, Director & Conductor, is my guest this week. "He is a conductor, singer, teacher and motivational speaker...he continues a busy guest-conducting schedule throughout the U.S. and across the globe...holds four degrees, including the Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of North Texas and the Diploma from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria...authored seven books and DVDs...in addition to conducting and writing, he has commissioned choral works for a variety of amazing organizations... amfAR The Foundation for AIDS Research Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation featuring Dr. Maya Angelou and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital featuring Marlo Thomas..." http://www.timseelig.com/ And he is grateful! Please leave us your feedback, ratings and reviews. Visit our website http://www.workinggratitude.com or https://odonatacoaching.com/

Kyle is the Founder, CEO of Be Courageous, the global growth platform helping leaders and organizations create their future today through courageous breakthroughs in culture, strategy and Innovation. He has collectively advised, facilitated, trained and keynoted over 2500+ sessions to more than 500+ brands in over 20+ countries across a broad range of industries and cultures. Apart from helping the growth and transformation in others; Kyle is a performing and recording musician and competes in ironman triathlons. Kyle's band, El Cajon: https://www.elcajonmusic.com/ Be Courageous: https://www.becourageousinnovation.com/ Listen to the end of this week’s episode and post show info for a special offer. For more information or to contact Darin Hollingsworth, please visit: http://www.workinggratitude.com/

Najma Khorrami is the Founder of Gratitude Circle, a new social media empowerment app/platform and tech startup. As a writer, she has contributed to The Huffington Post, Success Magazine, Thrive Global, Sivana East and Layali Webzine. She holds a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from The George Washington University and a Global Health Certificate from The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She aims to contribute to self-empowerment for audiences of all ages using the Gratitude Circle app and platform. Najma is also an NASM Certified Personal Trainer helping clients of various ages and backgrounds with their fitness. Visit her website at: www.gratcircle.com & join the Gratitude Circle app today!! Greater Good Magazine article: How Cultural Differences Shape Your Gratitude http://bit.ly/2GQpkVy

Byron Earnheart is the Programming Director for the Barret School of Banking in Memphis, TN and the host of the “Main Street Banking” podcast…the only podcast solely devoted to community banks. He has over 15 years experience in the financial services industry; 11 of which have been in banking in various roles from teller work to branch management. He spends his time playing guitar and singing in Delta Heart (the “house band of the Mississippi Delta”), writing music, cooking, reading, and enduring the University of Tennessee Volunteers athletic seasons. He is married to his wife Kelly of 10 years and has two children, John Aubrey (9) and Mary Laura (5).

In part 2 of our conversation Dr. Paul White we look more closely at his newest book, The Vibrant Workplace: Overcoming the Obstacles to Building a Culture of Appreciation. https://www.appreciationatwork.com/the-vibrant-workplace/ For the past 20 years, Dr. White has improved numerous businesses, non-profit organizations, schools and medical facilities by helping them: * Decrease cynicism and negative communication among employees * Create positive workplace relationships and environments * Reduce the frustration level of managers and supervisors * Raise the level of job satisfaction for both employees and volunteers. * Increase employee engagement, attendance, and productivity. Clients include Microsoft, NASA, L'Oreal, MGM Resorts, The Salvation Army, numerous hospitals, schools, government agencies, and over 700 colleges and universities. Find Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. White at our website: http://workinggratitude.com/ or wherever you listen. We will be taking a week off. Look for our next episode on July 31! Thank you for listening. Please subscribe and give us feedback with your ratings and reviews and share Working Gratitude with friends and colleagues on social media.

Part 1 of 2 - Conversation with Dr. Paul White, author of Rising Above a Toxic Workplace; The Vibrant Workplace; and co-author of The 5 Languages of Appreciation at Work with Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages. For the past 20 years, Dr. White has improved numerous businesses, non-profit organizations, schools and medical facilities by helping them: * Decrease cynicism and negative communication among employees * Create positive workplace relationships and environments * Reduce the frustration level of managers and supervisors * Raise the level of job satisfaction for both employees and volunteers. * Increase employee engagement, attendance, and productivity. Clients include Microsoft, NASA, L'Oreal, MGM Resorts, The Salvation Army, numerous hospitals, schools, government agencies, and over 700 colleges and universities. In part 2 of this conversation we will look more closely at Dr. White's newest book, The Vibrant Workplace: Overcoming the Obstacles to Building a Culture of Appreciation. https://www.appreciationatwork.com/the-vibrant-workplace/