R.O.G. Return on Generosity

55. Mary Ann Newell and Jaylen Dotson - Accessible Voices

55. Mary Ann Newell and Jaylen Dotson  - Accessible Voices
“'We’re not that different. We're really not that different from other people who are in the way we think and approach the world, but just that we have to communicate who we are.” – Jaylen Dotson
Guest Info:
Mary Ann Newell is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been supporting students with autism spectrum disorder in various capacities for nearly ten years. In her current role, she helps students navigate the challenges of university life and to increase their academic and social competence. Prior to joining the ASPIRE team, Mary Ann taught special education and supervised a clinical treatment team providing comprehensive intervention services to individuals with ASD. Mary Ann has received extensive training in the areas of play and relationship-based therapy, assessment and support of individuals on the spectrum, and in the treatment of trauma.Mary Ann received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Chester University and her master’s degree in clinical counseling from Chestnut Hill College.  Jaylen Dotson is a graduate of Saint Joseph's University with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and a working SCHOLAR at the Kinney Center. In his current role, he is the editor in chief of the Camp Kinney newsletter and is currently producing an end-of-summer video celebrating the work done by the Kinney Center. Prior to becoming a scholar, Jaylen's first job was with the Department of Defense. During the summers, he worked as a Management Clerk and then a Management Assistant, aiding his supervisors in a variety of administrative tasks. Jaylen is also a writer for the Hawk Newspaper whose column "CineHawk" provides incisive reviews and analysis of the latest theatrical and streaming releases. Before graduating, Jaylen spent two semesters as a peer mentor, providing valuable to younger students at Kinney using his own experience. He also frequently manned the front desk, a task he still occasionally fulfills as needed. Jaylen was quite active in several clubs on campus, including Improv, College Democrats, and Radio 1854.
 
Favorite Quote:
Mary Ann: "We cannot change what we are not aware of, and once we are aware, we cannot help but change.” — Sheryl Sandberg
Jaylen: “I am bent, but not broken. I am scarred, but not disfigured. I am sad, but not hopeless. I am tired, but not powerless. I am angry, but not bitter." — HealthyPlace.com
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
1. Learn the Vocabulary  
One thing all of us must do is get our vocabulary right on differences we don’t know enough about. Vocab and terminology from this episode:
ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder 
Neurodiversity - The range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. This term is typically used to describe people with ASD, but may also refer to other differences such as ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and dyspraxia.
Neurotypical - Term used to reference those who do not have a condition that would qualify them as neurodiverse.
2. Acceptable behaviors. It's important to identify and recognize what behavioral norms are tolerated in our organizations. Behaviors often associated with ASD compared to other tolerated workplace behavior. We need to check our conditioning about what’s acceptable. For example, being literal vs. being aggressive.
Resources:
Mary Ann Newell on LinkedIn
Jaylen Dotson on LinkedIn
St. Joseph’s Kinney Center for Autism Support Studies
Mary Ann Newell: Assistant Director of College Support Kinney Center
‘CineHawk’ Jaylen Dotson ’21 Shares His Final Review Before Commencement
Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage by Robert D. Austin and Gary P. Pisano, HRB Magazine (May–June 2017)
 
Coming Next:
Episode 56: we will be joined by Mia Ives-Rublee, Director, Disability Justice Initiative - Center for American Progress Action Fund
 
Credits:
Mary Ann Newell, Jaylen Dotson, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.

54. Victoria Arlen - Accessible Voices

54. Victoria Arlen - Accessible Voices
“What am I doing? How do I do this? How do I get out of it? I think it's staying rooted in your empathy, love, joy, and gratitude, and sprinkling your faith amongst it all. I think those are big things...taking yourself out of the ego and being like, What do I want to give to this world? Because we only have a limited time here. So leave your impact, because we're all able to leave an impact here.” Victoria Arlen
 
Guest Info:
Victoria Arlen’s life drastically changed in 2006 at the tender age of eleven when she developed two rare conditions known as Transverse Myelitis and Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. This was an incredibly rare scenario and Victoria quickly lost the ability to speak, eat, walk and move. She slipped into a vegetative state in which doctors had written her off as a lost cause. Victoria spent nearly four years “locked” inside her own body completely aware of what was going on just unable to move or communicate. Doctors believed there was little hope of survival and recovery was unlikely. Victoria, however was not ready to give up. In 2010 after almost four years she began the nearly impossible fight back to life. Learning how to speak, eat and move all over again.
Victoria went on to exceedingly defy the odds and not only recovered but has since become an accomplished Motivational Speaker, Television Host and Swimmer. Her swimming resume includes three Silvers and a Gold medal from the London 2012 Paralympic Games as well as multiple World, American and Pan American Records. 
In April 2015, Victoria made the transition from professional athlete to sportscaster and joined ESPN as one of the youngest on air talents hired by the company and reports and hosts across all platforms. In the Spring of 2016 Victoria defied yet another odd and after spending nearly a decade in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down was able to learn how take one step after another and eventually not only did she learn how to walk but within a year and a half in the Fall of 2017 she learned to dance as a contestant on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars. Victoria and her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy quickly became fan favorites. 
Victoria is also carrying out her dream of helping others, serving as the Founder and Co-Chair of Victoria's Victory Foundation, a nonprofit that assists those with mobility challenges to achieve their own personal victory. 
Victoria’s book titled Locked In hit stores worldwide in August of 2018 and in April of 2018 ESPN Films debuted a 30 for 30 titled “Locked In” based on Victoria’s story at the Tribeca Film Festival. Victoria was a contributing producer for the film. Victoria became the face of Jockey in May of 2018 and debuted her signature clothing line Jockey by Victoria Arlen in September of 2019.  In July of 2019 Victoria was announced as the new host of America Ninja Warrior jr, Season 2 which aired in February 2020. 
In the last year Victoria has branched into more creative spaces in both acting, producing, fashion and hosting with a variety of projects currently in the works.
Victoria has become world famous not only for her story and accomplishments but for her message:  “Face It, Embrace It, Defy It, Conquer It“ ™ 
VictoriaArlen.com
 
Favorite Quote:
“Face it. Embrace it. Defy it. Conquer it.” — Victoria Arlen
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Three things for us to model in our own lives: 
Gratitude 
Attitude 
Community
Gratitude:
Gratitude has been proven to improve our health, wellness, relationships and perspective. 
What’s something you’re taking for granted right now? 
Attitude:
Attitude determines altitude. Attitude is everything. Charles Swindoll wrote, “Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% what we do about it.” How would you describe – in general – your attitude? 
Community:
Who’s in your community? How do they support you? How do you support them?  Invest in your communities. They are precious gifts for us – and meet the human need to belong.
 
Resources:
VictoriaArlen.com
VictoriasVictory.org
Locked In - The Will to Survive and the Will to Live by Victoria Arlen
Careers at Disney/ ESPN https://jobs.disneycareers.com/espn 
 
Coming Next:
Episode 55, we will be joined by Mary Ann Newell and Jaylen Dotson from St. Joseph University’s Kinney Center for Autism Education and Support. They will dispel some of the myths about autism and share the truth about the talent and capability of people with autism. Don’t miss it!
 
Credits:
Victoria Arlen, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy, Bridge Between, Inc.

53. Kyle Coon - Accessible Voices

53. Kyle Coon - Accessible Voices
“There's always a path forward. There's never a wall that you come to and it's just impossible to get through. If you can't go straight through, the obstacle or barrier in your way, then there's a way around it, or maybe, you just have to climb up and over it." 
 
Guest Info:
Kyle Coon lost his sight at the age of six  after a battle with Retinoblastoma—cancer of the eye. However, not having sight has not stopped him from pursuing vision. Since then he has become a competitive rock climber, downhill skier, runner and triathlete.
As a young child, Kyle was shown how to embrace his adversity by world-class blind athlete Erik Weihenmayer who encouraged him to live life to the fullest. Kyle took Weihenmayer’s advice to heart and began pursuing a life of adventure.
In 2006, he hiked the Ankascocha Trail into Machu Picchu. In 2007, he summited Mt. Kilimanjaro at the age of 15.
After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Communication, he became an endurance athlete competing in numerous marathons and triathlons. In 2018, he was a member of the first team of tandem cyclists with all blind or visually impaired stokers (person on the back of a tandem bike) to complete Race Across America—the world’s toughest bicycle race—racing from Oceanside, Calif to Annapolis, Md in seven days 15 hours. Later in 2018, at Ironman Arizona, Kyle became the first totally blind person to complete an Ironman branded Triathlon (2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike, 26.2 mi run) in under 11 hours. He continues to push himself physically and mentally as he now pursues his goal of representing the USA at the 2020 Paralympics in the sport of Triathlon.
As a young man, Kyle has spoken to major organizations about his adversity and triumphs including various Rotary Clubs in Florida and Taiwan, the International Association of Refrigerated Warehousing, and The American Cancer Society. He has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in Backpacker and Triathlete magazines.
Losing sight has only served as a base for Kyle’s ability to master his ambitions despite his inability to see them. Inspiring those with similar challenges and sharing a few laughs along the way has become his trademark. Drawing upon his experiences as a totally blind person and adventure athlete, he demonstrates the importance of vision, commitment and courage to pursuing an “Eyeronvision” and embracing the adversity along our life’s journey.
While he wasn’t the first blind person to climb a mountain, run a marathon or compete in a triathlon, his goal is to be one of the best and ensure he isn’t the last.
 
Favorite Quote:
"Make good choices." — Ann Marie Coon
"It's our attitude that allows us to learn from mistakes and that in turn enables one to be great beyond imagination." — Steve Coon
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Accomplishing can feel like a "false summit". Achieve your goal. Enjoy the view. Set your sights on the next one to stay motivated.
We all can have vision that isn't quantified by sight. Honor your vision. Embrace it. Be relentless in pursuit of your vision. Prioritize and give your best energy to the actions that lead you toward the realization of it.
Make good choices. Make good choices. What are you willing to stop doing? What are will you start doing? What will you continue doing? 
Resources:
KyleCoon.com
Kyle on Facebook (KyleCoonSpeaks)
Kyle on Twitter (@Kyle_Coon)
Kyle on Instagram (@EyeronKyle)
"Discovering a Life Without Limits" by Kyle Coon
Team USA - Kyle Coon
NoBarriersUSA.org
JAN - Job Accommodation Network
NoBarriersUSA.org
Kyle's profile on TeamUSA.org
Kyle's Interview in Trail Runner Magazine
Kyle on USA Today - "Athletes with visual impairments, blindness bike across America to inspire others"
Orlando Sentinel - "Blind triathlete from Orlando prepares for first Ironman"
Kyle's Interview with Orlando Sentinel
Central Florida's News13's - "Blind climber inspires others to overcome obstacles"
ABC Nightline's story on "Global Explorer's Leading the Way Program"
ABC World News' "Person of the Week - Erik Weihenmayer" (leader of Kyle's first international hiking trip)
Denver's 9 News - "Blind Colorado athlete sets Ironman record"
Credits:
Kyle Coon, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy

52. Jessica Keogh - Accessible Voices

52. Jessica Keogh - Accessible Voices
“For employers, I think just realizing that people with disabilities have unique strengths. We really are some of the best problem-solvers and very dedicated workers. Working really hard, it's just something that we're used to because we've had to do it our entire lives. And, that carries over into the workplace" 
 
Guest Info:
Jessica Keogh M. Ed
Founder and President of Faith Above my Ability
​Jessica is the founder and President of Faith Above my Ability. She is a 32 year old woman with a progressive Neuromuscular disorder that is yet to be diagnosed. Jessica felt called to create this nonprofit as she continually looks to Jesus for her identity and worth. Knowing first hand how challenging life is with a physical disability, Keogh desires to help others as they navigate resources and tools to live independently. ​Jessica is currently working on her doctorate and teaches special education full time. Keogh is fiercely passionate, dedicated, and determined to not only make the world a more inclusive place, but change the narrative surrounding disability! 
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Be more compassionate toward others, and ourselves.
Don't ask, "What's wrong with you?" or "What happened to you?"
Ask for help. It's a sign of strength.
 Recognize and offer your natural gifts and talents. Generously put them to good use.
Until next week, stay generous everyone!
Favorite Quote:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did,  but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Dr. Maya Angelou
 
Resources:
Faith Above My Ability on Twitter (@Faith_MyAbility)
Faith Above My Ability on Facebook
Faith Above My Ability on Instagram
Capital Wire - PA House Panel Approves Senate-Passed Bill to Help Disabled
Office of Disability Employment Policy - Ideas for Employers and Employees
"Working Works" Poster Series
Job Accommodation Network - Multimedia Training Microsite
AskEarn.org
ROG Episode 22 - Givers Need Askers: Turn the Wheel of Reciprocity and Ask
Credits:
Jessica Keogh, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy

51. Tim Kachuriak - People Give to People

51. Tim Kachuriak - People Give to People
“The number one thing that really moves the needle in a significant way is how effectively the organization communicates their value proposition...what we've learned about the value proposition is that there's four key dimensions of an effective value proposition...appeal...has to be exclusive...credibility...and then the final piece is clarity. And this is the one that I think - That most non-profits and for-profits alike struggle with." 
 
Guest Info:
Tim Kachuriak
Founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer, NextAfter
Tim Kachuriak is the founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer for NextAfter, a fundraising research lab and consulting firm that works with businesses, nonprofits, and NGOs to help them grow their resource capacity.
A nonprofit thought leader, Kachuriak is the author of the book Optimize Your Fundraising, lead researcher and co-author of the Online Fundraising Scorecard, Why Should I Give to You? (The Nonprofit Value Proposition Index Study), and The Midlevel Donor Crisis. Kachuriak has trained organizations in fundraising optimization around the world and is a frequent speaker at international nonprofit conferences. Learn more about Tim’s speaking here.
Kachuriak is also the co-founder and board member for the Human Coalition, a member of the board of directors for Open Doors USA, an Advisory Board Member for the SMU Digital Accelerator, Advisory Board Member for Kids Prosper Kids, and an Advisory Board Member for the Blackbaud Institute for Philanthropic Impact.
Kachuriak lives in Prosper, TX with his wife Rebecca, and their four children: Max (13), Charlie (11), Gracie (10), and Joey (4).
https://www.nextafter.com/about-us/tim-kachuriak/ 
About NextAfter: NextAfter is a fundraising research lab and consultancy that works with cause-driven businesses and nonprofit organizations to help them better understand their customers and inspire their donors to give generously. Over the past six years, we have documented over 1,045 online experiments spanning a total sample of over 222,872,564 individual touchpoints with organizations such as Boys Town, Compassion International, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Focus on the Family, National Breast Cancer Foundation, The Heritage Foundation, Hillsdale College, and many others. The impact of these experiments has produced a cumulative net increase in response of 50,842.7% for our clients (as of 4/6/18). The goal of our experimentation and research is to understand what makes people give so that we can unleash the most generous generation in the history of the world.
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
People give to PEOPLE (not companies)
Why do you give? 
Obligation
Guilt / Gratitude
Identity
Mission
Impact
Personal Connection
Want to be a Part of Something
Tell a story!
This week, focus on the people you give to. Consider how the “people give to people” is modeled in your life. Think about why you give – what’s driving your generosity? And lastly, tell compelling stories.
Until next week, stay generous everyone!
 
Resources:
Tim Kachuriak on LinkedIn
Time Kachuriak on Twitter (@DigitalDonor)
Next After on Twitter (@NextAfter_)
Credits:
Tim Kachuriak, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy

50. Karen Gray - A+E Culture of Kindness

50. Karen Gray - A+E Culture of Kindness
“People sometimes confuse kindness with avoiding direct conversation. But, actually kindness is equal to direct conversation. And if you don't have direct conversations, if you're afraid in a business when something's not going right to say, you know, this isn't going right, but say it respectfully. Then you have a problem in your business on the flip side, when we're doing that, when we're saying this isn't going right, but I have to be kind and respectful when I convey this information to you. Now, both parties or multiple parties are in a place where they can think through and get to the issues." 
 
Guest Info:
Karen Gray is Executive Vice President, Human Resources for A+E Networks® Group, which encompasses A&E®, Lifetime®, The HISTORY® Channel, Lifetime® Movies, FYI,™ and VICELANDSM. She was named to the role in June 2019 and has oversight of the company’s human resource functions globally, including culture, diversity, inclusion and all people-focused initiatives. 
Gray comes to A+E Networks® from Christie’s Inc., where she served the Americas as Senior Vice President, General Counsel from 2008 to 2015; Chief Operations Officer from 2011 to 2016; and most recently, Head of Human Resources. 
She brings to the role a unique mix of human resources, legal and business expertise and will serve on the executive management team, reporting directly to A+E Networks Group President Paul Buccieri.
Previously, Gray worked at Reuters as Senior Vice President and Principal Legal Counsel for the company’s business support group. Prior to Reuters, she was an attorney with the law firm of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft.
Gray is a graduate of Williams College and Harvard Law School.  
 
Favorite Quote:
 
"Speak truth to power" — unknown
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
What are ways you can communicate more clearly, frequently and collaboratively this week? 
If giving feedback were a muscle. how “in shape” are you? Think of every day at work as an opportunity for reps. Get stronger every day.  
Kindness is the willingness to speak, change, influence and lead. Where’s an opportunity in your organization to offer kindness? 
Inclusion – how can you create space for more voices to be heard? 
Speak truth to power in ways that are productive, professional and kind.
Measure what matters.
 
Resources:
Karen Gray - Executive Vice President Human, Resources
A+E Networks
A+E Shows
Voices Magnified
Karen Gray, Variety Magazine, June 15, 2021
Paul Buccieri President & Chairman | A+E Networks Group, The Marque
Credits:
Karen Gray, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy

49. Loraine Martins - Active Listening

49. Loraine Martins - Active Listening
“Give people space. you listen. You're patient. You have a kind of physical interaction which is the nodding and affirmation. Indicate that you are actually listening. Your cpacity to play back what you've heard...helps to reinforce and give others confidence that you've actually been listening to what they've said." 
 
Guest Info:
Loraine Martins, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, Network Rail, which maintains and develops Britain’s rail infrastructure.  With some 42,000 employees, it is the fastest growing railway in Europe.  Loraine leads a centre of expertise which supports Network Rail’s ambition to be a more open, diverse and inclusive business.  
Previously, Loraine lead a multi-award-winning team, delivering a programme of equality and inclusion and employment and skills in the construction of its infrastructure, venues and facilities on the Olympic Park for London 2012.  For this work Loraine was awarded an MBE.  Loraine is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
As the vice chair of the Trust for London, a grant-making body which tackles inequality and poverty in the capital, Loraine chaired the working group that funded London Living Wage campaign.  In October 2019 Inclusive Boards and the Financial Times announced that Loraine has been included in the top 100 women influencing engineering in the UK.  In November 2019, Loraine was awarded the Mike Nichols Award (Association of Project Management APM) which recognises contributions to transformational change for the world and society. And in the 2020 Queen’s New Year’s honours list, Loraine was been awarded an OBE her work on diversity and inclusion at Network Rail.
 
Favorite Quote:
 
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel” — Dr. Maya Angelou
 
R.O.G. Takeaway Tips:
Seek first to understand before being understood. Actively listen and ask questions to clarify what you heard.
Help create psychological safety in your organization. Enable people to feel comfortable sharing opinions, asking questions and making mistakes. 
 
Resources:
Loraine Martins on Twitter (@MartinsLoraine)
Loraine Martins on LinkedIn
The GC Index
Hear My Story: Loraine Martins MBE
Women in Rail Interview 2012
Credits:
Loraine Martins, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy

48. Likky Lavji - Blind Spots

48. Likky Lavji - Blind Spots
“Leaders are realizing that it's about looking at people's hidden potentials and leading the people and not the company. You lead the people. You work...with them and find out exactly who they are, what they need and be there for the people that you have ...you become this incredible leader, the organization just shifts - and the people within that organization shift as well" 
 
Guest Info:
A sought-after keynote speaker, Likky Lavji is passionate about helping others “break barriers” to unleash their human potential. In fact, his middle name, Madat, translates to ‘help’ and he channels this into providing value in every relationship he has – personal and professional. With over 25 years as a CEO of a top IT company, Likky’s extensive experience in executive leadership has given him a unique perspective that remains unchartered by leaders and organizations in understanding the layers beneath human behavior and how it impacts growth and productivity of an organization. He has been acknowledged by prominent organizations, including Telus Corporation, Lenovo Canada and Royal Bank of Canada for his ability to create mindset shift when it comes to commitment and powerful performance to achieve results.
 
Navigating through our blind spots shouldn’t be all that difficult naturally, or at least we would like to think so. That’s why it’s our BS. There are things we like to believe about ourselves, when in the perception of others, we may be something completely different entirely. At times, we can find ourselves thinking we are already better than we are or have gone further than we actually have. This is unfortunately why many do not reach their full potential. These Blind Spot behaviors only sabotage our own steps in progress, and sadly, the cost of this can be an unfulfilled life or business, and needless failed relationships over time. Once you’re aware of your own BS, the world will open up to you in a whole new way. 
 
Favorite Quote:
 
“I am not who you think I am; I am not who I think I am; I am who I think you think I am” — Charles Horton Cooley
 
Resources:
LikkyLavji.com
Likky on Twitter (@LikkyLavji)
Discover Your Blind Spots — Free Assessment
Death by B.S.  - Book Shop
Death by B.S.  - Amazon
B.S. Keynote
Likky's Guest Appearance on the Go Giver Podcast
E-book : Trust Building E-books
Motivator V. Analyzer
Credits:
Likky Lavji, Sheep Jam Productions, Host Shannon Cassidy