Ucyp: Uphill Conversations Young Professionals

In this episode of UCYP, Megan and Tim have an Uphill Conversation with Katie Leckenbusch on her career and journey in the arts. From college to arts to corporate and back again, there is extreme value in engaging with the arts. Show Notes:  Katie’s current role in the Greenville arts community and her advocacy for the arts in general Katie’s journey from environmental science to theatre How non-profit + theatre skills can transfer well to traditional occupations Working in the arts, you are dealing with deadlines, differing personalities and learning how to work effectively as a team How realizing the waste involved in event marketing impacted Katie Overall Katie wants her career to create a “net positive” Striving for success vs. significance Skills assessment testing and how Katie’s father’s vocation impacted her life and career journey Realizing that there are always compromises in life Value in putting on theatre that is thought-provoking, impactful and tha

In this episode of UCYP, Tim and Megan have an Uphill Conversation with Tyler Harris on his early journey of self discovery, strength in vulnerability + waging war on personal change. Show Notes: Putting value out into the world via social media Mentors can breathe life back into you “Just an ordinary guy trying to do extraordinary things by putting in the extra work” Your life can be turned upside down in an instant Emotional and mental impact of finding yourself alone – no distractions, no noise Taking ownership rather than playing the victim in your own life What if instead of focusing on accolades + things we focused on being an exceptional human beings? Why Tyler is building something with no expectation of financial gain Adversity + transformation vs. transaction Desire to help others experience difficult life challenges sooner Difference between motivation (external) + inspiration (internal) Comeback of vulnerability and recognizing it as a strength: “The rise of the real” Tendency to c

In this episode of UCYP, Tim + Megan have an Uphill Conversation with two young professional attorneys, George Campbell and Jordan Teague, who are not your typical counselors, advisors and advocates. Hear how they left behind the big firms to build something of their own. Show Notes: Benefit of having real word, practical business experience in the legal field “Not every legal problem has a legal solution” Value of having very different but complementary skill sets Recognizing gaps in the market led to starting their own firm Importance of being able to communicate and facilitate so that people from different backgrounds and with different skills can understand one another Use someone else’s underestimation of you to your advantage Misconceptions and fears around engaging an attorney Misconception that attorneys are going to nickel-and-dime you Best way to build a law practice is to gain your clients trust Changing value propositions to be based more on knowledge and expertise th

On the episode of UCYP, Mary Willson joins Megan + Tim for a conversation on the changing landscape of media + journalism, elevating the community voice and hard work. Show Notes Innovation in digital media news through content curation: personalized media made for the busy person Need for media to be collaborative, to elevate the community voice through creating conversation Importance of media being unbiased and objective The changing landscape of media + journalism Still great value in longform journalism in print + digital media, including podcasts Opinion pieces in media to start a conversation towards change Finding balance in differing generational approaches to journalism Accessibility to resources is so much greater now, but there are still “analog” skills and experiences that add incredible value Challenge of not losing oneself (identity + individuality) in an overly-connected world +culture of consumption Many younger YPs have never known true boredom due to easy accessibili

Megan and Tim have an Uphill Conversation on dreams – why people have trouble identifying their dreams and determine if the dream you’re pursuing is truly your own. Show Notes:  4 reasons people why people have trouble identifying their dreams Comfort can be something that stops us from pursuing our dreams Having courage and confidence to go after your dream When someone else owns your dream v. you owning your dream It can be difficult to realize that you aren’t where you’re meant to be; to change direction and to do it without fear “Whatever you think, be sure it is what you think; whatever you want, be sure that it is what you want; whatever you feel, be sure that it is what you feel.” – T.S. Eliot Steps to take ownership of your dreams: Be willing to bet on yourself Lead your life instead of accepting your life Love what you do and do what you love Don’t compare yourself or your dream to others Believe in your vision for the future even when oth

Listen as we discuss vocal art and the power of our words in this great conversation with Jonathan Parker. He believes there is artwork in curiosity, asking great questions, listening and sharing. Show Notes: We are all artists + conversations are our artwork What would happen, how could we change the world, if we took our words more seriously? Curiosity is the canvas of all of our artwork We must define what we believe about ourselves and stay accountable to those beliefs. Our lives are filled with others telling us what we believe – we end up being “counterfeit artists.” We are not defined by our work. The work exists because of us. Self-reflection can be scary. One must grow in self-awareness: seek to understand why they do the things they do You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with – are these the right people? Prescribed authenticity versus true authenticity Everyone desires the opportunity to communicate + the respect to be heard (no matter

Matthew Rollins joins us for an Uphill Conversation on his journey from playing the game of baseball to his current life as an entrepreneur and underdog in a very established industry. Show Notes: Matthew’s journey from athlete to entrepreneur At some point the game will tell you “it’s enough” Intentionality and time it takes to discover your passion Evaluating opportunities and choosing the path your life will take Anchor Bat Company’s focus on quality and design Story behind the meaning of “Anchor” in the company name “We’ll make a bat for anyone, but we’re not for everyone.” Bravery and grit it takes to follow your heart instead of your ego – and to stick with it when times are tough Learning the ins and outs of a very specific industry with strong, established competitors Power in owning your decisions + your circumstance Underdogs and self-belief Joys and challenges of working with family What it feels like to see your

William Timmons joins us for an Uphill Conversation on his journey as a prosecutor, entrepreneur, and South Carolina State Senator. At 33 years of age, he is committed to fixing what’s broken in Columbia, SC. Show Notes: William’s entrepreneurial endeavors: Swamp Rabbit Crossfit + Soul Yoga William’s journey to become a Senator at 32 years old Frustrated by inaction in the Senate, William decided to run for office to try and fix it – “Everything I do in my life, I go all in.” Shocked by the ineffectiveness of the legislation in South Carolina Desire to discuss issues that are most important and relevant – those that affect to peoples’ lives Issues in Washington can impact peoples’ lives – freedom and safety Problem is that the loudest voices are heard and often repeated Need to stop thinking in terms of right and left, but need to think about how we move the country forward Benefits of having a self-funded campaign – ability to do what he thinks is the right thin

Chris Cloud joins us for a conversation on how he made a significant change – moving to Nepal in his early 30s – to serve others and shift the trajectory of his life. In his journey, he not only discovered his purpose, but also met his life partner and so much more. Show Notes:  Chris’s journey from tech to business development to non-profit service What motivated Chris to move back to his birthplace of Nepal Mentoring youth through fitness and getting active How colliding events in your life can shift your perspective on what’s truly important Life is a juggling act – some balls are rubber, some are glass Utilizing a coach to set yourself up for success and stay accountable Building community and fellowship If you go with an open heart and mind to serve, it’s amazing what opens up for you Being pushed, stretched and needed can lead you to realize previously undiscovered strengths The problem with abundance of options – especially for millennials Importance of being decisiv

In this episode of UCYP, Tim and Megan discuss emotional intelligence (EQ), what it means to be emotionally strong, and how to expand emotional capacity. Show Notes:  EQ and responding v. reacting Tips on how to deal with conflict and challenges using EQ Emotional capacity is your ability to manage your emotions Your relationships with others may determine your level of comfort, intensity and tendency to be reactionary A person’s need for control can be an impediment to growing in EQ Emotionally strong people: Are proactive in dealing with their emotions Do not waste time feeling sorry for themselves Do not allow others to control their relationships Do not waste energy on things they cannot control You can’t moan and lead at the same time Focus on the things you can control: attitude, time, priorities, passion, potential, calling Reactive v. Creative – it’s important to think differently in how we approach challenges and conflict The importance for young professiona

An entrepreneur, marketer, coach, and brewery co-founder Nicole Cendrowski joins us for a fabulous conversation on dreams and taking advantage of opportunities. Show Notes: Nicole’s journey from college to brewing beer The beer brewing landscape in the Southeast Being open to what life brings your way Remember that what’s right for you may not be right for someone else Being okay with going against the advice of others Don’t let your age or gender affect decisions to pursue something new Facing your fears head on and being brave Develop yourself through education to build wisdom Fewer barriers to entry with rise of technology and access Importance of not only envisioning you dream, but also taking the next steps and moving ideas into action – you’ve got to work for it Create habits that you don’t want to break Don’t lose the joy in your journey Fun contest / giveaway with Fireforge once they are open! Nicole’s advice to the next generation, to so

Young professional Yasha Patel joins us for an Uphill Conversation on her move from public defender to entrepreneur. How her drive and work ethic helped her vision become a reality. Show Notes:  Yasha’s journey from public defender to renovating and opening a new event space in Greenville, SC Importance of investing back into one’s community Courage, bravery and self-belief Pride and finding fuel in your heritage and upbringing Be open to learn and be inspired by others’ stories Utilizing mentors and asking powerful questions Entrepreneurship as a Young Professional Working towards balance at work and at home Lessons learned and advice for YPs Guest Bio: From her work as a public defender to her role as owner and operator of The Rutherford event venue, Yasha has always thrived on a fast-paced environment, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to exemplary client service. She earned her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and her law degree at Florida A & M. She practiced law i

Young Professionals Harold Hughes and Ben Moore join us for an Uphill Conversation on startup culture, collaboration and co-work space. Show Notes: Helicopter parents in the workplace Building and protecting community Taking ideas to execution – risk, evidence, confidence Establish credibility by sharing your idea and build your tribe “It makes more sense to lose my shirt today than my house tomorrow” Know your goals and drive towards them: be flexible, but keep your eyes on your “North Star” (your focus and mission) Misconceptions on startup culture Supporting innovation and the startup community in Greenville, SC Benefits and challenges of co-work space and finding your niche Importance of building both a diverse and inclusive co-work community Be prepared for obstacles, the unexpected, and the “dips” Predictability is overrated, learn from yours and others’ failures It’s limiting to think and live on “what-ifs”, you need to fo

Founders of DesignLi, Keith Shields and Joshua Tucker, join us for a conversation on agility and flexibility as young professional entrepreneurs and leaders. Show Notes: What led them to change directions from education to app development Value of strong relationship in launching and leading a business “Fair” is relative – life is what you make of it and everyone adds own individual perspectives and values Importance of constantly improving yourself and learning through failure Challenges of young entrepreneurs and leaders Evolution and shifts in starting a business Stereotypes around age in the digital industry and working across generations Knowledge and having confidence in your own abilities Consistency, Communication, Continuous Learning, Clarity and Community Connect with Keith & Josh:  Website: http://www.designli.co (designli.co) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designli (facebook.com/designli) Twitter: https://twitter.com/designlico (@designlico) Guest Bios:  http

In this episode of UCYP we discuss how mentorship and mentor relationships are evolving in the modern era. We dive into the benefits, the challenges and the opportunities. Show Notes: The word “mentor” can sometimes be intimidating It’s important to be open, authentic and coachable Best mentor relationships happen organically Don’t let fear keep you from asking for initial connection Crossover between mentorship and leadership development Benefit of having multiple mentors – different mentors serve in different ways based on expertise, experience and life achievements Importance of setting relationship ground rules It’s ok to disagree with your mentor and make a contrary choice: know yourself, your values, trust your gut and do what’s best for you and your career If you’re not hearing “no”, you’re not doing enough – it’s ok to fail How to open the door for a mentor to become a coach as you grow Value of peer-to-peer men

In this episode of UCYP we have an insightful conversation with two young professionals on bridging the gap across generations in the workplace. Show Notes: Millennials value self-expression and individuality How YPs can create better self-awareness Best practices for authentic connection with diverse people Equity as central to leading across generations Difference between equality and equity Collaboration and intentional inclusion must be front of mind when leading and working across generations Importance of always reaching back to generations coming behind Collaboration is the mutual admission of weakness as well as the willingness and openness to learn from others Celebrate our differences and use it to our advantage Leaders must create environments where it’s ok to ask for help Unconscious Bias: uncovering and navigating our own biases and working with others’ biases Grace and patience is vital to working well with others How we frame our questions and word choice greatly impa

In Episode 3 of UCYP, we have an Uphill Conversation with Greenville, SC young professional Ashley Brown on the risks and rewards of entrepreneurship. Show Notes: Started out in Asheville post-college and had hard time finding a job Phenomenon of accidental entrepreneurship Greater awareness of perceived weaknesses and turning them to your advantage Challenges of being a young professional entrepreneur Importance of building a strong inner circle Desire for challenges to solve and solve quickly – pressure as privilege Taking risks to realize a dream, taking an idea into action Don’t overlook incredible amount of work that comes with launching a business Uphill Challenge in Ashley’s life has been shifting her personal priorities to align with her role as a business owner Sometimes you need to let go of relationships you’ve outgrown When you make decisions, you never know who’s watching Inspiration for starting GirlBossGreenville and its purpose Magic of bringing wom

In Part 2 of our first UCYP interview with three diverse Upstate South Carolina young professionals (YPs), we continue our discussion on overcoming stereotypes and changing the conversation around millennials in the workplace. Show Notes:  Vision and purpose should impact your decision making People building vs. empire building How can millennials change the narrative and stereotypes out there Lean into your fears and take risks; be bold enough to ask questions Lead by example and bring others along with you (mentorship) Even if your not the boss, anyone can lead from where they are YPs work ethic, strong values, high integrity and determination can be overlooked when people make erroneous assumptions Importance of seeking to understand the differences within and across generations Recommendations for other YPs: Ask questions, love one another, treat others with respect, have transparency and give grace/presume good intentions Knowing your aspirations is important in working towards your goals Le

In our very first UCYP podcast, we are joined by three Upstate young professionals (YPs) who all offer very diverse and valuable insights on the generation currently rising in the workplace. Show Notes: What drives each of these YPs in their personal and professional lives How culture and environment affect the workplace YP’s desire for purpose and meaning in their work How social media can distort reality and perception of our own accomplishments Using other’s success as a way to push us to do more Importance of receiving and embracing honest, direct feedback Value YPs can gain from having strong mentors Enhancing our culture through strategic work and embracing our differences Staying motivated through aligning passion and purpose and by having a growth mindset Guests: Ramon Lugo-Nieves: As Principal of UniComm Media Group, Ramón provides the branding, strategic and marketing expertise to harness the power of a multicultural approach for his clients. Operating the first full-service Hispanic