Season 6 - How gender affects the way we communicate, identifying your IT factor with Nick McArthur - Episode 60

Nick McArthur is a dude with a wife, five kids, and an online business. He also happens to have spent much of his life living as a woman...even though deep down he always knew he was a man. When he embraced his identity and came out as transgender, he realized just how much gender affects the way we think, talk, and function. He now speaks from his experience on both sides of the gender coin, empowering both men and women to live authentically and powerfully no matter what their gender might be. Nick helps creative entrepreneurs find their own voice at epicdanger.com and his blog about transitioning is at theverybestman.com. You can also find him on Instagram as @epicdanger posting many pictures of his many kids.

Nick McArthur

Season 6 - Redesigning your Inner Space with Paul Sokolski - Episode 59

Paul Sokolski, founder of Redesign Your Inner Space, is a visionary leader, and has a passion to truly help change the way the world sees what's possible.  

Paul speaks worldwide and focuses on helping people live with total abundance. Paul brings a unique approach to his performance catalyst company, and how he coaches individuals from a background of over 25 years in business and a personal journey that fuses authenticity, love and forgiveness, to create a space of peace for the individual that has the passion to grow, Live and love, in a way that serves themselves first and then others, as Paul has also mastered in his life.

Show Notes:

PauL Sokolski - Website

Paul Sokolski

Season 6 - A story about commitment and retiring young with Galina Lipina - Episode 58

Galina Lipina, is a coach at "Turning Point"and she specializes in supporting successful professionals who want more in life, who are ready to uplevel.

She has been though a few transitions in life (moved to US all by herself at the age of 24 , transitioned from a job to being a consultant to then retiring at the age of 33) 

She supports her clients with:

• Clarity. Defining the next goal.
• Fulfillment. I will help you get clarity on your fulfillment and make sure it is integrated into your next goal.
• Freedom. Eliminating have to's and should's, and design your life around your wants and meant to be's.
• Unique lifestyle and goal design that peels away all conditioning of what you are supposed to be and do and connects you to what's your unique way of living your life.
• Getting unstuck to live the bigger version of you.
• Strategy. Developing the most effective strategy to get there. 
• Action. Defining the action steps to start and then do it!

Show Notes: 

Galina Lipina's Retirement Story - Website, Facebook

Galina's Speech at Digital Footprint - Atlanta - here

Recommended Resources: Workshops, Seminars, The Science of getting Rich

Season 6 - Transform yourself, your relationships, and your world with Ryel Kestano- Episode 57

Ryel is the lead designer of ART's curriculum, and runs operations. Prior to co-founding ART International, Ryel oversaw all training operations at the Integral Center in Boulder, a world-renowned leader in transformational workshops. He has been a course leader, course supervisor, facilitator and coach since his own transformation several years ago. Ryel is also the co-founder and visionary behind Virtuance, one of the largest providers of real estate photography in the world, and the co-founder and visionary behind Pink Mammoth, one of the Bay Area's largest and most successful creative arts collectives.

Show Notes:

Art International,

Book Recommendations: The Untethered Soul, The Eden Project, Nonviolent Communication

Ryel Kestano

Season 6 - Hacking the Gap with Greg Voisen - Episode 56

Greg Voisen, creator and host of Inside Personal Growth, is an author, creative consultant and thought leader in the human potential movement. Inside Personal Growth was born out of Greg’s passion for personal growth and mastery. He continually strives to improve his own life – spiritually, emotionally and physically – as he learns from the hundreds of authors interviewed on this website.

Greg’s professional journey began with a career in insurance sales and financial planning, during which he found himself coaching clients to feel emotionally secure making major life investments. For the past 30 years, Greg has been honing his skills in business consulting, finance and psychology. In 2003, he sold his successful financial consulting company to attend the University of Santa Monica and earn his M.S. in Spiritual Psychology. Since, he has created multiple businesses with philanthropic arms, including Digital Seed and Compassionate Communications, to merge these disciplines.

Inside Personal Growth is one of many ways Greg connects people for the greater good. It is his professional mission to inspire insight and innovation that facilitates breakthroughs in the individual and collective consciousness to evolve the way we see people in business. 

Show Notes:

Check out Greg's new book: Hacking the Gap

Greg Voisen Websites: Learn more about Greg by visiting voisen.com and eluminate.net.

Hacking the Gap

Greg Voisen

Season 6 - Wisdom of Friends Intro

“You do not need to leave your room. Remain sitting at your table and listen. Do not even listen, simply wait, be quiet, still and solitary. The world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked, it has no choice, it will roll in ecstasy at your feet.” - Franz Kafka

Dear Friends, 

I am Kal Aras and I want to welcome you to the Season 6 of Wisdom of Friends

Some of you may wonder - What is Wisdom of Friends?

Well - Wisdom of Friends- is a talk show distributed as a podcast where I interview inspiring leaders, fascinating and eclectic people in our community who are living extraordinary lives; capture and share their wisdom and celebrate their life.

We dig deeper into their life's journey;  their goals, their struggles, and their aspirations. We discover how they came to identify their purpose, their values, and their philosophy on life, success, and contribution.

We celebrate folks who have mastered ways to balance the science of success with the art of fulfillment. 

As the Zen practitioners would say - having a beginner's mind helps see possibilities and my goal with these interviews is to extract the wisdom from these conversations, apply it and share it.

Why did I start this show?

The reason I started this show was to bring together people I have known in my life - my social circle, my professional network and my community. Over the years, I have soaked in their wisdom; these individuals with their stand for making a difference in their circle of influence and beyond; have in turn made a difference in my life through their inspiring vision and message, their pursuit of excellence, and comebacks when life had dished out challenges in the form of curve balls - be it a debilitating disease, abuse, bankruptcy, divorce or a death of a loved one. They found a way - the grit to not succumb to these setbacks but instead figured out a way to bounce back with success, build character and alter their destiny with powerful choices. They have shown us to how to keep on living a life fully, powerfully and joyfully. And this is my humble attempt to capture their stories and wisdom as an acknowledgement to these amazingly wonderful people.

Folks - these are the stories of men and women who like you and me are just ordinary people but continue to embark on an extraordinary journey and inspire people in their lives and their community to do the same.

Once again, I welcome you to the Season 6 of Wisdom of Friends show. And, if you like what you hear, please share, don't be shy. I'd also appreciate if you can give us a five star rating so that we can share this podcast with a bigger audience.

Thank You!

Kal Aras

Season 5 - From communication chaos to profit, performance and productivity - Episode 54

Lisa, founder of Lisa Copeland Communications, is a communication specialist with 25+ years of corporate speaking experience. While maintaining her corporate position, she also leads business teams with radically different perspectives to synergy via customized communication and enhanced understanding of the workplace dynamics.

As a business consultant, workshop facilitator, corporate coach / educator and highly skilled dental hygienist, Lisa’s dynamic presentation style motivates her audience to take action.

Her diverse career path focuses on:  Lisa Copeland Communications consulting, clinical hygiene and corporate education.

Lisa is an international speaker who has presented a wide range of topics to audiences throughout the world. She is a committed member of the National Speakers Association, which promotes the highest standards of professional speaking partnered with lifelong learning.

After working in Singapore for five years, Lisa and her husband relocated to the Northwest.  Her passions in life include triathlons, cycling, swimming, snowboarding, and travel.

Show Notes:

Lisa Copeland -  Website, LinkedIn

Lisa Copeland

Season 5 - Your Communication Connection with Jan McLaughlin - Episode 52

Jan M. McLaughlin, CSP works with professionals who want to positively influence the responses they receive.  Jan had been a teacher, retail manager and actress in television commercials when she established the image consulting firm, J'Ambry.  Referred to in the Seattle Times as a "pioneer in the image industry" and "the most frequently-quoted image professional in the Northwest," she was a popular guest on television and radio and in demand as a speaker.  At the urging of clients, she expanded her focus and established Your Communication Connection.  As a highly-respected speaker and trainer—who is considered an expert in communication—she offers programs on impression management, communication, customer service, leadership and presentation skills.

Jan has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation—the speaking profession’s international measure of speaking experience and skill.

Fewer than 12 % of the 5,000+ speakers worldwide, who belong to the 14 member associations of the Global Speakers Federation (GSF), currently hold this professional designation.

Show Notes:

Blog:    Twitter:   YouTube , LinkedIn, Website

Additional Resources:

Jan McLaughlin

Featured Posts

Season 5 - Don't just Wow the crowd, change them with Tamsen Webster - Episode 51

Part "idea whisperer," part message strategist, and part presentation coach, Tamsen Webster helps people and organizations like Verizon, State Street Bank, Ericsson, Johnson & Johnson, and Disney find and communicate the power of their ideas. For four years, she was the Executive Producer of TEDxCambridge, one of the oldest and largest locally organized “TED talk” events in the world. In former lives, she worked in both agencies and at nonprofits heading up brand, marketing, and fundraising communication strategy, along with a brief but enduring turn as a change management consultant. She was a reluctant marathoner...twice; is a winning ballroom dancer (in her mind); and everything she knows about people, speaking, and change, she learned at Weight Watchers. True story.

Show Notes: 

Tamsen Webster Keynote Speaking and Coaching

Tamsen's LinkedIn Profile

Tamsen Webster

Season 5 - Turning Your Knowledge, Experience and Expertise into Ongoing Streams of Cash - Peter Thomson - Episode 50

Peter Thomson is now regarded as the UK’s most prolific information product creator. Starting in business in 1972 he built 3 successful companies – selling the last to a public company, after only 5 years trading, for £4.2M enabling him to retire at age 42.

Since that time Peter has concentrated on sharing his proven methods for business and personal success via audio and video programmes, books, seminars, conference speeches and mentoring programmes.

Peter now specializes in helping coaches, consultants, speakers, trainers and business owners to grow their organisations – so each can create a business and a life of choice. He shares the precise steps on how to share more of their authentic messages with more people than they could ever reach on a 1-2-1- basis by showing them how to write and create and market their own informational products.

With over 100 audio and 100 video programs written and recorded he is Nightingale Conant’s leading UK author.

Show Notes: 

Peter Thomson Website,  LinkedIn Profile

Book Recommendations: Decisive

Turn Your Knowledge, Experience and Expertise into Ongoing Streams of Cash by Joining Peter Thomson's highly rated  The Achievers Club

Peter Thomson

Season 5 - Extraordinary Impact with Elisa Hays - Episode 49

Would you like extraordinary leadership at every level in your organization? Then you need to hear Elisa Hays’s astonishing story. After an 18-wheeler truck going 65 miles-per-hour hit her body, she was propelled 90 feet through the air and ultimately into the position she is in now as a speaker, consultant and executive coach empowering organizations, individuals and audiences internationally. With honesty, humor, and heart-wrenching stories Elisa reveals the simple but powerful truths she uncovered through her miraculous survival. She shares the character and choices it took to save lives and rebuild her own after the near-fatal collision that cost her a successful 20-year career as a performer and CEO of a one-of-a-kind entertainment company. By applying her hard-won leadership lessons in leveraging adversity you will grow star performer communities and achieve extraordinary impact with your team – all without the messy bother of actually getting hit by a truck.

Show Notes: 

Elisa Hays: Keynote Speaking, LinkedIn Profile

Elisa Hays

Season 5 - The Reluctant Leader - Owning Your Responsibility with Ron Rael - Episode 48

Ron Rael, the CEO and founder of the High Road® Institute works with the everyday leader to become a person who leads with intention and impact. Ron is a vanguard on leadership topics. His 40+ years of business experience comes from working in two Fortune 500 companies, as well as from leading employee teams in closely held businesses. Ron’s has worked with Cabela’s, Costco, Starbucks, Microsoft, Bright Horizons, Moss Adams, Radio Shack, the U.S. Navy, and several northwest Universities.

Ron’s extensive wisdom and practical solutions, contained in his 19 books and diverse leadership solutions, provide both strategies and tactics for organizational success. He has trained and coached more than 14,000 leaders and business professionals throughout the United States and Canada. He is the author of The Reluctant Leader™:  Own Your Responsibility with Courage, which is now available at Amazon.

The Reluctant Leader™ is a person who feels uncomfortable with the challenges of leading, yet is looked upon by others to be their leader.

Ron has been speaking professionally since 1988. And, he is only 29 years old! This is amazing and because he has a rare disorder known as DCS.

Show Notes: 

Ron Rael - LinkedIn Profile, High Road Institute

Book Recommendations: Illusions by Richard Bach

Ron Rael

Season 5 - Designing Global Learning Solutions with Eric Ellefsen - Episode 47

Eric Ellefsen is a learning & development leader focused on delivering evidence-based training solutions that build skills to meet business needs. Currently, he is a global learning design leader at EY (Ernst & Young), a “big 4” professional services firm, where he develops learning design processes and standards to ensure a high quality learner experience. Over the past 20 years, he has served in a variety of learning roles at Kaplan Education (higher education), ITT Corporation (manufacturing and military contracts), Healthways (healthcare), Terabeam and AT&T (telecomm). Prior to that, he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He earned his PhD in Educational Technology from the University of Northern Colorado, MA from the University of Colorado and BA from the University of California, Berkeley. 

Show Notes:

Eric Ellefsen: LinkedIn Profile

Toastmasters International Website

Eric Ellefsen

Season 5 - Insights from this Two-Time World Championship Finalist with Katina Hunter - Episode 46

Katina Hunter has spoken all over to audiences spanning the generation spectrum & in front of people all over the world as one of the Top 10 Speakers in the World Championship of Public Speaking in both 2016 & again in 2017. Her theatrical background comes through in her boisterous presentations & motivational speeches. 

Described as "Maverick!" with speeches that are "... for the history books," Katina is a masterful storyteller with a knack of revealing the special from within the simple.

When she first joined Toastmasters 4 years ago, her goal was to just become more comfortable speaking. She wanted to move past the racing heart & dry mouth that suffocated her when in front of audiences. Katina didn't even know that there were speaking competitions. Now, such a short time later, Katina has not only overcome her fear, but she's a world-wide speaking competitor & coach. In 2016, Katina beat out over 32,000 other competitors to reach the Finals Stage in Washington, DC - as one of the top 10 speakers of the world. Last year in Vancouver, she did it again & is a two-time world champion finalist. 

Show Notes: 

Katina Hunter Speeches

Katina Hunter Website

Katina Hunter

Season 5 Intro - Compelling Speakers: The Art of Public Speaking - Episode 45

Hello Folks;

Welcome to Season 5 of the Wisdom of Friends Show. I am your host Kal Aras. The theme for this season is an extension of Season 4 : Compelling Speakers – The Art of Public Speaking

In this season, we are going to learn the tricks and trades of Public Speaking and Presence from some of the top notch speakers in the world.  I have tried to focus on an eclectic mix of speakers from the realm of business, arts, and spirituality. Each of these speakers has established their mark as professionals within their industry, and they share some of the universal principles and best practices of being a world class speaker.

Having gotten to know these inspiring and fascinating people who I consider to be dear friends, a pattern began to emerge - they seem to share some common traits like Charisma and Presence; a Passion for outstanding contribution, and a commitment to mastery.

As these powerful leaders share their personal journey and stories, we get to learn and model their mindset, their skills set and their heart set. You will learn and discover a blueprint for your own success with concepts like:

1.       How to become appealing and effective by telling compelling stories that inspire and motivate?

2.       The path to influence through Presence - a balance of strength and warmth

3.       How we can learn to win the admiration, respect, and affection we desire and

4.       The nuts and bolts of public speaking

Regardless of whether your goal is to educate, fundraise, inspire teams, build an award-winning culture, or to deliver memorable presentations, these interviews will help you gain a competitive advantage.

That's it for this episode. We hope you enjoy this season about becoming a compelling speaker and the art of public speaking. Don't forget to subscribe to Wisdom of Friends on iTunes. While you're at it, give us a five star rating and review. This will help us reach more people and would be appreciated.

Thank you for listening. If you like what you heard, please share and don’t be shy.

Wisdom of Friends - Top Podcast

• Happiness
• Purpose
• Wisdom of Friends
• Freedom
• Success

Season 4 - Winning in Business and Baseball with Earl Bell - Episode 44

Earl Bell is an author, consultant and success coach/trainer for business owners and leaders.  His expertise comes from the world of business, where Earl was CFO for a $17 billion Registered Investment Advisory firm AND the world of youth sports where he coached 22 baseball and softball teams over 10 years.  Earl is the author of Winning in Baseball and Business, Transforming Little League Principles into Major League Profits for Your Company. 

Show Notes: 

Earl Bell - Linked In Profile

Earl Bell - Website

Earl Bell

Season 4 - The Philosophy of Leadership with Toastmasters International President Balraj Arunasalam, DTM - Episode 43

Balraj Arunasalam, DTM, of Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka, is chairman/managing director of Gemtrans Engineering Company, a maker of industrial belts. Active in his community, he serves as President of the Iyyappan Temple management board, as Vice President of the Aarunadu Velalar Society of Sri Lanka, and is a member of both the local Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.

In 2011, Arunasalam helped establish an English course for Rural Voices Unlimited, a project designed to educate youth in rural Sri Lanka. The U.S. Embassy in Colombo recognized him for this ongoing work with youth. Arunasalam holds an advanced level General Certificate of Education from Trinity College in Kandy, Sri Lanka, and is earning a master’s degree through the Australian Institute of Business Administration.

A dedicated Toastmaster for 27 years, Arunasalam is a member of two clubs, including his home club Colombo Toastmasters. A distinguished leader, Arunasalam has held numerous offices from club through international level: He served as International Director 2011 to 2013 and Second Vice President 2014-2015 and First Vice-President 2015-2016, Toastmasters International. He holds the Distinguished Toastmaster designation—the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters International.

“Toastmasters is a way of life,” Arunasalam says. “It helped me understand the philosophy of leadership, to give and receive respect, and to be humble.”

As International President, Arunasalam is a “working ambassador” for the organization. He works with the Board to develop and support the policies and procedures that guide Toastmasters International in fulfilling its mission.

Balraj Arunasalam

Kaushal "Kal" Aras and Balraj Arunasalam

Season 4 - The Tao of Public Speaking and Presentation with Dr. Ali Binazir - Episode 42

Dr Ali Binazir is an author, speaker and clinical hypnotherapist and Happiness Engineer. He is the author of 4 books, including "The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Being Absolutely Irresistible", the highest-rated dating book on Amazon for 4 years, and most recently, "Should I Go to Medical School: An Irreverent Guide to Pro and Cons of a Career in Medicine." He holds an honors degree from Harvard College, an M.D. from UC San Diego School of Medicine, and an M.Phil. from Cambridge University. Formerly a consultant at McKinsey & Co., he writes a popular column for Huffington Post and is based in San Francisco. He trains executive speakers with KNP Communications, and has given three TEDx talks by invitation: "Awaken Inner Creative Genius", "Love & the Empowered Woman", and "Happiness Engineering: A New Paradigm for Success."

Show Notes:

Dr. Ali Binazir - Profile and Website, Blogs

Book Recommendations: 

Why we sleep: unlocking the power of sleep and dreams" by matthew walker, ph.d.

The tao of dating: the thinking man's enlightened guide to success with women

Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities That Make Us Influential, by Matthew Kohut and John Neffinger

Steal the Show by Michael Port

Dr. Ali Binazir

Season 4 - A supersoul conversation with Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams II - Episode 41

Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams II is founder and senior pastor of Mount Zion Fellowship in Highland Hills, Ohio. Dr. Williams founded Mount Zion on January 2, 1983 with 15 persons in attendance.  Today, Mount Zion has approximately 1,500 members. Dr. Williams has directed the development of numerous ministries that minister to those inside and outside the church. Dr. Williams is an accomplished gospel music composer, arranger, musician, and musical director. From 1977 to the present, he has recorded with The Messengers of Peace (1977–1982) and the Voices of Koinonia (1984–present). “My Soul Sings Hallelujah” is a piano concert by Dr. Williams, accompanied by members of the Cleveland Orchestra and the Voices of Koinonia. In addition, Dr. Williams has performed in concerts with such gospel artists as Donnie McClurkin and Kirk Franklin. He has performed at Cleveland’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Playhouse Square, and has appeared with Barry Manilow at Blossom Music Center. Dr. Williams has authored four books as well. Dr. Williams holds two doctoral degrees: Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Divinity. He has studied in the United States (Livingstone College, Ashland Theological Institute, Trinity Theological Seminary) and abroad at the institute of Holy Land Studies in Israel. Pastor Ron (as he is affectionately known) is a devoted, loving father to his two sons, Clifton and Christian.

Show Notes:

Dr. Williams Website

Recommendations: Gospel Music, YouTube Channel of Mt Zion Fellowship

Dr. C. Ronald S. Williams II