Life as a..

EP16: Life as an ”Australian Winemaker” with guest, Elka Parsons

Elka Parsons is the owner of Elk Wines, a family owned and operated winemaking operation in the Barossa Valley, Australia. Her mission involves perfecting each vintage in order to create exceptional wine that stands up to the best in the market.
Every Elk wine is handpicked from a single vineyard, representing only the best from the Barossa and Eden Valley Regions of Australia.
Varietal regionality sits at the core of Elk Wine’s boutique brand. Elk Wines uses natural, vegan-friendly techniques to produce outstanding quality wine which embodies the spirit of the Barossa Valley.
After many years in the airline industry, in spite of her love of travel and adventure, she had the sense that something was missing. It only took a gentle nudge and a fortuitous win at the track to literally turn her passion for wine into fruition.
After a weekend at the races in Melbourne, with a small win in hand, Elka returned to the Barossa with ‘lady luck’ on her side. She sourced the most spectacular Riesling fruit, and through skill and determination created their flagship – Elk Wines Eden Valley Riesling – and thus Elk Wines was born!
Recognising that providing something unique in a highly competitive industry requires ongoing learning and exploration, Elka combines her love of travel and learning by continuing to explore vineyards across the world and studying viticulture and Oenology at the University of Adelaide.
Tune in to learn more about Elka and the winemaking industry as a whole in this engaging talk.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP15: Life as a ”Media and Crisis Communications Expert” with guest, David Wagner

David Wagner is a Senior Advisor, Media & Crisis Communication Expert. He is widely acknowledged as one of Asia’s leading authorities on media, crisis, and business communications skills.
 
Over the past 30+ years, David has coached over 30,000 trainees including Presidents, CEO’s, Ambassadors, top government officials and even billionaires on communicating persuasively in business and managing the media through effective message delivery.
 
He has conducted over 4,000+ workshops for over 550+ organizations for firms including Goldman Sachs, Oracle, Johnson & Johnson, Singapore Airlines and Wal-Mart throughout the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle-East and North America.
 
David has lectured extensively on business communications at a number of institutions including Waseda University in Tokyo and the Institute of Public Administration and Management in Singapore.
 
He is also the author of 24 books in Japan on business communications and language usage with translations in Chinese, Korean and Japanese.
 
Tune in to hear David break down all of what this profession entails!
 
To learn more about David you can find him here:
Linkedin
Twitter
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can WATCH the full conversation on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
 
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP14: Life as an ”IT Systems Analyst” with guest, Rich Young

The thought of technology can elicit a myriad of emotions. For some it can represent excitement while for others frustration. It’s such a polarizing word for many reasons, not the least, for its ability to really alter our work, days and moments.
On this episode, my guest has a job charged with ensuring tech stays on the positive side of things for you and the clients he serves. 
Rich Young is an IT systems analyst who works in Buffalo, NY for a company called MVP Network Consulting. He has been a systems analyst for over 20 years with 18 of those being with his current employer.
Acknowledging the breakneck speed at which the tech industry has altered itself in recent years, the changes have been dramatic. Rich however, has seen it all, experienced it all and most importantly, embraced it all. 
One of his firm’s aims is to be the most secure and efficient business processes provider through the intelligent use of technology. That sentence, to me, encapsulates a lot and is something Rich will help unpack for us today.
In addition, we’re going to learn about what this word, “technology” means for someone who not only lives and breathes it, but also plays a key role in shaping it for companies and individuals like you and I.
Tune in to hear all of this and much more!
 
To learn more about Rich you can find him here:
Linkedin
MVP Network Consulting
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can WATCH the full conversation on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP13: Life as a ”Professor of Forensic Psychology” with guest, Dr. Leigh Harkins

Dr. Leigh Harkins is an Associate Professor at Ontario Tech University in Canada. With a PhD in Forensic Psychology, her current research interests focus on understanding sexual aggression and aggression in groups including factors influencing perceptions of the acceptability of sexually coercive behaviour, technology and sexual violence, and multiple perpetrator sexual offending. Her work has focused on understanding and improving assessment and treatment of sexual offenders.
This combined work has highlighted the importance of accurate and evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment. She also has practice experience working in treatment groups for sexual offenders, and completing psychological assessments in prisons and community criminal justice settings in Canada and the UK.
Dr. Harkins has published numerous manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, and has co-edited a book in the area of forensic psychology and has presented her research at international conferences. Leigh has supervised Honour’s thesis, M.A., M.Sc., Forensic Psychology, Doctorate and Ph.D. students in forensic psychology.
Aside from her professional endeavors, she is an avid traveller, having explored and traversed most countries around the world. Outside of her work and global escapades, you can find Dr. Harkins cooking up delicious vegan dishes, or cycling around Toronto. Not to be left out is her passion towards all things canine. She and her rescue dog, Sadie are often out together socializing with friends and exploring the world.
Tune in to hear all of this and much more!
*Dr. Harkins does reference work on mental health. Life as a.. just so happened to cover a talk with a mental health advocate. To listen to this talk, tune in here.
To learn more about Dr. Harkins you can find her on these platforms:
Linkedin
Instagram
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can WATCH the full conversation on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP11: ”Life as an English Teacher in Japan” with guest Steve Hampshire

Steve Hampshire is a teacher, materials writer and teacher trainer. He began his career in education nearly 40 years ago as an elementary school teacher in London. Working with many multi-cultural and multi-lingual classes sparked his early interest in the design and development of imaginative teaching and language learning materials.
Following a year teaching in Thailand, he returned to the UK where he worked as a senior EFL teacher for The English Language Centre, Bristol, eventually becoming a Director for their summer school courses.
For the past 20 years he has been teaching in Japan and was until 2012, head of English Communication programs at a large Junior Senior high school in Hiroshima.
He is currently a lecturer at Fukuyama City University where he runs year round language study programs for students ranging from intermediate level to advanced, and summer training courses for Japanese teachers of English.
On this episode, you’ll hear from Steve as he describes his experiences of teaching in Japan and all that entails relating to both the joys and challenges.
Tune in to hear about all of this and much more!
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can access the show via YouTube you are in luck! We just launched a YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP12: Life as a ”UN Vulnerability Analysis Advisor” with guest, Rossella Bottone

Being inspired to enact positive change within the world is one thing. Executing on it is another. In this episode you’ll hear from someone who specializes in the latter.
Rossella Bottone is a Vulnerability Analysis Advisor for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). Currently based in the Panama Regional office, she has more than 15 years of experience in the Humanitarian sector. She is an expert in emergency food security assessments, vulnerability surveys, and data analysis in support of early warning and emergency preparedness.
She has worked in Nepal, Guatemala, Haiti, Senegal, DRC, Italy and has conducted needs assessments for the World Food Programme in more than 20 countries in Latin America and Africa.
You’ll hear about how all of those experiences as a UN Vulnerability Analysis Advisor have shaped her and her views on life and living. Plus you will most certainly come away with a clearer understanding of what some of these issues she speaks about truly mean on a much deeper humanistic level.
Finally, you may even be nudged to turn your own inspiration into action!
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can WATCH the full conversation on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP10: ”Life as a Company President” with guest Shaun Lichtenberger

For many aspiring entrepreneurs or career professionals, the dream is to one day sit atop an enterprise, holding that grand title of company president.
 
On this episode, you'll hear from guest Shaun Lichtenberger, who with his business partner, built a thriving and continually awarded branded merchandise agency from the ground up.
 
Listen in to hear what it's truly like to sit atop the perch as company president. Also, hear what it was like to navigate, lead and build during one of the most turbulent periods in recent human history.
 
Plus, find out what it's like to lead a company driven by a millennial work force, his views on mental well-being and his own personal ways of staying balanced as far as life and living goes.
 
Tune in to hear all of this and much more!
 
To learn more about Brand Blvd and Shaun, you can check our his company here. 
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can WATCH the full conversation on YouTube. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 
 

EP9: ”Life as a Publishing & PR Communications Professional” with guest Cindy Mullins

Explore life as a "Publishing & PR Communications Professional" through a story filled episode with the ever delightful guest, Cindy Mullins. 
 
If you ever had any interest in learning about publishing or PR communications or business development then you ought to find someone who is not only highly experienced, but also someone who is incredibly passionate about it all.
 
Well, we’ve got that trifecta of content covered for you with a guest who has lived all around the world doing all of that and much more.
 
To learn more about today's guest:
Linkedin: Cindy Mullins
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can access the show via YouTube you are in luck! We just launched a YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 

EP8: ”Life as a GIS Analyst” with guest David Schmidt

Explore "Life as a GIS Analyst" with a fun and informative guest, David Schmidt. 
*HINT* –> For those who like maps and tech, you won’t want to miss this conversation!
Now, for individuals with no prior knowledge of the industry, this episode has something for you too. Listen to compelling takes which illustrate why tech professionals like Dave, are so heavily tied into the preservation of our current and future ways of living as a society.
Linkedin: David Schmidt
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can access the show via YouTube you are in luck! We just launched a YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com 
 

EP7: ”Life as a Professional Skydiver” with guest Troy Rodway

Explore "Life as a Professional Skydiver" with an inspiring guest, Troy Rodway. 
In this show, we are treated to a full access look at life as a professional skydiver. Hear Troy’s captivating story which started as a dream and has evolved to the point where he is considered one of the top flyers on the planet.
Also, discover how the world of skydiving is evolving with the advent of wind tunnel technology and the accompanied global competitions which have taken shape. Finally, learn what it truly takes to excel as a skydiver in this extreme sport.
Listen in to hear all of this and much more!
Instagram: Troy Rodway
Youtube: Skydive Burnaby
 
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
If you'd like, you can access the show via YouTube you are in luck! We just launched a YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe! It helps the show grow. ;)
*You can also follow the show on your favourite social platforms via these links:
Youtube
Instagram: 
Linkedin:
Twitter:
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To learn more about the program, visit the website www.life-as-a.com