Interview with Jennifer Riggs

Introduction

• Guest Introduction: Jennifer Riggs, a certified hypnotherapist and mindset coach, shares her journey and insights on emotional processing and subconscious mind work.
• Dr. Allen Lycka's Introduction: Discusses Jennifer's background and the importance of her work in helping people live happier lives by changing thoughts and behaviors.

Jennifer Riggs' Journey

• Personal Challenges: Jennifer shares her difficult experiences, including her parents' divorce, a miscarriage, her own divorce, and a misdiagnosis of leukemia. These challenges led her to seek ways to heal herself.
• Healing Journey: Through her journey of healing, Jennifer discovered hypnotherapy, which helped her address the emotional baggage she was carrying.

Hypnotherapy: A Path to Healing

• Discovering Hypnotherapy: Jennifer explains how traditional talk therapy provided some relief, but it was hypnotherapy that brought profound change by accessing the subconscious mind.
• Subconscious Mind: The subconscious mind drives most of our behaviors and thoughts, often based on past experiences and traumas.

Common Misconceptions About Hypnotherapy

• Mind Control Myth: Jennifer dispels the myth that hypnotherapy involves losing control of one's mind, explaining that it's actually a heightened state of awareness.
• Trance State: She clarifies that people are already in a "trance" of repetitive thoughts and behaviors. Hypnotherapy helps break this trance by addressing the subconscious beliefs driving those patterns.

Jennifer's Book: "Free from the Cage"

• Book Inspiration: The title was inspired by a piece of art Jennifer created years before. It symbolizes breaking free from negative beliefs that keep us trapped.
• The First Step - "Taking Out the Garbage": Jennifer emphasizes the importance of addressing and processing negative emotions rather than just covering them up with positive thinking.
• Tools for Change: The book offers keys to unlocking the "cage" of limiting beliefs and changing one's life.

Healing and Growth

• The Role of Fear: Jennifer discusses how fear often holds people back but facing fear can lead to growth and new opportunities.
• Victim Mentality vs. Responsibility: She highlights the importance of taking responsibility for one's life and actions, rather than staying stuck in a victim mentality.

Abundance vs. Scarcity Mindset

• Scarcity Myth: Jennifer and Dr. Lycka discuss the misconception that resources are limited. In reality, abundance is possible, and there's enough for everyone.
• Encouraging Others: Supporting others in their success doesn't diminish one's own opportunities but rather creates a positive, abundant environment.

Authenticity and Self-Worth

• Being True to Yourself: Jennifer encourages embracing authenticity, even if it means not pleasing everyone. Being true to oneself attracts the right people and opportunities.
• Self-Worth Issues: She shares that many people struggle with self-worth, which is often at the root of their challenges. Addressing this is key to living a fulfilling life.

Living a Fantastic Life

• Jennifer's Take: She shares that turning challenges into opportunities and finding the blessings in difficult situations has helped her live a fantastic life.
• Growth Through Challenges: Emphasizes the importance of using life's challenges as stepping stones to personal growth and success.

BIO:

Jennifer Riggs is a certified Hypnotherapist and Mindset Coach who is passionate about helping people process their emotions to change their thoughts and behaviors so they can live a happier life.

Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSUQY4i72E6Y3DE-QhHG3Kw

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090248955213&mibextid=LQQJ4d

https://jennifer-riggs.com

Preserving LGBTQ History and Human Rights with Robert Kesten

Guest: Robert Kesten, Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Allen Lycka sits down with Robert Kesten, a prominent human rights advocate and the Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library. Robert shares his inspiring journey from witnessing pivotal moments in civil rights history to leading an institution dedicated to preserving LGBTQ history and culture. The discussion covers the importance of human rights, the challenges faced by LGBTQ communities, and the significance of education in protecting democracy.

Key Topics Discussed

1. The Impact of 1968 on Robert Kesten

• Robert reflects on how the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy in 1968 shaped his worldview and motivated him to make a difference in the world.

2. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Robert discusses his work in promoting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights globally and the importance of democracy in safeguarding human rights.

3. The Stonewall Uprising

• A detailed recount of the Stonewall Uprising in 1969, which marked a turning point for LGBTQ rights, leading to the formation of organizations and the first Pride March.

4. The Stonewall National Museum, Archives, and Library

• An introduction to the Stonewall National Museum, which began as a small library and archive and has since grown into a major institution for LGBTQ history and culture.

5. Recreating the Stonewall Bar

• Robert describes the museum's latest exhibit, a recreation of the Stonewall bar as it appeared during the uprising, and its significance in educating both older and younger generations.

6. Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ Community

• The conversation touches on the current challenges, including book bans and legal restrictions, and how the Stonewall Museum helps to combat these by preserving and sharing LGBTQ history.

7. The Importance of Democracy and Civic Engagement

• Robert and Dr. Lycka discuss the critical role of civic engagement in maintaining democracy and protecting human rights, emphasizing the responsibility of "We the People."

8. Future Plans for the Stonewall Museum

• The museum’s upcoming plans, including a pop-up in New Orleans and a traveling exhibit commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising.

Quotes from the Episode

• Robert Kesten: "The arc of history moves towards justice."
• Dr. Allen Lycka: "Education is expensive, but the cost of ignorance is much more expensive."

How to Connect with Robert Kesten

• Website: Stonewall National Museum
• Social Media: Find the museum on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok for the latest updates.

How to Connect with Dr. Allen Lycka

• Website: Dr. Allen Lycka

Conclusion

Robert Kesten’s dedication to human rights and LGBTQ history is a powerful reminder of the importance of education, civic engagement, and the ongoing fight for justice. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in history, human rights, and the preservation of freedom.

BIO:

Robert Kesten is the Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum Archives & Library, a leading institution preserving LGBTQ history and culture. As a human rights advocate, he has produced an award-winning Holocaust documentary, worked on the Ghanaian Constitution, coordinated Ukrainian independence events, and promoted LGBTQIA+ inclusion and decriminalization efforts. Kesten has also been active in the West Bank, Egypt, and Tunisia during significant political movements.

Social Media:

Website: https://stonewall-museum.org/

IG - @StonewallArchive

TikTok - StonewallMuseum

Threads- User - StonewallArchive

Tribel - User - StonewallMuseum

Guest: James Keyes

In this episode, Dr. Allen Lycka interviews James Keyes, a world-renowned business leader who rose from humble beginnings in Central Massachusetts to become the CEO of 7-Eleven and Chairman of Blockbuster. They discuss James' journey, his approach to learning, overcoming adversity, and the valuable lessons he has gleaned from his experiences.

The Power of Learning

James attributes his success to the concept of "learning to learn." He explains how his ability to adapt, grow, and master new skills has allowed him to excel in various fields, from flying airplanes to running major companies. This philosophy has been the cornerstone of his achievements, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and curiosity.

Overcoming Adversity

James reflects on his challenging childhood, growing up in poverty with numerous hardships, including a condemned home and a lack of basic necessities. He shares how these experiences shaped his resilience and taught him to view adversity as an opportunity for growth. James highlights the importance of a positive response to challenges, which can turn difficult situations into opportunities for success.

The Role of Imagination and Creativity

James discusses how growing up without material wealth led him to develop a rich imagination, which became a key asset in his later life. He contrasts his experience with wealthier children who had more material comforts but less freedom to explore their creativity. This freedom of imagination, he argues, was more valuable than money and played a significant role in his development.

Leadership and Resilience

James and Dr. Lycka talk about the challenges of being a leader, including dealing with envy and resistance from others. They agree that successful leadership often involves upsetting others, but it's essential to focus on one's goals rather than the negativity of others. James also shares insights from his time learning about business, including his association with Dan S. Kennedy, who emphasized the importance of making bold decisions as a leader.

The 7-Eleven Journey

James recounts his time at 7-Eleven, explaining how the company was in bankruptcy when he joined. He describes how the company's focus on convenience, rather than just selling products, was the key to its turnaround and eventual success. James highlights the importance of innovation and adapting to changing customer needs, which allowed 7-Eleven to grow into the world's largest convenience retailer with 80,000 stores globally.

The Blockbuster Story

James addresses the common misconception that Blockbuster failed because it didn't adapt to digital streaming. He provides a detailed account of how Blockbuster was actually ahead of its time, partnering with Enron in the early 2000s to develop a digital movie delivery system. However, the financial crisis of 2008 and the company's heavy debt load hindered its ability to fully transition to streaming. James also discusses the potential for the Blockbuster brand to return as an aggregator of streaming content in the future.

Social Media:

Instagram @jkeyesauthor

X @jkeyesauthor https://x.com/jkeyesauthor

TikTok @jkeyesauthor https://www.tiktok.com/@jkeyesauthor

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Jim-Keyes/61551901501319/

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@jkeyesauthor

LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215/

LinkedIn Book: https://www.linkedin.com/company/education-is-freedom-by-james-w-keyes/posts/?feedView=all

The Art of Storytelling and Resilience in Hollywood

Guest: Kay Oliver

• Background: Kay Oliver is a dynamic storyteller with degrees in radio, TV, and film from California State University Fullerton, and an MBA in business. With three decades in the entertainment industry, Kay has produced, written, and directed films, spending much of her career in Hollywood. She’s recently been recognized in Marquis Who’s Who in America in 2024.

Introduction:

• Host: Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Kay Oliver, highlighting her extensive experience in Hollywood and her current work as a novelist. Kay’s journey from the entertainment industry to becoming a celebrated author is discussed, along with her ability to overcome challenges with humor and empathy.

Early Career and Hollywood Experience:

• Beginnings: Kay shares her early passion for storytelling, starting with a sixth-grade speech writing contest. She pursued a degree in Radio TV Film at Cal State Fullerton, which led to a successful career in Hollywood.
• Hollywood Career: Kay worked for notable figures like Lew Wasserman and companies like DreamWorks. Despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she produced strong female-centered films and battled breast cancer during her time in Hollywood.

Transition to Writing Novels:

• Shift to Novel Writing: After surviving breast cancer, Kay decided to pursue her passion for writing novels. Her first novel won four awards, and she has since published nine books, each focusing on strong female characters and real-life challenges.
• Highlighted Works:
• Dr. Callie Werther Series: Begins with "Disturbed Tombs," exploring why ancient mummies are unearthed while modern graveyards are considered sacred.
• The Road to Illicium: A story of personal loss and redemption, involving a man who mentors a young boy amidst life’s challenges. This book has won nine awards and is in consideration for a movie adaptation.

Challenges of Being a Female Creator in Hollywood:

• Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry: Kay discusses the difficulties she faced as a woman in Hollywood, from pay disparities to dealing with inappropriate behavior. Despite these challenges, she continued to create powerful stories with strong female leads.
• Evolution in Hollywood: The conversation touches on the slow but evident shift in Hollywood towards recognizing female talent and stories, with references to films like "Frozen" and the ongoing fight for equal pay.

Marketing and Writing Insights:

• Marketing as a Writer: Kay emphasizes the importance of marketing one’s work, noting that writing the book is just the beginning. She shares tips on how to effectively market a book and the effort required to succeed in the industry.
• Writing Tips: Kay encourages writers to write with passion and to focus on the editing process. She provides resources and writing tips on her website for aspiring authors.

BIO:

Kay A. Oliver is a dynamic storyteller with degrees in Radio/TV/Film from California State University, Fullerton, and an MBA in Business. With over three decades in entertainment, she has produced, written, and directed films, championing women's resilience in her novels. Notable works include the "Dr. Kaili Worthy" series and "Road to Elysium," exploring life's challenges with humor and empathy. Honored in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America 2024, her legacy as a legendary storyteller is cemented.

Social Media:

Website: https://KayAOliver.com

Twitter: @amazinglyOliveTikTok: Hollywood_Gal

Instagram: The_Hollywood_Gal

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkayaoliver

Amazon Author Central: https://tinyurl.com/4zkamn6s

Dr. Allen Lycka:

Welcome to "How to Live a Fantastic Life." Today, we have a special guest, Marc Fussell, an expert in mental wellness and founder of the nonprofit Take Two Minutes, a platform designed to enhance mental wellness through positive psychology and technology. Marc has been in IT for 25 years and has a deep passion for improving mental health.

Marc Fussell:

Thank you, Dr. Allen. I appreciate the introduction.

The Birth of "Take Two Minutes"

Dr. Allen Lycka:

Marc, can you share how your passion led to the creation of this platform?

Marc Fussell:

The platform started when my son, Luke, was struggling with mental well-being in high school. I began sending him positive messages daily to lift his spirits, which eventually snowballed into the platform we have today. I leveraged my 29 years of experience in technology to create a system that allowed me to send these messages at appropriate times. The platform grew as more people wanted to receive the messages, and eventually, I collaborated with a psychologist from Duke University to further develop it.

Developing the Platform

Dr. Allen Lycka:

Can you tell us more about the developmental phase?

Marc Fussell:

I initially wrote the messages myself, and over time, counselors and psychologists contributed to the content. The platform now includes a mix of original messages and famous quotes, all designed to promote positivity and mental wellness.

The Importance of Gratitude

Dr. Allen Lycka:

You emphasize gratitude in your platform. Why is it so important?

Marc Fussell:

Gratitude is a powerful tool recommended by many therapists to help people shift their focus to the positive aspects of life. At Take Two Minutes, we have a Gratitude Challenge to help people start a gratitude practice. By recognizing things to be grateful for daily, people can prime their minds to notice positivity more easily, which can help combat negative thought patterns and depression.

Dr. Allen Lycka:

When should one practice gratitude journaling?

Marc Fussell:

We recommend gratitude journaling in the morning to start the day on a positive note. In the evening, we suggest reflecting on "Three Good Things" that happened during the day. This combination helps reinforce positive thinking throughout the day.

BIO:

MARC S. FUSSELL is the visionary founder behind the non-profit Take 2 Minutes, a revolutionary platform designed to enhance mental wellness through positive psychology and technology. With over 25 years of experience in IT, Marc’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for improving mental health have led to creating a suite of tools that leverage daily positive messages, gratitude journaling, meditations, breathing exercises, a grounding exercise, a gratitude challenge, sleep audio, dream journaling, and more to foster happiness and wellbeing. As a dedicated father, his journey into positive psychology was inspired by a personal commitment to support his son’s mental health, evolving into a mission to spread positivity to a broader audience. Marc’s expertise in positive psychology, technology’s role in mental health, and the power of small habits to drive significant life changes make him an inspiring speaker for podcasts focusing on wellness, technology, and personal growth.

Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcfussell/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/take2min/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/take2min/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@take2min

Interview with Joel Dubin

Introduction

• Host: Dr. Allen Lycka
• Guest: Joel Dubin, a retired cybersecurity consultant turned humorous author and foreign language enthusiast.
• Topic: Discussion of Joel's book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Dysfunctional Companies."

Segment 1: Inspiration Behind the Book

• Joel shares his extensive experience consulting for various companies, observing dysfunctionality and office politics.
• The book was a form of "therapy" for Joel after years of encountering dysfunctional corporate environments.
• Joel spent nearly a year writing the book, committing to daily writing and revisions.

Segment 2: Identifying Dysfunctional Companies

• Joel introduces the concept of the "Asshole Density Ratio" as a humorous metric for measuring dysfunction in a company.
• Key indicators of a dysfunctional company include:
• High levels of ego and office politics.
• Confused messaging and inconsistency between what a company says and what it does.
• Lack of psychological awareness in business practices.

Segment 3: Strategies for Dealing with Dysfunction

• Joel outlines three options for employees in dysfunctional companies:

1. Stay and endure the environment.
2. Attempt to change the environment.
3. Prepare to leave and find a better opportunity.

• He emphasizes the importance of networking, skill development, and staying loyal to one’s career rather than the company.

Segment 4: The Seven Habits of Dysfunctional Companies

1. If It Makes Sense, Don’t Do It:

• Companies often complicate simple tasks, leading to inefficiency.
• Dysfunctional companies fail at core activities like selling and servicing products.

1. Turf Battles Are Part of Our Culture:

• Bureaucracy and internal competition hinder collaboration and progress.
• Employees focus more on building personal fiefdoms than contributing to the company’s success.

1. Poor Communication Delivers the Message:

• Employees are bombarded with conflicting messages and excessive communication, leading to confusion and inefficiency.

1. If You’re Not in a Meeting, You’ll Be Assigned to One:

• Meetings are often unproductive and lack clear agendas.
• Dysfunctional companies have a culture of excessive and unnecessary meetings.

1. Human Contact with Customers is Prohibited:

• Companies make it difficult for customers to reach real people, leading to frustration and poor customer service experiences.

1. Drive Out Your Best Employees and Ignore the Rest:

• Dysfunctional companies fail to retain top talent and often have counterproductive HR practices.
• Employees are often underappreciated, undertrained, and overburdened.

1. The Company Doesn’t Serve the Common Good:

• Companies often engage in practices that contradict their public statements, such as claiming to be environmentally friendly while polluting.

Segment 5: Closing Thoughts

• Joel emphasizes the importance of staying proactive in managing one’s career.
• Dr. Lycka and Joel discuss the value of efficient meetings and the dangers of bureaucratic inertia.
• The interview concludes with a reminder that while the book is humorous, the issues it addresses are serious and widespread in many organizations.

BIO:

Joel Dubin is a retired cybersecurity consultant turned humor author and foreign language enthusiast. His most recent book, The 7 Habits of Highly Dysfunctional Companies, was inspired by his many years working both for, and with, messed up companies. The book pokes fun at office politics and bureaucracy and, in an offhand way, is an anti-manual of how not to run a business. He is fluent in several languages, which enabled him to do consulting around the world. He lives in Chicago. He has an MBA from Kellogg at Northwestern University.

Social Media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeldubin/

Web Site: https://www.dysfunctionalcompany.com/

X: @dubinslanguages and @dubinscybernews