Twins Talk it Up Podcast

Episode 21: The Health Pandemic Led to a Vision

Twins talk it Up Episode 21: The Health Pandemic Led to a Vision
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode, we are joined by our good friend Cordell Carter. Cordell is the Executive Director of the Socrates Program with the Aspen Institute. The Socrates Program is a forum for emerging leaders to convene and explore contemporary issues through expert-moderated dialogue. He also serves as a Strategic Advisory Board member at Fvlcrum Fundsll; an organization focused on creating generational wealth in minority communities.
We discuss how the Health Pandemic led to his latest inspiration. How did Covid-19 hit so close to home? Why is this event so important?
The event will help raise awareness and bring together incredible partnerships and is entitled the Afro-Latinx Festival of the Diaspora, and will be held early Spring of 2022. His vision is to celebrate the contributions of Afrolatinos through the power of networking, cultural exchange, artistic showcases, culinary presentations, and of course education.

Episode 20: Not giving up on your Sales People

Twins talk it Up Episode 20: Not giving up on your Sales People
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode, we are joined by Derek Shebby of Modern Sales Training. We discuss why it's important to never give up on your sales professionals.
We ask the obvious question of what causes sales professionals to quit? They typically come into their sales role to be successful and make money. Perhaps they become disillusioned thinking success would come easier or come sooner. Leadership needs to take responsibility for their sales teams - for their development. It may not be their sales people who 'suck'; they might 'suck'. Training is needed for both the sales professionals and management teams.
Is there ever a time a Sales Manager or a Sales Leader should give up on a sales professional? Derek says that they need to fight for their sales people. We must exhaust every resource to ensure their success. They must know that leadership believes in them.
You will get a kick out of how Derek compares the type of path sales professionals can take and still be successful. Not all sales leaders are meant to be or want to be managers or directors. Some prefer to be Michael Jordan, while others choose to be Phil Jackson. The goal is still the same. The goal is to win Championships. A sales professional may choose to stay in the sales role or become a sales manager. The overall goal is to win as a team.
Learn more about Derek Shebby and Modern Sales Training at www.modernsalestraining.com

Episode 19: Navigating Leadership in Times of Disruption

Twins Talk it Up Episode 19: Navigating Leadership in Times of Disruption
In this Twins Talk it Up episode, we speak with author and corporate trainer Tony Chatman about navigating leadership in times of disruption.
Tony shares the difference between change and disruption. Change can be planned while disruption seemingly comes out of nowhere. Leadership is tested during these times of disruption but they still need to respond. They are considering now only the growth of their organizations, they also have to be considerate of their employees and their emotional and technological needs.
Tony is the author of the book, 'The Force Multiplier’, where he writes about how leaders can build trust, loyalty and can get the best out of their teams. How can we during this challenging time maximize our efforts as leaders? True leadership is about relationships.
Unconscious bias as a key topic for organizations to address. Honesty, communication and teamwork are essential for a healthy and functional organization. A lack of awareness can lead to blind spots and an unhealthy corporate culture.
Love that Tony spoke about how many within the C-Suite can suffer from imposter syndrome. We actually spoke on this in an earlier episode.
Tony and Danny go into a dialogue about their love of music.

Episode 18: Future of Education & Leadership

Twins Talk it Up Episode 18: Future of Education & Leadership
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode, we are joined by educational thought leader Antonio Boyd. We have known Antonio for over 27 years going back to our days at Howard University.
Antonio Boyd serves as the COO of Future of School a non-traditional learning platform that started off years ahead of this learning curve we have been forced into because of the health pandemic. He also is CEO, President of two other organizations: Think Tank Consulting Group & Crash Zone Entertainment.
The Future School is a blended learning format focusing more on experiential learning. K-12 education because of the health pandemic has led to education and schools to utilize more of an online platform. He sees the educational space becoming more of a blended model, physically at the school and online space. He calls this crisis schooling.
We speak about health pandemic and how the virus has affected not only students but also educators and teachers. Now more than ever, we need great leadership at every level including within our government to support our educational system.
Technology is playing a vital role in shaping how our educational system will evolve. Partnerships with Google and Microsoft have helped to support the necessary changing educational landscape. There has been a growth in a "pod" style of learning to support families and communities.
We must also be aware of the needs and health both mentally and physically of our educators, administrators and support staff.
https://www.futureof.school/
http://www.thinktankconsultinggroup.com/
Fixing Education During the Pandemic:
(https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-f...)
The Future of Our Schools: An Urgency For Change:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GLEF...)

Episode 17: Twins & Entrepreneurs Keisha Sumner & Kenya-Marie Farmer

Twins Talk it Up Episode 17: Twins & Entrepreneurs Keisha Sumner & Kenya-Marie Farmer
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode, we are joined by entrepreneurs and twins Keisha Sumner & Kenya-Marie Farmer.
We first met Keisha and Kenya while we were all students at Howard University. We discuss life growing up as twins and how they ended up collaborating on their joint business venture, Raw Vegan Sistas. Keisha in addition to being a Health & Wellness Coach, spends much of her time with research into the public health sector. Kenya currently is a TV Producer, Program Manager and a Health & Wellness Coach.
We need to consider taking care of our health now or come to the realization that it could cost us more in the future. You can "pay the price later or pay the price now".
Great charge from the entrepreneurs: "When you're being led to do something, when you're being led to do a business, when you're being led to create or to do something... Do it. Do it scared."

Episode 16: Conquering Imposter Syndrome

Twins talk it Up Episode 16: Conquering Imposter Syndrome
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode we discuss how to conquer imposter syndrome.
What is imposter syndrome? What if I have feelings of being 'found out' or proven to be a 'fraud'?
How can someone conquer imposter syndrome? To combat this, consider the following:
Reframing Taking ownership
Stop comparing
Don't play it safe
Redefine your purpose
Be connected
Stay vulnerable
Invest in coaching. The greatest athletes and performers in the world understand the value and invest in coaching. You are worth it. Invest in yourself.
You are incredible.

Episode 15: Wakanda Forever, Leadership lessons from Chadwick Boseman

Twins talk it Up Episode 15: Wakanda Forever, Leadership lessons from Chadwick Boseman
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode entitled: Wakanda Forever; we take a moment to look back at leadership lessons we can Lessons from Chadwick Boseman.
Chadwick Boseman was a fellow graduate of the incredible Howard University. His dedication to the community and to playing roles so gracefully and powerfully while maintaining his privacy is something to be commended and imitated.
While there are so many leadership lessons we can learn from Chadwick and how he lived his life, we want to discuss 3 of them:
1. Build for more than one
2. When to be private vs when to be public
3. Deep sense of Awareness
Which role was your favorite? What leadership lesson can you learn from and implement?
Thank you Chadwick. May your memories and example shine for all generations. Wakanda Forever!

Episode 14: Why it’s important to know and share your Story

Twins talk it Up Episode 14: Why it's important to know and share your Story
In this Twins Talk it Up Podcast Episode, Danny and I take discuss why it’s important to know and share your Story.
We all love stories. What if I told you that your story needs to be told – that your story needs to be heard? What if your story could inspire others to hold onto to hope?
Great stories can be born from almost anywhere. Your story may start because of hardship, trials or even tragedy.
What are the elements of every great story? Ask yourself, what is the conflict? Who is the hero? Is there a villain? What’s the point of the story? And why would that matter to me?
Tell your story in your own voice.
Let us help you with your story.

Episode 13: Twins & Sales Leaders Mike & Steve Merrill

Twins talk it Up: Twins & Sales Leaders Mike & Steve Merrill
In this Twins Talk it Up Episode, we are joined by sales leaders Mike & Steve Merrill. The Merrill brothers are not only incredible sales leaders; they are also twins.
We discuss what it was like growing up as twins and how this has supported their professional growth. We discover how they both found their way into having sales careers. Interesting that Steve and Mike worked at the same time in the same company on two different occasions.
Fascinating that they attribute some of their communication skills used within their work environments to their relationship as twins.
Steve and Mike both share tips for sales professionals. Great insight of how organizations buy you before they buy your product. You are more than your sales script. Celebrate small wins as sales cycles can vary (pending industry). If you are not sold on what you are selling, you will not be very successful. Preparation and knowing your prospect is key to closing more deals.
Steve Merrill is a Digital Marketing Strategist and a Senior Sales Executive with Salesforce.
Mike Merrill is an Enterprise Sales Executive with Amazon. Mike also delivered a TEDx Talk entitled, "What Pig Farming Taught me about Business".

Episode 12: Celebrate Any and All Victories

Twinks talk it Up: Celebrate Any and All Victories
In this Episode of the Twins Talk it Up Podcast, we discuss why you should celebrate all the victories in your life. Don't reserve your celebrations for the 'large' and significant victories, but celebrate even the smallest of victories. These are stepping stones.
Do you have a 'Victory Journal'? This is where you write down any and all of your victories. Ask us about the Affirmations Worksheet. This is where you create and state often your own "I am" statements. Say, "I am awesome!" How do you celebrate? Interestingly enough that Danny likes chocolate. Go from victory to victory. Do the most difficult things first.
Facebook Speaking Group where we celebrate Victory Friday: C-Suite Executive Speaking Points.