The Octopus Organization

Credit: The Octopus Organization

Overview

Large-scale organizational transformations usually don’t work. What originally starts as a way of improving an organization becomes an all-consuming distraction, a value-destroying set of activities that, even as it becomes clear they will fail, must be completed at any cost. But there is a better way: becoming an Octopus Organization.

The octopus is everything you need your organization to be in these turbulent times: extremely smart, endlessly adaptable, and highly resilient. Its eight arms work beautifully in concert, but crucially, each arm can think for itself if it needs to work independently. Your organization can work as intelligently and as beautifully as these amazing creatures, if you change your operating model. Credit: The Octopus Organization. 

How Countries Go Broke By Ray Dalio

Credit: How Countries Go Broke

Overview

For decades, politicians, policymakers, and investors have debated these questions, but the answers have eluded them. In this groundbreaking book, Ray Dalio, one of the greatest investors of our time who anticipated the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2010–12 European debt crisis, shares for the first time his detailed explanation of what he calls the “Big Debt Cycle.” Understanding this cycle is critical for helping policymakers, investors, and the general public grasp where we are and where we are headed with the debt issue. Dalio’s model points toward surprisingly straightforward solutions for dealing with the debt problems that the US, Europe, Japan, and China face today. How Countries Go Broke also shows how these debt problems are related to the other forces—political within countries, geopolitical between countries, natural (droughts, floods, and pandemics), and technological (most importantly, AI)—that together are causing what Dalio calls the “Overall Big Cycle” changes in the world order. By reading this book, you will improve your understanding of what’s happening now and what to do about it. Credit: Barnes & Noble; Economic Principles.

Everything Is Tuberculosis By John Green

 

Credit: Everything is Tuberculosis

 

Overview

Tuberculosis has been entwined with hu­manity for millennia. Once romanticized as a malady of poets, today tuberculosis is seen as a disease of poverty that walks the trails of injustice and inequity we blazed for it. In 2019, author John Green met Henry Reider, a young tuberculosis patient at Lakka Government Hospital in Sierra Leone. John be­came fast friends with Henry, a boy with spindly legs and a big, goofy smile. In the years since that first visit to Lakka, Green has become a vocal advocate for increased access to treatment and wider awareness of the healthcare inequi­ties that allow this curable, preventable infec­tious disease to also be the deadliest, killing over a million people every year. In Everything Is Tuberculosis, John tells Henry’s story, woven through with the scientific and social histories of how tuberculosis has shaped our world—and how our choices will shape the future of tuberculosis. Credit: Everything is Tuberculosis.

Source Code: My Beginnings By Bill Gates

Credit: Source Code, Bill Gates

Overview

The business triumphs of Bill Gates are widely known: the twenty-year-old who dropped out of Harvard to start a software company that became an industry giant and changed the way the world works and lives; the billionaire many times over who turned his attention to philanthropic pursuits to address climate change, global health, and U.S. education. Source Code is not about Microsoft or the Gates Foundation or the future of technology. It’s the human, personal story of how Bill Gates became who he is today: his childhood, his early passions and pursuits. It’s the story of his principled grandmother and ambitious parents, his first deep friendships and the sudden death of his best friend; of his struggles to fit in and his discovery of a world of coding and computers in the dawn of a new era; of embarking in his early teens on a path that took him from midnight escapades at a nearby computer center to his college dorm room, where he sparked a revolution that would change the world. Bill Gates tells this, his own story, for the first time: wise, warm, revealing, it’s a fascinating portrait of an American life. Credit: Amazon; Bill Gates.

Life 3.0 By Max Tegmark

 

Credit: Life 3.0 - Max Tegmark

Overview

How can we grow our prosperity through automation without leaving people lacking income or purpose? What career advice should we give today’s kids? How can we make future AI systems more robust, so that they do what we want without crashing, malfunctioning or getting hacked? Should we fear an arms race in lethal autonomous weapons? Will machines eventually outsmart us at all tasks, replacing humans on the job market and perhaps altogether? Will AI help life flourish like never before or give us more power than we can handle? What sort of future do you want? This book empowers you to join what may be the most important conversation of our time. It doesn’t shy away from the full range of viewpoints or from the most controversial issues—from superintelligence to meaning, consciousness and the ultimate physical limits on life in the cosmos. Credit: Life 3.0; Penguin Random House.

Burn Book, A Tech Love Story

Credit: Burn Book by Kara Swisher

 

 
Overview
Part memoir, part history, Burn Book is a necessary chronicle of tech’s most powerful players. From “the queen of all media” (Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal), this is the inside story we’ve all been waiting for about modern Silicon Valley and the biggest boom in wealth creation in the history of the world. When tech titans crowed that they would “move fast and break things,” Kara Swisher was moving faster and breaking news. While covering the explosion of the digital sector in the early 1990s, she developed a long track record of digging up and reporting the facts about this new world order. Her consistent scoops drove one CEO to accuse her of “listening in the heating ducts” and prompted Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg to once observe: “It is a constant joke in the Valley when people write memos for them to say, ‘I hope Kara never sees this.’”

While still in college, Swisher got her start at The Washington Post, where she became one of the few people in journalism interested in covering the nascent Internet. She went on to work for The Wall Street Journal, joining with Walt Mossberg to start the groundbreaking: All Things Digital conference, as well as pioneering tech news sites. Swisher has interviewed everyone who matters in tech over three decades, right when they presided over an explosion of world-changing innovation that has both helped and hurt our world. Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Sheryl Sandberg, Bob Iger, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Meg Whitman, Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, and Mark Zuckerberg are just a few whom Swisher made sweat—figuratively and, in Zuckerberg’s case, literally. Credit: New York Times; Amazon.

 

 

Glow Kids by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras

Credit: Glow Kids

In Glow Kids, Dr. Nicholas Kardaras will examine how technology―more specifically, age-inappropriate screen tech, with all of its glowing ubiquity―has profoundly affected the brains of an entire generation. Brain imaging research is showing that stimulating glowing screens are as dopaminergic (dopamine activating) to the brain’s pleasure center as sex. And a growing mountain of clinical research correlates screen tech with disorders like ADHD, addiction, anxiety, depression, increased aggression, and even psychosis. Most shocking of all, recent brain imaging studies conclusively show that excessive screen exposure can neurologically damage a young person’s developing brain in the same way that cocaine addiction can. Kardaras will dive into the sociological, psychological, cultural, and economic factors involved in the global tech epidemic with one major goal: to explore the effect all of our wonderful shiny new technology is having on kids. Glow Kids also includes an opt-out letter and a "quiz" for parents in the back of the book. Credit: Glow Kids by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

 

Credit: Zero to One

Overview

The great secret of our time is that there are still uncharted frontiers to explore and new inventions to create. In Zero to One, legendary entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel shows how we can find singular ways to create those new things.  Thiel begins with the contrarian premise that we live in an age of technological stagnation, even if we’re too distracted by shiny mobile devices to notice. Information technology has improved rapidly, but there is no reason why progress should be limited to computers or Silicon Valley. Progress can be achieved in any industry or area of business. It comes from the most important skill that every leader must master: learning to think for yourself.  Doing what someone else already knows how to do takes the world from 1 to n, adding more of something familiar. But when you do something new, you go from 0 to 1. The next Bill Gates will not build an operating system. The next Larry Page or Sergey Brin won’t make a search engine. Tomorrow’s champions will not win by competing ruthlessly in today’s marketplace. They will escape competition altogether, because their businesses will be unique. Credit: Zero to One; Good Reads.

Credit: Peter Thiel, Founders Fund

Meet the Author - Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel is an entrepreneur and investor. He started PayPal in 1998, led it as CEO, and took it public in 2002, defining a new era of fast and secure online commerce. In 2004 he made the first outside investment in Facebook, where he serves as a director. The same year he launched Palantir Technologies, a software company that harnesses computers to empower human analysts in fields like national security and global finance. He has provided early funding for LinkedIn, Yelp, and dozens of successful technology startups, many run by former colleagues who have been dubbed the “PayPal Mafia.” He is a partner at Founders Fund, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm that has funded companies like SpaceX and Airbnb. He started the Thiel Fellowship, which ignited a national debate by encouraging young people to put learning before schooling, and he leads the Thiel Foundation, which works to advance technological progress and long-term thinking about the future. Credit: Amazon

Meet Gregory Shepard, Serial Entrepreneur & Writer

 

Credit: Gregory Shepard | www.gregoryshepard.com

Gregory Shepard is a 20-year startup veteran, angel investor, author, and serial entrepreneur with 14 liquidity events under his belt in BioTech, TransTech, AdTech, and MarTech industries, two of which were sold as part of a $925M transaction that won 4 private equity awards for transactions between $250M and $1B. Greg has accomplished all of this while existing with 7 neurodivergent conditions including Autism and Dyslexia. As a Forbes Book Author and Contributor, and Forbes Podcast Host, his work has been featured or quoted in publications including Fortune, Entrepreneur, The New York Observer, The DEAL, and Thrive Global. Greg has appeared on TV, Radio, Podcasts, and has been featured as a TEDx and Keynote Speaker at multiple conferences and universities worldwide. Greg is the co-founder of BOSS Capital Partners, the creator of BOSS (Business Operating Support System), an open-source methodology developed to empower entrepreneurs while increasing startup success rate, and the founder of BOSS Startup Science Academy. Using fearless optimism and steadfast determination Greg is using Silicon Valley’s deal-making culture as a vehicle to spread his message of “Altruistic Capitalism” and inject capital into the hands of fearlessly ambitious, creative, and passionate under served entrepreneurs looking to spark positive change in the world. Credit: Gregory Shepard

Credit: Gregory Shepard | gregoryshepard.com

Author Insights by Dr. Helen Caldicott

Dr. Caldicott, Welcome to Authors by Sasha. As an accredited Australian and American physician who has contributed her medical expertise to Harvard Medical School, what inspired you to initially specialize in the field of pediatrics? This investment granted you an opportunity to establish the first Australian clinic for cystic fibrosis at the Adelaide Children's Hospital.  

I had been working at Harvard at the Children’s Hospital Medical Center on a sabbatical with Dr Harry Schwachman, a pioneer in the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis, and when I returned home to Adelaide I realized that these children were essentially untreated at the Adelaide Children’s Hospital, so I said I can treat these children however the powers that be told me that I was not a pediatrician therefore I could not do that. So I said to my husband I’ve supported you in your medical training now it's my turn, so I worked 80 hours a week as a pediatric intern, passed the difficult exam to become a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, where upon I set up the first cystic Fibrosis clinic in Australia which now has the best longevity results in the country.

At what point in your career did you become involved with educating audiences about the harmful effects of radiation from a pediatric perspective? Was there a patient case, or current event that stirred your desire to raise awareness for managing a healthier global environment? 

When I learned that the drinking water in Adelaide was contaminated by radioactive fallout from the French atomic tests in the Pacific and I wrote a letter to the paper outlining the medical dangers re people and children drinking radioactive water and eating radioactive food, thereupon I was frequently on TV educating the public as a doctor about these dangers and the public became outraged at the French so our Prime minister took France to the International Criminal Court whereupon it was forced to test underground. 

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki represent the only time in history where the use of nuclear weapons were present in armed conflict. As someone born between these two historical events, how have your world views evolved towards humanity in general?  

Well I was born on August 7 between Hiroshima and Nagasaki days so I was clearly destined to try and do something about nuclear weapons. I suppose I don’t really trust humanity which has always fought and killed, motivated I think by the testosterone imperative. It’s time women who compose 52% of the human race took over, if not, I believe we are doomed.

How can global civilians learn more about the presence of nuclear programs and their side effects without relying on the media? 

Well I used to be on TV and radio all the time in the 80’s in the US as I had a wonderful Hollywood agent who worked with me for free, and in that way 80% of Americans were educated and frightened about the medical consequences of nuclear war, and that  welling up of public fear led to Reagan and Gorbachev meeting in Iceland in 1988 and they agreed to then end of the Cold war but unfortunately that didn’t take place and we are now on the brink of annihilation with the war in the Ukraine with Putin suggesting the use of nuclear weapons.

The media is a tool that can be leveraged to communicate powerful messages to the masses. There are historical movements (i.e. women's movement and gay rights) which gained traction through mobilization of people without the strong reliance on the media. You've referenced "Nudes Not Nukes" in your speaking engagements. How did this social experience play a significant role in capturing the media's attention? 

I was speaking in the Herbst lecture theater in SF with Patch Adams about Y2K and the media’s lack of coverage, when Patch said we should walk naked across America, at which point I asked the packed theater who would do that and every hand went up, so we stripped off our clothes and walked naked down Van Ness chanting “nudes not nukes”, and we broke the media impasse and were covered in the NYT the next day – so nudity works.

Do you believe the quality and outcome of social activism would improve if people focused more on raising awareness and less on commercially marketing their messages on virtual platforms? 

I think that it is absolutely imperative that the media start to educate people about the medical effects of nuclear war. I am available as are many of my medical colleagues in Physicians for Social Responsibility, both on TV, radio and the press. I suggest that you all obtain a copy of IF YOU LOVE THIS PLANET from my website helencaldicott.com. It won an Oscar, is over 30 years old, is half an hour long and really packs a punch. It should be shown in every TV station -in America at least once.

Dr. Caldicott, as the Founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, you've shared the medical profession holds a sacred responsibility to serve patients who trust their doctors with their well-being. Do you suspect some doctors are starting to compromise their Hippocratic Oath in order to accommodate the commercial and political interests of the world?  

I don’t really know that because most of my medical colleagues practice medicine to the best of their ability.

How can doctors remain cognizant of their primary responsibility without jeopardizing their principles like some scientists in our global community? 

Well we all took the Hippocratic Oath and that is the basis of our profession.

You've authored eight books to date which include Nuclear Madness, Missile Envy and recently Sleepwalking to Armageddon. Sleepwalking to Armageddon captures the history and politics of nuclear weapons; at the same time explores the use and exploitation of nuclear weapons over the years. For this endeavor, you successfully assembled the world's leading nuclear scientists and thought leaders to assess the political and scientific dimensions of the threat of nuclear war today. What metrics did you apply to engage these subject matter experts which serve as credible sources to comment on such a controversial topic? 

I have no metrics, I am well known as one of the leaders of the Freeze movement of the 1980s and hence I know many of these scientists and we work together.

In 2016, your work referenced there were at least 15 nuclear reactor sites present in the country of Ukraine. They were described as sitting time bombs. There are nuclear sites situated throughout the world including at least 48 sites within the United States; few minor sites managed by prominent universities. If these land mines were to go off, it would destroy all of civilization encompassing humans, animals and plants. Ideally we would want to cease the operations of these nuclear sites. Given the state of the world today, what precautionary measures can we take to slow the proliferation of these sites?

There are really no precautionary measures as they are all sitting time bombs filled with tons of toxic radioactive elements, as well as nuclear waste site, they will be dangerous for one million years, there in really nowhere to store this incredibly dangerous material and if a plant is hit with weapon of war, it will induce another Chernobyl and make millions of square miles uninhabitable, kill millions of acute radiation illness while millions more will be develop cancers over the coming years.

As noted in the 1982 Academy Award winning documentary, If You Love This Planet, audiences are told to change their life priorities to nurture a sustainable planet. Today people invest on fighting environmental challenges such as global warming and terrorism, yet they discount the nuclear arms race and its impact on the world. Is there some psychological dissonance present that prevents people from conquering an actual time sensitive threat that is more damaging than the other environmental matters? 

It’s because it is not being discussed in the media and people are now uneducated regarding the medical consequences. Our work -PSR in the 1980s led to the film THE DAY AFTER which frightened everyone including Reagan who then said NUCLEAR WAR MUST NEVER BE FOUGHT AND CAN NEVER BE WON.

Dr. Caldicott, you've been encouraging the United States to take a bold stand against nuclear weapons for decades. It appears "ignorance is profound in the media '' which contributes to the lack of understanding of how nuclear weapons can destroy not only the planet but the solar system too. This impacts the emergence of new illnesses, contamination in our nutritional consumption and the overall health of each generation that is effected by radioactive environments. As a former radio host and lecturer at New School for Social Research, what call to action do you propose for all media sources in the United States? 

Nuclear war will not destroy the solar system however I urge everyone reading this to download IF YOU LOVE THIS PLANET then after watching it go to your local TV station and demand that they play it .This will break open peoples’ psychic numbing and cause much political action and concern. It should also be played for all members of Congress in their offices as Tip O’Neil once did for our PSR film THE LAST EPIDEMIC.

What activities do you seek for mental stimulation when not you're not preoccupied with your professional engagements and social causes?  

Gardening, cooking, reading and classical music.

Do you participate in any spiritual or personal rituals that keep you grounded to complement the serious nature of the work you perform worldwide? 

No.

As an accomplished author and filmmaker, are there any new messages you anticipate penning in the near future? 

I might complete my autobiography.

Are there any self-development lessons you've acquired through your social activism as an anti-nuclear campaigner? 

No.

Dr. Caldicott, as a Nobel Peace Prize winner & one of the most influential women of the 20th Century honored by the Smithsonian, are there any new opportunities you'd like to prospect as you continue your five decade plus career? 

No, I just want the precious life on earth to continue.

Please share with audiences how they can support your work.  

Well go to my web page, helencaldicott.com and read all the books mentioned there that I’ve written, watch the films and videos and then your soul will be impelled and will know what you have to do to save the planet.

 "If You Love This Planet"

Bit Literacy by Mark Hurst

Credit: Bit Literacy, Mark Hurst

"Bit Literacy" is essential reading for anyone who has experienced "digital overload": the daily flood of e-mail, multiple to do lists, a cluttered desktop, documents in various file formats, and the constant distraction of cell phones and other devices. More than a quick fix or another "how-to" guide, the book offers an entirely new way of attaining productivity that users at any level of expertise can put into action right away. This is "bit literacy," a method for working more productively in the digital age, with less stress. Mark Hurst - who has reached hundreds of thousands of readers through his Good Experience e-mail newsletter, Uncle Mark technology guides, thisisbroken.com, and other websites - has revealed the way to survive, and thrive, in the digital age: "Let the bits go." Credit: Mark Hurst

Credit: Bit Literacy, Quote

"The Rise of Innovation ..."

 Special Interview Conducted by Sasha Laghonh with Keith Hoffert

Credit: Guest Expert & Entrepreneur Keith Hoffert

The Rise of Innovation in Food Services and Restaurant Industries

Credit: Human Capital Leadership

Dr. Nuccitelli on Technology & Human Behaviors

Credit: Dr. Nuccitelli

Dr. Nuccitelli, thank you for sharing your insights today. What inspired you to become a psychologist? What have you learned about the free-will of humans and accountability in their life?

I wish I had a better reason for what inspired me to become a psychologist. The fact is in 8th grade I fell in love with Suzanne Pleshette. She played the wife on the 70s TV sitcom ”The Bob Newhart Show”. I thought that I needed to become a psychologist like Bob Newhart in order to get a girl like her. 

I do subscribe to the idea of free will and accountability in one’s life. Being a practicing psychologist and having worked in behavioral healthcare since the age of 17 years-old, it has become clear that “You Reap What You Sow”. Like all people; I’ve made many mistakes in my life and I have suffered the consequences ranging from insignificant to life changing. The beauty of being human is that we can recognize our mistakes, correct them, make amends and work to prevent them from happening again.  

At what juncture of your career did your professional focus gravitate towards the presence of cyberspace and its effects on society? 

I’ve always been fascinated by the mind and its complexities. Early in my college years I became quite intrigued by what is called “Philosophy of Mind” and the study of human consciousness. Soon after I wrote my concept Dark Psychology (2006), I began to learn about the new environment called cyberspace. I remember reading that cyberspace was best defined as an abstract artificial electronic environment where people could visit and explore. It was then I realized that the criminal, perverse and angry person could target the innocent and vulnerable. It was not long after writing my Dark Psychology concept that I began to formulate the idea of iPredator.

“Cyberspace can be a classroom, insane asylum, dance floor or lethal weapon. It’s your choice what metaphor you choose.” 

What are three action items that individuals can immediately implement to improve their online experience? 

1. Digital Citizenship: The responsible and respectful use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Being compassionate and respectful online reduces the probability of being targeted by an iPredator. 

2. Internet Addiction Assessment: It is not the amount of time a person spends online but whether or not they suffer negative consequences from their usage.

3. Offline Distress Dictates Online Response (ODDOR): Never forget an online user’s offline psychological functioning has a direct effect upon their online actions and how they compile, disseminate and exchange information.

What is a common misconception of becoming a psychologist today? 

Becoming a psychologist is an excellent career choice. The only misconception I can think of would be that psychologists are not confined to working in clinics and private practices. Psychologists function in multiple industries providing a variety of work functions. In the not too distant future, psychologists will increasingly be working within the realms of Cyberpsychology, Online Safety, Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality.   

Your work through ipredator.org educates audiences on how to coexist in cyberspace by engaging as a responsible member of society. Is there a clear distinction between a person being reckless through their decisions & actions versus an individual becoming a victim of external circumstances? 

There is a clear distinction. Not being respectful to others online, spending too much time online despite suffering negative consequences and allowing one’s offline state of mind (ODDOR) to negatively skew online behaviors all lead to an increased probability of being targeted or becoming an iPredator oneself. Online users cannot completely rule out being cyber-attacked, but they can significantly reduce their probability of becoming a target. And just as important, they can eliminate ever becoming an iPredator themselves.

What is the best career and life guidance you've received? What is the most insightful critique you've received in your career? 

“And this too shall pass.”, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say nothing at all.”, “What goes around comes around.” and “Patience is a virtue.” These are the four mantras I reflect upon frequently. Lastly, my Godmother (Anna Sovik 1911-2004) taught me to always be kind to others. God rest her soul and she was and will always be the most influential person in my life.    

What is one book that you've read which you advocate others to read and why? 

For those who are Philosophy of Mind, Psychology, Cyberpsychology and Criminal Psychology enthusiasts; I recommend “Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us” by Robert D. Hare Ph.D. (1993). Dr. Hare presents an excellent description of the mind of the psychopath. It used a great deal of his work to present my concept of the Online Psychopath.

As an author of 26 Online Cyber Risk Assessments, what do all these assessments have in common?What differentiates these benchmarks from one another?

 All 26 of my checklists and inventories are free to direct download in PDF. No personal information or an email address is required. The primary difference is that the checklists are to confirm an online user’s online safety practices and the inventories are to inquire about an online user’s online safety practices. There is redundancy with many of them given cyber-attack prevention and online assailant identification are typically common sense and/or rooted in human error. Link: Cyber Attack Risk Assessments   

What is ODDOR? What purpose does it serve? 

Offline Distress Dictates Online Response (ODDOR) is a sub-tenet of iPredator, which posits that offline psychological functioning directly influences one’s online interactions and interpretations. Whether someone is an online assailant, cyber-attack target or both, ODDOR does not discriminate. ODDOR postulates that temporary and long-standing psychological states can significantly taint an online user’s behaviors and interpretations.

Perceptually isolated, ignorance of the existence of ODDOR and experiencing atypical affective and cognitive states increases the probability of being targeted by an online assailant. In addition to being at a greater risk of being cyber attacked, ODDOR influences an online user to partake in destructive and self-destructive online activities.

An online user who is not affected by ODDOR is neither overly idealistic nor fatalistic, but realistic. To reduce the probability of becoming an online target; it is vital to always be aware how one’s state of mind influences one’s online presentation. It is common sense to know that subjective processing is how we perceive and interpret our offline environment. What is not yet understood is how our offline state of mind skews our online activities.   

How has the onset of COVID impacted cyberspace behavior? What tips can you offer adults to save their time, energy and resources?

The 8 types of online assailant in the iPredator concept include cyberbullies, cyber harassers, cybercriminals, cyberterrorists, cyberstalkers, online sexual predators, internet trolls, and online child pornography consumers & distributors. The COVID pandemic has led to extended periods of isolation, frustration, anxiety, boredom and stress. I hope I’m wrong but I suspect there will be an increase in Internet Addiction and malevolent online activities by 7 of the 8 types of iPredator. I do not suspect there will be a cyberterrorist attack due to COVID. The best advice I can offer online users can be best summed up by these three points:

“Although the benefits of information and communications technology decisively outweigh damages for society; humanity has been seduced by the notion that more technology translates into a greater quality of life.” 

“The modern concept of being “connected” paradoxically makes us less united. The more dependent society becomes upon mobile device technology; the less we know our neighbors and the more it is naively assumed that online associates can be trusted.”

“Comfort the Victims, Educate the Ignorant & Conquer the Corrupt.”   

Please share with audiences how they can support your work.

Website: iPredator |  Facebook: The iPredator |  Twitter: #iPredator |  

Instagram: drnucc

Meet Edmund McCormack, Founder & CEO of Dchained (Cryptocurrency Literary Network)

Credit: Edmund McCormack

Edmund, welcome to Authors By Sasha. Please introduce yourself and share with us why you decided to transition from working in the tech and media space to focus on creating a Cryptocurrency Literary Network. 

I have been involved in cryptocurrency and blockchain since 2012. The initial draw was the technology and how it can address glaring issues with the current internet model: 1) censorship by governments (i.e. the internet experience of someone in China is much different than you and I; 2) relentless data breaches of governments & corporations by hackers; and 3) lack of consumer data protection & privacy. 

The latter became tangible for me in late 2015 when I was working at Apple and I saw Tim Cook speak about Apple’s rapidly-growing stance on user privacy. Personally, it meant that my days were numbered at Apple as they moved to distance themselves from the advertising world; however, I also realized that the current internet model – where companies & governments store your data on their servers – would need to be disrupted. Blockchain offered the solution, and it would not only disrupt how we surf the web but banking and even the money that we use (i.e. crypto). 

Coincidentally, this is when the crypto market started its historic rally that brought the word “cryptocurrency” and “blockchain” into the mainstream. It brought in droves of investors that “threw caution to the wind” and invested into markets that they didn’t understand from a technical or financial standpoint. Unfortunately, many of those investors were caught off-guard 12 months later when Bitcoin, along with the rest of the cryptocurrency market, collapsed. I can’t blame those investors though because most of the credible sources on crypto were highly technical. Individuals who could understand the financial indicators and updates on development knew that the end was near. With a little information and trusted hub to be a “safe haven,” many of those investors could have mitigated their losses.

Today feels very much like early 2016. Crypto is gaining in popularity, except this time they are backed by major financial institutions and significant development advancements. I wanted to create an online destination that made the information, often seen as intimidating and inaccessible to those outside of tech & finance, available for all. This is where the name “Dchained” came from – unlocking this investment & technology space that could change people’s lives. 

What were the common misconceptions related to cryptocurrency when it was initially introduced in the market? What misconceptions still need to be addressed in the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology today? 

In the early years, cryptocurrency had a stigma of being the currency to finance illegal activity. I’m happy that we’ve out of the “dark days” of the Silk Road, as it becomes further embraced by governments and financial institutions. 

The biggest misconception today is that you need to be technical to invest in blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The terms "blockchain" and "crypto" sound foreign to many, but so did HTML and IP Addresses in the early 90s (i.e. the internet). While most people still couldn’t explain how the internet works, it's hard to argue that investing in the early players involved in shaping the internet was a bad decision: Apple, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. They're also the #1, #2, #3, and #4 largest companies in the world, in order. This has the potential to match or exceed that investing opportunity (no time travel required).

Dchained provides a platform to educate oneself on cryptocurrency without complexity. Which topic is the most popular within the Dchained community that delivers utility value among members and potential investors? 

By far, most traffic has come to our section outlining Bitcoin. However, it’s been fascinating to see that nearly half the traffic is over the age of 50 to our Bitcoin content. In general, investing strategy for many starts to shift to assets with less risk as the individual moves closer to retirement age. However, this trend makes sense as the yields from Treasury bonds have decreased steadily as the Federal Reserve has increased the supply of money to support the US economy during COVID. This practice, known as quantitative easing, has led investors to seek out two of the most stable investment assets available: gold and Bitcoin. 

Cryptocurrency serves as a potential investment vehicle for investors. What are the top three questions prospective investors should ask, or research, before extending their resources into the cryptocurrency market? Are there any insights you've acquired through your investing activities?

The top three questions that investors should ask themselves: 1) what is your goal and risk tolerance, 2) how diversified do you want to be (i.e. should you invest in an exchange traded fund (ETF) or purchase a coin directly from an exchange), and 3) what trusted sources are available to stay up-to-date.  

My advice to anyone interested in starting, or growing, their crypto investing portfolio is: 1) take the time to learn the fundamentals (i.e. how is Bitcoin different than Ethereum), 2) store your cryptocurrencies on a hardware wallet instead of the exchange you use to buy from, and 3) do your own research before you make any investment decision.

Risk comes with all forms of investment. On a scale one to ten, how would you rate the risk factor for cryptocurrency investments in general? Has the risk factor increased or decreased due to the Coronavirus pandemic? What does the potential forecast of cryptocurrency demand look like in the next five and ten years? 

The cryptocurrency market delivers opportunity at both ends of the risk spectrum. For example, Bitcoin has been drawing praise from major institutional investment firms, such as Goldman Sachs, and publicly traded companies in the face of our current economic situation. Its limited supply and strength in the face of the weak US economic and jobs data have drawn parallels to the stability that gold offers. In fact, MicroStrategy (a publicly traded business intelligence company) exchanged USD for Bitcoin in its reserves to more effectively store value due to fears of USD devaluation from the Federal Reserve’s steps to increase the supply of money to support the economy during COVID.

While I don’t have a crystal ball to predict where prices will go, it’s clear that cryptocurrency (specifically Bitcoin) is being rapidly adopted in developing countries. For example, the rate of adoption of crypto in Latin America has been inspiring as they turn to cryptocurrency as a solution to staggering inflation and increasingly unstable banking systems. It’s also worth noting that there are 2 billion people globally who do not have access to banking systems, often referred to as “unbanked,” but are actively using mobile phones. It will turn a mass amount of people into participants in the global economy, while creating demand on the limited supply of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (increasing the value for investors).    

You've been engaged in the cryptocurrency market for at least a decade. Engagement in this niche requires good sense and implementation of good strategies. What has this form of investment taught you about decision making skills in life and business?

Behind all the acronyms of the cryptocurrencies are people who are leading technology projects. I have taken a focus of trying to invest in technology that I believe can be transformative, and I’ve used this approach to build confidence and conviction in my investing strategies. The crypto market is heavily influenced by emotion, as seen in the last bull run in 2016 and 2017, and there is no shortage of people who will give you their advice. It’s important to remember that there is no shortcut for doing the due diligence, creating a plan, and maintaining composure during short-term challenges.

Investors are constantly seeking opportunities to acquire diversified return on investment in their portfolios. What are the top four types of cryptocurrency popular in the global markets? Are cryptocurrency investments ideal for individuals seeking short term or long term returns?  Is there any way to offset risk for short term losses?

The crypto market has assets that can appease varying levels of risk & reward that investors can incorporate into their overall portfolio. Personally, I think investors should analyze what is the function of the crypto and what it represents.  

1. Stablecoins, which is cryptocurrency that is backed by fiat currency (i.e. USD or British pound) or commodities such as gold, offer a conservative investing opportunity with minimal volatility and modest returns. Given its association with national currencies, stablecoins provide a higher level of stability. 

2. Bitcoin offers a unique opportunity where it’s a proven store of value but it has significant upside potential given its limited supply. The use case where it can be utilized for large-scale payments, such as government to government, draws further parallels with gold.  

3. Ethereum is an investment in whether it will be the future backbone of digital infrastructure. Investments can net higher returns as Ethereum becomes more widely adopted across industries and further development enables further growth for the platform. However, there has been an influx of competitive technologies that are creating a technical “arms race” with Ethereum to provide the foundation for our connected lives.  

4. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) is a high risk/high reward investment. Its goal is to remove “intermediaries,” such as banks, by allowing individuals to conduct financial activity through “smart contracts.” Investments resemble the practice of stock-picking as you’re financially back that a specific project or offering will become the leader in its specific sector of financial services, such as lending or earning interest on asset holdings. 

Is there a recommended minimum amount needed to invest in the cryptocurrency market? What type of investment strategies have led third parties to lose money in this specific area of investment?

There is no minimum required to invest, as long as you cover any necessary fees charged by the exchanges to buy the cryptocurrency. With that said, there are a few things to consider. The golden rule is that you do not want to invest any amount of money that could put yourself in financial distress if you were to lose it. Additionally, it’s advisable to utilize a dollar-cost averaging investing strategy where you are investing a consistent amount of money consistently on a scheduled basis. This strategy helps investors avoid mistakes often made when trying to “time the market.” Lastly, it’s imperative to do your research and not invest based on the potential of “missing out.” This led to a lot of investors making poor decisions in the last bull run. 

As a subject matter expert and entrepreneur, how have you built your investment network of highly skilled team members which include lawyers, financial advisors and business leaders? Did you find them or did they find you? What guidance do you have for business professionals building a robust network? 

Over the years, I have met individuals both professionally and personally who provide their clients with advice on cryptocurrency in their respective fields. I’m a client of many of these specific individuals, as I’ve sought advice on topics such as filing gains/losses on my tax returns or how to claim crypto holdings when applying for a mortgage. It’s interesting how people involved in the crypto space have sought to offer introductions to help build the community. I want to help open that community up to those who are now getting involved. 

Some people perceive the cryptocurrency market to be a clandestine network which hosts fraudulent activities. How can prospective investors find a peace of mind knowing their identities and resources will not be compromised when participating in the network? 

The clandestine reputation was deserved in the early days, as crypto became associated with the “dark web,” but the world is a much different place with cryptocurrency today. Large financial institutions are focusing their long-term strategy on building crypto investment options for their customers. The Federal Reserve is collaborating with MIT on if/how they roll out digital legal tender. 

Blockchain, which is built to provide anonymity and security, is looked at as a solution to consumer data privacy. I would ask someone to think about how many times they’ve had issues with illegal activity on their credit card, or even worse if their identity was compromised. It’s extremely easy to do because that information is stored on a physical server that hackers can attack. With blockchain, there is no central target for hackers and its use of cryptography make it almost impossible to breach.

How can this form of investment win over the trust of millionaires who strongly oppose investing in a cryptocurrency market that isn't reliable enough due to its young age, and/or the bad information circulating on the financial platforms online? What are the credible stock exchanges that provide valuable information and services to clients wanting to start their crypto journey?

The opinion of wealthy investors have shifted more in favor of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, more in the last year than the 9 years preceding it. Regulation and policy changes from the US government and financial regulatory groups have set the stage for crypto to become mainstream. Large institutional banks are creating funds dedicated to cryptocurrency, such as Fidelity’s upcoming $1B Bitcoin fund, while several leading players in the crypto market are contemplating the move to becoming publicly traded companies.  

Similar to the stock market and politics, there is no shortage of misinformation and people willing to offer it to you. This is why we wanted to create a platform that acts as a safe-haven, where you can build an education in the overall space and stay up-to-date on the latest developments.

Edmund, do you have a favorite quote or a favorite song? How does it inspire you with the work you do? 

It’s a bit cliché to quote Warren Buffett, especially if you’re involved in investing, but he has a quote that is spot-on in the crypto world. “Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.” Crypto is dangerous for investors who think that it’s an apples-to-apples type of market with the stocks and bonds. It’s a whole different beast and you have to know what’s a market signal out of all the noise. This is where we come in as we are focused on building a platform where investors can learn about cryptocurrencies and leverage all the services that we offer our members to invest more effectively. 

 Please share with audiences how they can support your work. 

We host a volume of free content and instructional information on our site www.dchained.com.  Also, follow us on our Facebook page facebook.com/dchained as we will be announcing a virtual video workshop on “How to Get Started in Cryptocurrency.”

Meet Olivia Friedman, CIO and Author

Credit: Olivia Friedman

Hello Olivia, it's a pleasure to meet you. You presently serve as the CIO of The Institute of Higher Global Studies as well work as a celebrated business woman at True Success Coaching. Please briefly share how True Success Coaching was born. 

Nice to meet you as well, I've heard such wonderful things about you and your talents. You know what, as a futurist, and Woman Leader in Tech., knowing what is likely coming down the pike in business as my business sense is almost like a sixth-sense to me. True Success Coaching was born out of pure necessity just prior to Covid-19, whereas companies and their leaders both large and small, were quite hesitant to go fully-digital.Luckily, I suggested back in November of last year to the bulk of my clients, that they make the transition to digital while the getting was good. I guess it was my sixth-sense kicking in. When Covid-19 hit, many of the businesses I worked with not only remained relevant, they also had already made the transition to digital, just in time too. So they were alright for the most part. Yet in reality, I have always been the technology, military and business go-to person. While on active duty in the US Navy also running exercises with the US Marines with Fleet Marine Force Hospital Corpsman groups, while I was Aviation Medicine. I was also a civil servant within the United States Government, and in both the private and public sectors as well. I was a government contractor with Northrop Grumman, a major defense corporation and learned so much, which allows me to assist countless companies strategically, today.

Yet even before the pandemic, many companies sought out seasoned professionals like myself and others. With us being Chief Information Officers and marketing strategists with a vast network and business expertise, we were positioned quite strategically, to assist them with everything from translating technology to business leaders to finding viable technological solutions to everyday business problems and assisting them with pivots in business, to ensure a likely survival if their previous business model, product, or both are no longer relevant. In fact, I was contacted by Suyati Corporation out of India whereas they also have offices in the United States, Germany, and a few other countries. I groomed the possibility of working with the entity and met with Ashutosh Karandikar and Karthic Ravindranath, since they were considering me, a woman for the position which is a wonderful milestone for a company in India, I was impressed with them reaching out to me. The idea was to have me gain contacts and translate business needs to technological solutions.

As a former US Navy "Doc", you've implemented respectable protocol to ensure cyber and offline emergencies were addressed and resolved in a timely manner. Your leadership as an Information Systems Security Officer directed Navy professionals to engage in emergency drills for natural disasters including viruses. Lessons were learned from the SARS virus. What recommendation would you provide to those (government agencies and civilians) attempting to refine their Coronavirus response in the present? 

You know what? That is a great question and it couldn’t have been any timelier. While on active duty in the US Navy working in the triage and acute care clinic, I was the medical person everyone loved to hate since I believed in drills, and not of the simulated variety. What I mean by that is that I always ensured that any emergency drill team I was assigned to, I made sure our drills were as real as possible, within reason. Our last drill was an Ebola drill. We made the calls as the parties were notified of the date and time of the planned drill. We did well, same as we did for an airplane crash emergency which actually happened a month later, of course we did very well. The Admiral and his wife were quite pleased with both the response and their care. The same went for cyber issues while on active duty. Yet since it was a collateral duty which somehow consumed most of my time after my medical duties were complete for the day, I relied on the Information Systems Security Manager for the big cyber issues. He is the one I learned the tricks and nuances of the trade from. He wanted to know I was competent before sending me on trips to cyber security conferences and such in the DC area predominantly. On that note, my advice is to “Pivot in your business, test and fail quickly to find a new niche or two. It’s best to complete the pivot, while the pivoting is good.” “It’s almost as if the economy, business, and countless industries are encountering another reset. Best to fail and learn quickly, in order to benefit from your pivot(s).”

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are adjusting to their new normal. How do you define innovation?

Innovation technologically or any other way post-Covid-19 may be quite simply described as, “Preventive or deliberate and active adaptation, or implementation of something new or by adjusting something already in place, by way of implementing new, or improved action(s), process(es), or product(s) that is/are vital to the survival of an entity, person, or group; as they may be known or not known for - if the pivot is drastic.” 

A good example of this would be Starbucks. As opposed to going out of business, they might pivot to coffee sales only, or lease out their brand to countless coffee shops around the world to remain relevant in their field, and still make billions of dollars, off of a brand they built ages ago without franchising a single shop. Another way innovation may be defined is; “Improvising and improving in just about any area, by implementing a new method, product, model, or concept as well as or possibly improving upon those already existing, in order to sustain or prepare for in advance, that which may already be or in the foreseeable future may clearly become, obsolete.” 

As a business coach and consultant, how can these business owners rely on innovation to sustain their organizations during these dynamic times when business forecasting can be unpredictable and perhaps even intimidating? 

Excellent question. In a nutshell, since none of us are psychic to the point of predicting all the perfect businesses to thrive during the post-Covid era – all we can do is try, try, try again, fail and learn quickly. Then to do it all again, faster and faster – until ultimately finding new and viable niche(s). I have a funny story to tell you. I did well upon coming to the South in transportation. Yet when I first arrived, I tried seeking businesses that required little to no maintenance. Therefore, I immediately asked about a drive-in theater. I was laughed at and told no, there weren’t any and that the South was no longer a backward one horse and buggy town. I laughed with the gentleman but continued my search and found one in Athens, Alabama that wasn’t bad at all. There then, it was $25K at the time if I’m not mistaken. Imagine its worth now, 10 years later during Covid-19. Easy to maintain, easy to open, work, and close. I’m sure the person who laughed at me back then is thinking right about now, that I was onto something, wouldn’t you agree? 

My point is this, you have to first follow your own gut as a business owner, then realize you need a team, check feasibility and your cake and get a plan to implement so you know your steps before you take them, do your research, speak with those who already know the industry if not your specific niche, yes – find the major hitter and get their advice, get your cake up, and assemble your dream team and a few others as backup including a board as well as a mentor or two if you’re serious, and dive right in. It’s the only way to learn what will work. Right now, some of the most unlikely businesses are thriving right now. Everything from food delivery to restaurants and grocery stores. Now the airline industry is a toss up right now but I’m still hanging in there with them, Tesla as well although I have a friend who knows the leaders of Tesla’s competitor. I’m being groomed to switch over to the other side. Who knows, only the future can tell.

When starting off as an entrepreneur, what were your top two challenges that you needed to overcome? 

The first hurdle was Cake, the fact that I had none, LOL. And when I say cake, of course I mean money. You know, cheddar, cheese, etc. The second was fear. I had to overcome fear and doubt, especially considering the people I allowed myself to be surrounded with back then. 

What did it teach you about yourself? 

I just love your questions. And I hope someone can truly benefit from our dialogue. Let’s just say, I will remain as real as possible, because it’s the only way my responses can really help. We as people doubt a bit more than we’d like to believe we do. I suggest, because I saw this in myself, entrepreneurs might want to be sure they have a good support network before taking on major challenges in life, business, career, education, or otherwise. Quite simply put, fear can be debilitating if you do not have the tools to overcome it. Imagine doubters in your ear 24/7. My secret was to jack into my headphones or earbuds to drown out the voices of doubt. And I don’t mean just the people that were around me back then. Or at least not them alone. I meant to drown out my own voice in my own head telling me I can’t do it, or that I’m wasting my time and should get a ‘real’ job, amplifying what I heard nearly every day, several times a day. All the greats went through that, but they learned how to believe in themselves, to have faith, keep at it, and they eventually achieved it. That brings to mind a book I’m working on called “Divine Gifts Theory”, where I challenge Gladwell’s 1800 Hour Rule. I found it took me sometimes twice that or in some instances, three times the typical 1800 hours of beating on my craft, to see any of the fruit of my labor. Then I learned it wasn’t just me, that it was happening all over the world. Maybe during our next interview, I will share those details, once they have manifested and materialized.

Olivia, you are an advocate of more women joining the ranks of power. Women have made respectable progress over the past three decades. How can more women take advantage of the present reality to embrace power and contribute to a better world? 

You know with my having predicted as far back as March of this year, that Biden would surely choose a woman and has apparently now chosen Kamala Harris as his running mate, now that she’s the nominee - long after Elizabeth Warren having dropped out of the race, a time as recent as March when I was being laughed at, for merely the title of my book with most men asking me if I thought it a bit ambitious to choose such a title, it’s amazing that Pamelya Herndon , CEO of the KWH Law Center in Albuquerque New Mexico, just had this conversation while discussing the 100 Years Celebration - Centennial Online Event Honoring Women’s Right to Vote. We discussed City Councilors Diane Gibson, and others, along with Trudy Jones regarding Social Justice and Change. My book was featured in that its focus is on the Future of Women 2020 and Beyond. We invited community members to tune into the 100 Years Virtual Celebration Honoring Women’s Right to Vote on Wednesday, August 26th, where the event aired live on Wednesday, August 26, 2020 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM on GOV TV – Comcast channel 16, I still have the YouTube and Facebook link for those interested in taking a peek.

Yet to answer your question more directly, women can only take advantage of the present toward embracing power if we stick together! In short, more women supporting women, as opposed to competing for the attention of men and positions we should all occupy, in just as great an abundance as men. AKA’s, and Delta’s have this already figured out. Zeta’s are more my speed although I’m already a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity as a Law Student. I personally prefer co-ed fraternities and am okay with that. However, I do see the importance of sororities. After all, it’s sister supporting sister. 

In my book, Year of the Woman 2020 and Beyond, I reference Elizabeth Warren in her run for President of the United States and the women who failed to support her on her own turf. I also mentioned this on a major nationally syndicated radio station in Boston, in fact it was with Mike Mullaney over at WWBX-FM in Boston MA back in March of this year, 2020. I remember this because it’s when I placed my book out there for pre-order at my website, www.TrueSuccessCoaching.com. 

I guess I sort of called women out there, yet I was simply making my point that women simply do not stick together. Yet in reality, I get it. Many women just weren’t finding Warren very likable and some called her selfish, not seeming as if she would be a woman to back up other women if it came down to that. I reference a study listed in a New York Post article Bias Persists for Women of Science, a Study Finds that 9 out of 10 people are biased against women. Yes, of course that means both men and women. We have to steer clear of this in order to find our center of power.

I remain neutral in that I may not like her, yet I have always believed that a woman that’s liked by too many people in politics, may be attempting to appease every one as opposed to sticking to her guns and making things happen for her constituents and helping other women, as well as those in need, if you know what I mean. Not to be influenced by those in a position to manipulate to support their own agenda, at the expense of the people, at the hands of likable, but manipulable politicians. I enjoyed that interview since they asked if I believed it was time for women to lead. It was also referenced that while Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren had already dropped out of the Presidential race, if I believed we were still beginning to see a shift to women in positions of power? I responded the same way as I did back in February, it is most definitely our time!

You are a priceless source to those seeking counsel, coaching and companionship. Who are the people who uplift you on days when you're seeking clarity with personal and professional matters? 

Outside of my higher power which is on call 24/7/365, I have a muse that helps me with all creative tasks, either in spirit or in person. This is a must in my life in order to get major things done. It’s one of the main staples in my support network for creative or massive endeavors. 

Where does your strength emanate from? 

My strength comes from fostering a strong belief in myself that few may possess if they do not truly believe in a higher power. I realize that where I may drop off as well as others, I can pick back up due to my faith in a higher power. I know that where I may not be able to do something on my own, through my higher power, I am unstoppable! I must also give credit to life experience and the decades I wasted helping others to greatness. From politicians to finances and spouses in their businesses and campaigns to spiritual endeavors, rarely receiving what was promised and in some instances, what was agreed to, in writing. I was used to simply walking away but noticed my life changed drastically toward the better, when I finally began standing up for myself. Of course, this always came with a fight. I may not have always won, yet have won most. I kind of feel like I was temporarily transported to a fight club scene there for a moment considering how bad I have been beaten up in business before lol. I used to say it’s not always about winning, and that for me it’s more so about doing my best and not backing down, depending on the fight, and whether it's winnable or not. Now I say something similar, by adding that I will fight if I believe what I aim to gain is worth the fight!

Credit: Divorce Superpowers for Women

You've also authored Divorce Superpowers for Women, a book for women to learn how to protect themselves through a divorce. What events inspired you to compose a book which serves as a valuable guide for those transitioning out of their relationships? Writing on such a topic can stir all sorts of emotions. How would you describe your writing experience? 

Thanks so much for keeping it real. Yes, it was remembering my divorce of ages ago where I did not do what I should have in being just as fierce as the system that was in place at the time, in realizing just how hard I’ve had to work to get anywhere near the level of wealth I had then. Yet then again, you’re absolutely right - Emotions says it all LOL. However, when I write I do so from a different perspective. I think of women that have either been through a divorce and weren’t prepared for it, or did not fair, as well as their ex-husbands did, after the divorce. You know what I mean? 

Left to raise their kids alone after they both committed to it, while the ex runs off usually with a mistress, wining and dining her while we sit at home doing all the work, with barely a few minutes in the bathroom throughout the day for running a smooth household looking out for the kids at every turn. While we clearly love it, it seems unfair that we cannot take a quick vacation or get wined and dined like the mistress, after all we gave and did for the household as well as the (most ungrateful) previous hubby. So sure, it was tough writing the initial outline for the book. I wanted to find a way to be clear in communicating that the book was not intended to serve as a guide by any means. 

It’s more so a book offering moral support for those going through it, and for those who think they may have to or are not sure, and how they may protect themselves in a practical sense. Simple concepts such as a “separate account he or she does not know about.” (Credit to the originator of that phrase). It’s tough yet now I am as resilient as they come and can understand just about any angle a woman may be coming from. That being said, we have a support group we are growing as well, to offer support for those currently going through it or that are in recovery. There are many pointers and suggestions in the book that can surely help. The kicker is, I also plan to write a book for men in a similar fashion. This is the true essence of equality, in that there are some women out there learning to navigate the game better than men, but that is going overboard. Or rather, those women are reckless, and families are also suffering because of it, and last time I checked, two wrongs still did not make a right.

What would your guidance be for individuals that are hesitant to claim their second chance at nurturing personal relationships? 

For some, it may even be a third, a fourth, a fifth, or even a sixth chance. I say go for it, keeping in mind lessons learned as to not repeat them. We all need companionship to some degree and should always desire to foster personal relationships. It’s a part of life, and if left out can make for an odd stay on this planet.

It takes vulnerability and a pinch of faith to welcome new people into our personal time and space. What is your philosophy on relationships in general? 

I find that personal relationships can have a different dynamic based upon the parties involved as well as the location, outside influences, finances, education, and so many other factors. My philosophy is to keep your relationship to yourself for a spell at the onset, to give it a test-drive on a trial basis in the beginning. Such times shall never come again in any given relationship, so make good use of the time. That way if only a close friend or two know it’s happening, if it doesn’t work out or last, no big deal. In my opinion, it seems that outside influences can dampen the time dedicated to nurturing a new personal relationship, to a degree where it can stand on its own in a crowd, among friends, family, and even co-workers. The boundaries you set should be well adjusted to your comfort level, not theirs. And your boundaries should be clearly communicated, in the beginning. This is a great start, as the people involved get to know one another. As for an overall view of relationships assuming they are established and not brand new, I believe a good relationship is like water or air, we need it! Or it’s akin to the air we breathe, as was said to me in a previous relationship. When you meet that special someone, it can be so beautiful and is something we should all strive for. Yet in reality, it should also be seen as a partnership whereas one has the others’ back, especially when times get tough. Relationships take work and will not always be easy. I have the philosophy that a woman should always seek her equal at best. I believe it will save the couple so much heartache. Anything less that one’s equal would be akin to walking up hill, backward. Find him (or her), and life will surely feel more complete, and can provide an environment filled with support, understanding, freedom, to grow and fly, to soar above the clouds without feeling guilty or overly ambitious.Having one’s equal means to be of kindred spirit, not just finances. Even temperaments are also a great idea. These days, someone you can trust, truly trust - is also key.

What is the toughest decision you've had to make in your professional career and why? 

The toughest decision I’ve had to make in my professional career wasn’t actually related to operations or processes. I had to decide if I wanted to remain on board when a partner demanded sitting in to administer contracts, yet failed to tell me they could not handle it and had lost all of them one by one. I practically stayed up day and night for months to turn the company around while my partner slept overnight. One of us had to be on our toes, and since I was the Chief Technology Officer, Contract Recruiter, HR person, Website Developer given that we could not afford contractors – it was a tough decision to leave after contracts had lapsed due to my partners negligence. 

How did you go about executing that decision? 

I slept on it and knew upon awakening I needed to cut my losses and move on. I simply put things in place and made it happen. The company went down when I left, yet I did what I had to do with my interests in the company and moved on. If you remember my reference to doing so much for others and leaving with a deficit or with the very short end of the stick, it’s themes like these that caused me to write the Divorce Superpowers book. I decided that if I could save other women from what I encountered time and time again, that the book would be worth the labor, albeit, a labor of love, care, and concern for others, left at a grave disadvantage.

Mental wellness is a state of mind. How do you practice mental and emotional wellness in your life? 

That’s a wonderful question, I meditate and pray. I make sure I include tons of visualization. It works for me with action and execution of plans I set in place of course. 

How can others start taking better care of their mind and body? 

In such times as these during the Covid-19 pandemic, with all the uncertainty and chaos even still today, relaxation and keeping on top of important tasks will help tons. Breathing exercises, stretching, and just a bit of quiet time. During an interview on the Tim Ridley Show out of Tennessee featured on SiriusXM Radio Channel 146, I remember Tim asking me about Covid-19 and how it’s affecting me at home and what advice might I have for moms, it was near Mother’s day this year. I responded with a similar response in that sometime, we can only grab a bathroom break during the day. So I suggested nap time for the kids everyday so that mom can get a break too! Also, if having an older child that can watch the younger siblings, a schedule to allow this is also a plus. Yet in general, earbuds were safe, nice relaxing music, and having a point in time throughout the home where the news should be simply turned off altogether for at least an hour or two. It’s great to remain aware of current events and breaking news in such crazy times by way of the news, yet it’s not okay to become inundated – not for any member of the family. Nik Rajkovic, a reporter at KTRH Houston later asked me to share some ideas for Mother’s Day, during the pandemic, a good snapshot of just how chaotic this year has been, with not being able to hug an elder family member, especially mothers on Mother’s day. Yet this too shall pass. Hopefully next Mother’s Day will be a bit closer to normal, as we remember it.

Please share with audiences how they can support your work. 

Gladly, and what a great interview too. Well, many know I’m a business consultant where many connect with me through my success coaching website. Listeners and viewers in general may feel free to support my work by visiting my LinkedIn page and connecting with me, to stay on top of what moves I will be making next that will help the masses, by sharing of my life’s successes, yet also some of my greatest lessons learned in life, business, and relationships.

They may also support my work by visiting https://www.TrueSuccessCoaching.com and signing up for the newsletter to remain informed. Any books I have written will be there as well on the same landing page. We have contests for cool prizes, and offer many perks for signing up. And for those not yet aware, my most recent book after the books featured at http://www.DivorceSuperPowers.com is Year of the Woman 2020 and Beyond and is available on Amazon via pre-order right now. It would help to grab a couple books or to loan it to a friend. Both books are full of tools and resources to make you think in ways that will leave you with the desire for a better future for you and yours.