Episodes

  • Today I welcome Angela Burgess, founder of Broad Oaks Consulting, a business combining her passions to support nonprofits and donors.

    Angela shares her journey from a finance background to working with nonprofits, aiming to align her work with her values. She details her transition sparked by a challenging period in her life, which led her to pursue impactful work with Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

    Angela discusses her entrepreneurial path, the creation of Broad Oaks in 2018, and the services provided to help nonprofits grow sustainably. She talks about the importance of clarity in messaging, donor experiences, and the impact of marketing for nonprofits.

    Angela also tells me about her book 'Are You on the Right Bus?' and offers advice to leaders and difference-makers on staying the course through challenges for greater impact.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 4: Aligning Career with Core Values

    Minute 11: Founding Broad Oaks Consulting

    Minute 20: Writing and Publishing a Book

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

  • Achieving peak productivity isn't just about managing time and prioritizing tasks; it often starts with the right mindset. Many people struggle to reach their full potential because they are held back by limiting beliefs, self-doubt, and negative thinking.

    Lewis Howes’ book, The Greatness Mindset offers us some great wisdom on how to cultivate a mindset that propels us forward, instead of holding us back.

    Embrace failure as a learning opportunity by reflecting daily on what you learned or what fear you conquered.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. Linkedin. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Looking for a daily planner that will help you live intentionally in your strengths? Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ — the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner and companion guide to CliftonStrengths®.

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  • Joya Dass, a renowned news anchor and public speaking coach speaks to me today about her career journey, her approach to empowering female leaders, and the importance of confidence and mindset.

    Joya shares her personal story of overcoming challenges to become a news anchor and how she now helps women prepare for significant public speaking engagements like TED Talks.

    Our conversation covers the impact of mindset work, the importance of personal storytelling, and the unique aspects of Joya's year-long mastermind program that includes strategy intensives in exotic locations.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 8: Breaking into Business News

    Minute 17: Mastermind Program and Personal Branding

    Minute 24: Common Mistakes in Personal Branding

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose. The Strengths Journal™ is the first and only Gallup-certified daily planner that helps you actively use your strengths to dominate each day and ultimately– transform your life.

  • Do you feel like your task list is long and your stress levels high? I think a lot about working moms, who are out there serving their families, their children, while also working and never taking a break.

    In my coaching, I talk to a lot of these women, and it can feel hard for them to say no. Consider this question based on Greg McKeown’s work, Essentialism: what is essential in your life? Knowing this can help you know how to say no to activities that ultimately don’t serve you, your work, or your families.

    Take this action step today: Based on McKeown’s book, first, make a list of your current commitments and activities, then evaluate each one to determine its true importance in your life. This is where you identify your priorities. Using your CliftonStrengths can help you navigate this process. For example, if you have the Strategic strength like I do, you can look at the big picture and spot patterns to identify your priorities. After making your list, eliminate non-essential activities by removing or delegating those that don't contribute significantly to your values.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Looking for a daily planner that will help you live intentionally in your strengths? Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ — the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner and companion guide to CliftonStrengths®.

  • Patti B. Johnson the former CEO of PeopleResults is my guest today. Patti talks to me about her inspiring journey from small-town Oklahoma to corporate leadership and entrepreneurship.

    She shares insights from her career, including her time at Accenture, starting and growing her own business, and the subsequent acquisition of that business. She discusses her book 'Make Waves', which focuses on leading change and the importance of mindset, determination, and adaptability in both personal and professional life.

    This episode offers practical advice on change management, strategic planning, and balancing ambition with personal life. Please listen if you are looking to navigate and lead through change.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 3: Strengths and Starting a Business

    Minute 13: Lessons and Leading Change

    Minute 22: Building and Selling a Business

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

  • Do you treat your time like money?

    Time is a lot like money. It is a valuable, finite resource for most of us. But do we spend just as much time budgeting our time as we budget our money?

    This is a concept I learned from Elizabeth Grace Saunders’ book, How to Invest Your Time Like Money. Saunders draws parallels between time and financial resources, emphasizing the need for strategic time investment to yield the highest returns.

    To find out more about work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Looking for a daily planner that will help you live intentionally in your strengths? Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ — the only Gallup-certified, purpose-driven daily planner and companion guide to CliftonStrengths®.

  • We’re celebrating our 200th episode of the Dominate Your Day podcast! We’re so grateful for the amazing guests who have shared their stories and wisdom with us.

    My special guest today is Eva Daniel, the founder of The Speak Shop.

    Eva shares her journey from working at Focus on the Family and as a speechwriter for Dave Ramsey, to starting her own business. We discuss the vibrant entrepreneurial scene in Nashville, the challenges and rewards of transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship, and strategies for effective public speaking.

    Eva also shares valuable tips on leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding and content creation. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to improve your public speaking skills, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 6: Challenges and Triumphs of Entrepreneurship

    Minute 17: Mastering LinkedIn for Business Growth

    Minute 21: Crafting Compelling Speeches

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

  • On today's episode I welcome Dr. Ruth Gotian, the Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor at Weill Cornell Medicine.

    Fresh from the Olympics in Paris, Dr. Gotian shares her experiences studying high achievers like Nobel Prize winners, astronauts, NBA champions, and Olympians. She discusses the palpable energy at the Olympic Games, the importance of preparation and behind-the-scenes work, and the critical significance of rest for high achievers.

    Dr. Gotian further delves into her unconventional career path, her focus on what makes people stay in challenging programs rather than why they leave, and the importance of having mentors. She highlights the profound value of mentorship, showcasing her book 'Financial Times Guide to Mentoring,' co-authored with Andy Lopata.

    The discussion includes practical advice on starting conversations with potential mentors and creating effective mentoring programs within organizations. Dr. Gotian also offers resources for listeners to enhance their understanding and application of mentorship and success mindsets.

    Episode Miutes:

    Minute 4: The Importance of Rest and Recovery

    Minute 6: Dr. Ruth's Career Journey

    Minute 12: The Power of Mentorship

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

  • Today, we’re diving into how to prioritize wellbeing while building your personal brand. Burnout and wellbeing are significant concerns in the workplace today. After COVID-19, it's reported that 7 out of 10 people were not thriving.

    Extensive research by Gallup highlights that wellbeing is a multifaceted concept encompassing five crucial areas: career wellbeing, social wellbeing, financial wellbeing, physical wellbeing, and community wellbeing.

    Let’s look at author Vivian Tu for an example of the impact that focusing on these key areas of wellbeing can have on your life and career. After a significant career transition, Vivian authored the book Rich AF, which reflects her financial acumen and underscores the importance of financial wellbeing. By managing her economic life effectively, she reduced stress and enhanced her sense of security.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    No more leaving your CliftonStrengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day! Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™.

  • Today I welcome Traci McCausland, a CliftonStrengths coach, cancer survivor, mother, speaker, and soon-to-be author.

    Traci shares her journey from receiving her initial breast cancer diagnosis seven years ago to her current work helping others through the CliftonStrengths framework. She discusses how she used her strengths and the support of her family and a skilled medical team to navigate her treatment, as well as how she has been inspired to write a book to guide cancer patients in utilizing their own strengths.

    Traci emphasizes the importance of supportive relationships, including the roles played by her husband, mother, and sister. She also highlights how identifying and understanding the strengths of those around her, including her medical team, contributed to her journey. With profound insights, Traci's story offers valuable lessons on resilience, community, and leveraging personal strengths in adversity.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 3: Applying Strengths to Overcome Challenges

    Minute 8: Incorporating Strengths in Cancer Survival

    Minute 10: Writing The Book: Inspiration and Process

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day

  • A strong mindset serves as the foundation on which your branding efforts are built, impacting how you present yourself, how you engage with others, and ultimately how successful you are in establishing your brand.

    Many individuals overlook the importance of mindset in personal branding because they tend to focus on immediate tangible tasks such as enhancing their online presence or networking. This oversight occurs as people underestimate the long-term benefits a strong mindset can provide. Cultivating a winning mindset often involves introspection and self-improvement, which can be uncomfortable and require sustained effort. It’s much harder to work on ourselves on the inside than on things on the outside.

    Cynt Marshall, the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and the first black female CEO in the history of the National Basketball Association, has faced many challenges throughout her career with resilience and determination. She overcame significant barriers — such as breaking the glass ceiling in a predominantly male industry — by demonstrating her leadership abilities, advocating for diversity, and building strong networks of support.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    No more leaving your CliftonStrengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day! Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™.

  • My guest today is Sally Magee, an accredited CliftonStrengths-based coach who specializes in sobriety coaching.

    Sally shares her journey from strengths coaching to creating a unique approach that combines CliftonStrengths with sobriety support. She discusses her personal experiences during COVID-19, the challenges of quitting alcohol, and how she used her own strengths to overcome addiction.

    Sally also explains the science behind alcohol's effects on the brain and body, provides advice for those considering sobriety, and highlights the importance of accountability and support groups. She introduces her coaching programs for individuals looking to explore sobriety and make transformative life changes.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 2: Impact of COVID on Alcohol Consumption

    Minute 10: The Role of Strengths in Sobriety

    Minute 24: Sober Curious Movement

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day

  • Engagement is a critical aspect of personal branding that many overlook. A 2024 LinkedIn survey found that professionals who actively engage with their network—whether at work or in their social networks—see a 40% increase in opportunities.

    But it’s not just about visibility, but about meaningful interactions. Reflect on the interactions you are having right now. Are they meaningful, or are you just going through the motions? Many professionals struggle with building genuine engagement due to the overwhelming volume of connections and messages, especially in digital spaces like LinkedIn. To forge meaningful connections, focus on being human, authentic, and present in your interactions.

    To illustrate effective engagement, let’s look at Dr. Ruth Gotian. Dr. Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Assistant Professor of Education in Anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has built a remarkable reputation by mentoring and coaching emerging leaders and high achievers. Her approach to professional engagement is distinguished by her dedication to fostering authentic connections. Dr. Gotian leverages multiple platforms, including social media, academic publications, and public speaking engagements, to share her insights on leadership and career advancement.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    No more leaving your CliftonStrengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day! Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™.

  • My special guest Fanny Dunagan, a renowned LinkedIn expert and CEO and Content Strategist at Pathlynks LLC.

    Fanny shares her inspiring journey of reinvention from a civil engineer to a business consultant, and eventually, a successful entrepreneur specializing in LinkedIn marketing for tech companies.

    She emphasizes the importance of leveraging personal strengths, building a personal brand, and utilizing LinkedIn as a powerful tool for professional growth and connection. Fanny also provides actionable tips for creating engaging content on LinkedIn and stresses the significance of authenticity in today’s digital age.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 9: Building Pathlynks and Finding Confidence

    Minute 14: Niche Marketing and Strengths

    Minute 17: LinkedIn Strategies and Personal Branding

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

  • Did you know that according to a 2024 study by Harvard Business Review that individuals who actively manage their personal brands reported a 30% increase in productivity?

    Building your brand isn't just about visibility. It's about optimizing your work and achieving more. The problem is that most people do not know how to optimize their work.

    So for a boost of inspiration today, let’s look at Marie Kondo, the renowned organizational consultant famous for her KonMari method of decluttering.

    Marie Kondo's career is a testament to the power of a well-managed personal brand. Her authenticity, consistency, and innovative approach have created a global movement that continues to inspire.

    Until next time, keep sparking joy in your life and work!

    Want help developing your own personal brand? Join my new Personal Strengths Brand Workshop! Spots are limited to 15 participants, and registration closes soon. Get all the details here.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email [email protected]

    No more leaving your CliftonStrengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day! Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™.

  • My guest today is Julie Kaminski, a health and wellness coach with a rich background in athletics, counseling psychology, coaching, and personal training.

    Julie shares her journey from athlete to holistic coach, explaining her empowering tagline, 'Making Healthy Body, Happy Mind Easier.' We discuss the PERMA construct of positive psychology to define thriving and explore what gives individuals meaning and engagement in life.

    Julie also introduces her innovative Walking Book Club, combining physical activity with audiobooks to promote both physical and mental wellness. She highlights the success stories of clients who've integrated movement into their lives through her book club, leading to weight loss and improved well-being. Amid exciting ventures, like partnering with the Charleston Literary Festival and hosting Heart and Soul book chats, Julie reminds us that everyone deserves to thrive and the importance of self-care and small, impactful steps towards wellness

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 3: Understanding Thriving and PERMA

    Minute 5: Healthy Body, Happy Mind: Five Pillars

    Minute 17: Heart and Soul Book Chats and Philanthropy

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Email: [email protected]

    Grab your copy of The Strengths Journal™ the only Gallup-certified, daily planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

  • What can Taylor Swift teach us about personal branding? This month, we've been exploring the topic of self-improvement, and today, our spotlight is on personal branding—a key element in shaping our professional identity.

    So let’s explore how Taylor Swift’s own mastery over personal branding can teach us about building our own personal brands.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day. No more leaving your Strengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

  • My guest Lynn Tickner is founder of Ink and Key, a creative branding and marketing agency.

    Lynn shares her inspiring journey from being an elementary school teacher to starting her own business, driven by a passion for writing and branding.

    We talk about Lynn's use of strengths like empathy and individualization to connect deeply with her clients and create effective, personalized brand solutions.

    Lynn also talks about the importance of having a flexible brand name and how AI can be a valuable tool in the creative process. Additionally, she emphasizes the power of dream big and taking action despite imperfections.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 5: Building a Successful Branding Business

    Minute 9: Leveraging Strengths in Business

    Minute 29: The Power of Dreams

    To find out more about my work please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.

  • How can we develop resilient, growth-oriented mindsets?

    This month, we've been exploring the theme of self-development. Today, our focus shifts to mindset. I’m particularly inspired by Edith Eger, a Holocaust survivor, speaker, and author of The Gift: 14 Lessons to Save Your Life.

    In the book, Dr. Eger says that the worst prison she experienced wasn’t the concentration camp, but the prison she created in her mind. Wow. Dr. Eger's profound insights remind us that regardless of our circumstances, our mindset holds the key to resilience, healing, and fulfillment.

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Get your copy of The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day. No more leaving your Strengths Assessment in your desk drawer. Now you can use The Strengths Journal™ to channel your unique strengths and dominate your every day!

  • Today I welcome Sha Sparks, a fearless communicator, CEO of Sparks of Fire International, and author of 'How to Get Your Voice Back.'

    Sha tells me about her journey from an abusive relationship to becoming a certified fearless living coach. Through candid discussions on her transformative journey, She talks about the importance of internal healing, discovering self-worth, and overcoming fear.

    We cover the role of vulnerability, journaling, and mindset shifts in personal growth and also dive into the CliftonStrengths assessment, the impact of childhood experiences on adult decisions, and strategies to help leaders, including military personnel, during transitions.

    Listen to hear how Shea's impactful work encourages others to face their fears and step out of their comfort zones.

    Episode Minutes:

    Minute 2: Discovering the Healing Process

    Minute 9: Exploring Strengths and Talents

    Minute 32: Breaking Through Fear

    To find out more about my work, please visit Dana Williams Consulting. LinkedIn. Instagram.

    Journal your way to a life with purpose The Strengths Journal™ is the only Gallup-certified planner that guides you to live in your strengths every day.