Coffee and Contemplation with Susan Dunlop

In this enlightening episode of the "Coffee and Contemplation" podcast, host Susan Dunlop sits down with Debbie Bailey, a renowned transformational leader and consultant partner at Four Day Week Global. With over 25 years of experience in changing the landscape of work in government, community development, and mental health sectors, Debbie shares invaluable insights into the powerful model of the Four Day Week. Dive deep into the conversation as Susan and Debbie unravel how this innovative approach is not just about working less, but working smarter. Discover the profound impacts of reduced work hours on productivity, employee well-being, and organisational success. From overcoming traditional work challenges to cultivating a mindset shift that promotes greater empowerment and engagement, you'll learn the key factors determining an organisation’s readiness for this groundbreaking change. Whether you're a leader seeking to transform your workplace or someone curious about the future of work, this episode offers practical takeaways, real-world examples, and substantial inspiration for anyone considering the Four Day Week model. Tune in and get ready to rethink work as you know it. If you'd like to speak with Debbie about the Four Day Week, contact us, and we will pass on your details. Email: [email protected] www.susandunlop.com.au #fourdayweek #fourdayweekglobal #innovativeorganisations #organisationalchange #mindsetshift

In these five minutes of SoundBites from Episode 80 of Coffee and Contemplation, Debbie Bailey, Consultant Partner at 4 Day Week Global, discusses the implementation of a four-day work week in a nonprofit organisation and explores the challenges and benefits it brings. Bailey shares her extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, detailing the steps she took to propose and test the four-day week initiative. She highlights issues such as staff attraction, retention, and burnout in the mental health sector and how the reduced work week positively impacted these areas. The episode also addresses common misconceptions about the four-day work week, emphasising the importance of innovation, communication, and trust in making such changes successful. Real-world examples, including a U.S. police service, are cited to demonstrate the feasibility of the four-day week in client-facing roles.   00:00 Introduction to Non-Profit Challenges 00:19 Implementing the Four-Day Work Week 01:23 Early Results and Staff Feedback 01:42 Innovative Approaches in Healthcare 03:05 Misconceptions About the Four-Day Week 03:36 Real-World Success Stories 04:16 Motivating Organizational Change The full Episode of my conversation with Debbie Bailey will follow later today! #fourdayweek #fourdayweekglobal #innovativebusiness #organisationalchange

Episode 79 of Coffee and Contemplation with Susan Dunlop hosted guest Vicki Paris Goodman, an acclaimed author and former mechanical engineer who has transformed her personal grief into a powerful message of hope and optimism. Her book, 'To Sam, With Love: A Surviving Spouse's Story of Inspired Grief', chronicles her journey since the death of her beloved husband, Sam, and the unexpected positivity and guidance she received during her mourning. With a background in journalism and a passion for music, Vicki now resides in Prescott, Arizona, where she continues to write and inspire others. I have experienced grief in my own life, as have many close friends and family members. We also had the pleasure of hearing from Victoria Wilson-Crane, author of Sixteen Days, in an earlier podcast episode. Please note that the thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives shared by every guest, including Vicki's in this episode, reflect their personal journey. For Vicki, that journey is one of grief and healing. This conversation offers an interesting point of view that may or may not resonate with others who are walking their path forward after the passing of a loved one. Thus, I felt it would be respectful to state this, given each individual’s unique journey and circumstances. Please listen if you wish, if it might help you, and we hope you find value in the discussion. Vicki is currently working on her second book, Speed Bumps and Other Impediments to Life in the Fast Lane, which offers a humorous yet insightful look at life's trials from the perspective of a type A personality.

Join me this week on 'Coffee and Contemplation with Susan Dunlop' talking with guest, Brinn Langdale, LMFT. Brinn is a licensed holistic psychotherapist, coach, leadership mentor, and soon-to-be author who lives in North Carolina.Brinn refers to the way she operated in her teen years as being 'the poster child for trauma'. In her college years, prompted by a loved one, she dove in deep to make positive and lasting changes in her life.After experiencing an 8-day leadership program, Brinn has gone on to develop a practice as a licensed wholistic psychotherapist and coach, and is a voluntary leadership mentor with the same organisation she found helped her so much.Today's conversation is about professional empowerment and how her techniques, like EFT tapping and parts work, can be utilised for personal and leadership development.Brinn makes the concept of the inner child and inner critic and their roles in the imposter syndrome interesting and easy to see! She also shares practical self-development and self-care tools to enhance resilience, leadership, and mental wellness. This conversation is packed with actionable insights, perfect for leaders looking to address imposter syndrome.The transcript will be up on my blog later in the week at: https://www.susandunlop.com.au/blogCheck out her Parts Work Project: A Workshop Series at ⁠https://brinnlangdale.myflodesk.com/partswork#traumahealing #leadershipdevelopment #partswork #innerchild #innercritic #impostersyndrome #mentalwellness

These soundbites will capture your attention! A short trailer for the upcoming episode 78. Join host Susan Dunlop this week on 'Coffee and Contemplation' as she dives deep with Brinn Langdale from North Carolina. Brinn is a licensed wholistic psychotherapist, coach, leadership mentor, and soon-to-be author. Brinn refers to the way she operated in her teen years as being 'the poster child for trauma'. In her college years, prompted by a loved one, she dove in deep to make positive and lasting changes in her life. After experiencing a leadership program, Brinn has gone on to become a licensed psychotherapist, coach, and voluntary leadership mentor with the same organisation she found helped her so much. Today's conversation is about professional empowerment and how her techniques, like EFT tapping and parts work, can be utilised for personal and leadership development. In this episode, Brinn makes the concept of the inner child and inner critic and their roles in the imposter syndrome interesting and easy to see! Brinn shares practical self-development and self-care tools to enhance resilience, leadership, and mental wellness. Perfect for leaders looking to address imposter syndrome. This conversation is packed with actionable insights. Brinn’s contact details are Website: https://www.brinnlangdale.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinnlangdale Check out her Parts Work Project: A Workshop Series at https://brinnlangdale.myflodesk.com/partswork

In this insightful episode, Shate Hayes, Founder and CEO of Career Steward Inc., in Atlanta, discusses the shifting mindset surrounding career fulfillment. We discuss how people today are more mindful and intentional about their professional lives, seeking satisfaction and purpose rather than just holding a job for its own sake. Shate shares her observations on this evolving trend and its impact on individuals and organisations. As promised, I am including Shate's Bio here: Shaté Hayes is the Founder and CEO of Career Steward Inc., a company dedicated to helping professionals find fulfilment and purpose in their careers. With a BA in Psychology from Spelman College and an MFA in Dance, Shaté began as a professional dancer and choreographer, performing extensively across the U.S. and China. Her transition into the corporate world saw her lead high-performing career programs teams and global Employee Resource Groups. She is the author of several books and numerous career and business articles, and she founded The Working Dancer before establishing Career Steward. Shaté is passionate about supporting professionals through career transitions and fostering environments where people feel valued and empowered. At the end of our conversation, Shate kindly offers access to⁠ lightmycareermatch.com,⁠ where you'll find Shate's Career or Business Match Guide and all her career insight and inspiration stories. The transcript from today's conversation will be published on my blog at www.susandunlop.com.au/blog this week, and it includes some illuminating facts and statistics I found in my preparation for this conversation with Shate that shed light on the current state of career fulfilment. Please tune in to understand how the work landscape changes and what it means to find satisfaction in your career. Don't miss this episode if you want to gain valuable insights into career fulfilment and how to navigate the modern job market with a purpose-driven approach.

In this soundbites trailer to our full Episode 77, Shate Hayes, founder and CEO of Career Steward Inc, shares her insights on how the mindset towards career fulfilment has shifted significantly. She discusses how people today are more mindful of their professional lives, emphasising the importance of finding fulfilment and purpose in their careers rather than just having a job for the sake of it. Please tune in to explore the evolving landscape of work and what it means to find satisfaction in your career.

Welcome back to the final episode of our four-part mini series on the Transformative Power of TED* and the 3 Vital Questions! I'm Susan Dunlop, and I'm so happy to have the opportunity to chat again with Sheri Lawrence. In this episode, we will reflect on our key Insights from the four-part series and also look at “what could possibly go wrong” with bringing TED* and 3VQ into an organisation, or, to put it simply, Advice for the Sceptics. The idea of scepticism made me wonder what the common reservations and concerns are about implementing such a culture change in organisational settings. Whether you're a leader contemplating TED* for the first time or someone looking to deepen your understanding of how TED* can evolve within your organisation, this episode is for you. We’ll explore practical advice for replacing scepticism with a focus on inspired outcomes, adapting TED* to diverse contexts, and what the future holds for learning and development. So, let’s uncover how TED* can continue making a meaningful impact! All we need to do is start! I stated in the podcast that I would share the links to Forbes', Gallup and Harvard Business Review articles we mention in the episode. These can be found in my blog at www.susandunlop.com.au/blog Book Reference: The Power of TED* and The 3 Vital Questions, books by David Emerald, provide an in-depth look at the TED* framework and address common concerns through case studies and practical advice. In summary, TED* and 3VQ provide a practical, vision-driven approach to closing the gap between current performance and desired outcomes. By focusing on incremental progress, outcome-oriented planning, and maintaining a clear vision, these frameworks help businesses achieve their goals with less stress and greater efficiency. If you're interested in exploring how TED* and 3VQ can benefit your organisation, feel free to reach out for more information on implementing these powerful tools. I am one of the licensed facilitators delivering TED* and 3VQ. I am in Australia and work face-to-face or virtually, anywhere that makes good sense for time-zones and business hours. There are over 100 certified 3VQ trainers worldwide available to support you. I can put you in contact with those or please check out the Center for the Empowerment Dynamic website. Note if you’d like to purchase any of the online courses – message me as we trainers can secure you great rates on those licensed seats. If you’re interested in reading or listening to the founders’ books – both David Emerald and Donna Zajonc’s awarding winning books are available on Amazon. Another good tip there is if you want to buy those books in bulk and are not in the USA, Amazon allowed us free shipping eg. to the 50 staff in Hong Kong that worked out most cost effective. Was there one key takeaway or insight you jotted down from this conversation today? If you have any questions from today’s episode or any part of the series, please send them to me via email at [email protected]. You can also message me on LinkedIn or Instagram, where I can be found simply as lead believe create.

This morning, I had the pleasure of chatting with Sheri Lawrence, VP of Learning and Development and Sales at Studio Movie Grill based in Dallas Texas. Sheri is one of the original champions of TED*, and these are the soundbites extracted from the full part four of our mini-series on the Transformative Power of TED*.  We reflected on the top insights we both took from the series and considered a few remaining questions regarding learning and development, culture and diversity. The episode wraps up with advice for sceptics.  Stay tuned for the full episode on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, and other major streaming platforms. Transcripts are available on my blog at www.susandunlop.com.au/blog Big thanks to Sheri for your valuable contribution to this project, and special gratitude to co-founders David Emerald Womeldorff and Donna Zajonc for your best-selling books and the development of this impactful work we get to deliver to the world through your Center for the Empowerment Dynamic programs.Sheri initially signed up for just one episode, but as we explored the Power of TED*, the series naturally expanded to four parts! Sheri's dedication to integrating TED* principles into her company shines through in the countless inspiring stories and lessons she shared. It was a privilege to have her on the show, and I could have easily continued our engaging conversations for much longer! Enjoy! Bye for now, Susan Dunlop 

Welcome to Part 3 of 4 of our series on the transformative power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) and the 3 Vital Questions. In this episode, we’ll dive into challenges and triumphs encountered while integrating TED* into an organisation’s culture, including executive resistance and transformation, and explore how it has shaped growth and development. We’ll also discuss the future of TED* and how it can continue to make a difference. I’m excited to welcome back Sheri Lawrence, Vice President of Learning and Development and Sales at Studio Movie Grill, who will share insights and stories from her journey, including what people resist, how she's navigated challenges, and imagines the future. If you are interested in bringing the Power of TED* and the 3 Vital Questions into your life or workplace, please reach out via email to: [email protected] or head to my website for more details: www.susandunlop.com.au

Welcome to Episode 3 of our series on the transformative power of TED* and the 3 Vital Questions. This is the trailer to Part 3 which will be published today. In this episode, we dive into the challenges and triumphs encountered while integrating TED* into an organisation’s culture and explore how it has shaped growth and development. We’ll also discuss the future of TED* and how it can continue to make a difference. I’m excited to welcome back Sheri Lawrence, who will share insights and stories from her journey, including overcoming resistance, navigating challenges, and imagining the future.

Welcome back to Part 2 of our podcast mini-series, Transformative Leadership with TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic). I’m your host, Susan, and today we're diving into The Power of TED* in Action: Stories of Transformation. I’m thrilled to have Sheri Lawrence with us once again. In this episode, we’ll explore how the 3VQ / TED* principles have been practically applied in Sheri’s work, transforming leadership and team dynamics. We’ll discuss specific examples of TED* in action and its impact on organizational culture. Perhaps one outcome will be that these insights inspire change in your own professional journey. To find out more about bringing TED* and 3VQ into your workplace or personal life, contact me: https://www.susandunlop.com.au #TEDleadership #sherilawrence #studiomoviegrill #leadershiptransformation #personaldevelopmentted #organisationalcultureted #professionalgrowthpodcast #leadershipcoaching #successstoriesinleadership

It was difficult to choose the soundbites from this week's conversation with Sheri Lawrence but I made it! We continue with Part 2 of our podcast mini-series, 'Transformative Leadership with TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic). This week we are diving into 'The Power of TED* in Action: Stories of Transformation'. One key message in all of this is that choosing to practice The Empowerment Dynamic and its supporting tools, alongside the 3 Vital Questions, is not only going to impact your professional life positively and your organisational and team outcomes, but it also ripples out to touch and improve your relationships, with your partner, your children, your friends. The full episode will be published today on Coffee & Contemplation with Susan Dunlop's podcast, available through Spotify, Apple, and my YouTube channel. The transcript from last week's podcast is now available on my blog at https://www.susandunlop.com.au. Next week's part 3 will be 'Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Horizons'

Welcome to the first episode of our mini-series, 'Transformative Leadership with TED*.' In this debut episode, we’re excited to feature Sheri Lawrence, the Vice President of Learning & Development and Sales at Studio Movie Grill. Join us for Sheri’s inspiring journey from the relocation industry to becoming a pivotal leader and champion of TED*. TED* is the creation of David Emerald, co-founder of The Center for The Empowerment Dynamic and best-selling author of The Power of TED* and The 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama. Sheri shares her unique path, highlighting how her experiences in sales and coaching led her to embrace TED* as a key tool for personal and professional development. Learn about the challenges she faced, her commitment to leadership transformation, and the powerful impact TED* has had on her career. Join us for an engaging conversation that sets the stage for understanding the transformative potential of TED* in leadership and organisational culture. To find out more about bringing TED* into your workplace or personal life, contact me: https://www.susandunlop.com.au #TEDleadership #stagenleadershipacademy #sherilawrence #studiomoviegrill #leadershiptransformation #personaldevelopmentted #organisationalcultureted #professionalgrowthpodcast #leadershipcoaching #successstoriesinleadership

I proudly introduce my collaboration with Sheri Lawrence, another Champion of TED*, as we co-create a mini-series on my Coffee & Contemplation with Susan podcast. In 2018, I discovered David Emerald's transformative book, The Power of TED*, and it resonated deeply with me. As a certified TED* facilitator, through my company, Lead Believe Create with Susan Dunlop, I am excited to offer this empowering work to leaders, teams, partners, parents, teens, and those impacted by trauma through various programs. From self-directed sessions to workshops and full organisational integration, the positive impact of TED* on people's lives and organisational outcomes is proven, as discussed in our upcoming episodes. Stay tuned for the full podcast series: Week 1: Your Path to TED* Week 2: The Power of TED* in Action Week 3: Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Horizons Week 4: Insights and Advice for Sceptics. Join Sheri and I on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube for this week's full episode release on August 15, and reach out to discuss your TED* journey through my website: www.susandunlop.com.au. Discover how this philosophy can benefit your life, family, and organisation – your future self will thank you. #thepowerofted #theempowermentdynamic #dreadeddramatriangle #davidemerald #EmpowermentDynamic

Join Susan as she explores pivotal moments in Lindsay Morgia's life that shaped her understanding of Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) and its impact on her professional life. From initial scepticism to validation through literature and professional experience, Lindsay talks candidly about her transformative journey from acceptance and healing to advocacy. She acknowledges that the emotional neglect and trauma in childhood informed her coping mechanisms, led to burnout and affected how she showed up in her professional life. Lindsay experienced this more as an inside-out way of operating, whilst the leaders and teams she worked with thought it was just Lindsay being a great hard-working team player and employee. Lindsay offers insights into navigating workplace dynamics, and outside of the workplace, what she sees as trauma-informed, and what is not. Discover Lindsay's insights on building resilience and the work she does now that fosters supportive, inclusive environments for mental health in the workplace. You can find Lindsay's work and blog at www.morgiaresearchservices.com or on LinkedIn.

In the upcoming episode of the Coffee and Contemplation with Susan Dunlop podcast, we'll be delving into the topic of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and its impact on workplace dynamics and mental health advocacy. My guest, Lindsay Morgia, founder of Morgia Research Services, is joining me from Boston, Massachusetts. Lindsay will bring her wealth of lived experience and professional experience in non-profit consulting and data analysis to shed light on this important subject. Early in May, I spotted a Blog on Facebook titled 'Flying Under the Radar with C-PTSD'. The article written by Lindsay shared that she struggles with C-PTSD symptoms every single day due to the emotional abuse and neglect she experienced as a child. However, she managed to fly under the radar in her professional life. She has two Master's degrees, over 15 years of experience as a data analyst for non-profits, and runs her own business. How did she fly under the radar? Because her symptoms and coping mechanisms fall under the "socially acceptable" end of the spectrum. It was that, and what came next, that caught my attention and led to me inviting Lindsay onto the show. Next, she shared her list of three coping mechanisms: 1: Self-sufficiency; 2: Perfectionism; 3: An extremely high bullshit tolerance. How interesting! Lindsay and I are preparing this week for our comfortable cups of coffee and contemplation to be broadcast in early June. You can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/susan-dunlopOR via YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@susandunlopcoaching1000#podcast #cptsdawareness #cptsdsurvivor #mentalhealthadvocacy #mentalhealthintheworkplace #perfectionism #cptsd #workplacedynamics #inclusiveness #psychosocial #childhoodtrauma #childhoodtraumarecovery

Today, we’re celebrating Episode 70. I’m recording it with my favourite person from Detroit, Teri Giannetti!   I met Teri as a fellow 3 Vital Questions certified facilitator in 2021. She has appeared on the podcast once before – Episode 58 in 2022. In that episode, Teri shared her personal journey and the challenges for the little girl she was who started school without English as a language. Because of how she was treated by the school system back in that decade, oh… a few decades ago now, Teri became a teacher and school principal, wanting to make every child feel that they can learn and that there is someone there for them. I reconnected with Teri late in 2023, and our conversation began with ‘you know Susan, anxiety can be diluted by acts of kindness. Followed up with ‘I wrote some letters’. Who to? Teri had reached out to US leaders like Warren Buffet and Barbara Streisand, asking for people like them to open the door for her to address the anxiety that is being experienced across America, concerned that the final straw people come to is suicide if anxiety is not addressed. It feels absolutely 100% the right week, month, and year for us to discuss Kindness with Teri. If you'd like to connect with Teri please contact me at [email protected] and I will pass on your details.

In this powerful episode, we delve into the depths of healing from abandonment trauma with the inspiring Sonja Renee from Atlanta, Georgia. Sonja Renee, a speaker and author of Abandonment Is Not Your Fault: Abandonment to Abundance, shares her courageous journey of self-discovery after learning about her adoption at 49 years of age. As she navigated through the layers of her past, Sonja Renee uncovered deep-seated abandonment trauma wounds and embarked on a transformative healing journey. Join us as Sonja Renee opens up about her personal experiences, including the types of relationships that contributed to her wounds and the strategies she found effective in breaking free from toxic patterns. From creating healthy boundaries to shifting focus onto self-love, Sonja Renee's story offers profound insights and invaluable lessons for anyone seeking healing from the wounds of abandonment. Sonja Renee's unwavering resilience and commitment to helping others live fulfilling lives shine through in this heartfelt conversation. You will find Sonja via this link and her memoir on Amazon.

Join us in this insightful episode of 'Coffee and Contemplation with Susan Dunlop' as we explore 'The Courage to Choose.' Our guest, Adeline Heng, shares her inspiring journey from victim to victor, revealing how she overcame overthinking and found the strength to make empowering decisions. Adeline opens up about her personal experiences, including facing adversity, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing conscious choices. Discover how to transform your life by focusing on solutions, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support. If you've ever struggled with the perils of overthinking or felt trapped by indecision, this episode offers valuable insights to help you find the courage to choose your own path and trust your judgment. Tune in for a powerful conversation that will inspire you to embrace change, take action, and live a more fulfilling life. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Adeline's wisdom and experience. Subscribe to our podcast and follow Susan Dunlop: Lead Believe Create on Facebook, Instagram and since January 2024, now on YouTube! Adeline can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathtopurpurpose/ Adeline also provided a link to a download: Unlock Your Emotional Freedom: https://adelineheng-2.simvoly.com/ #overcomeoverthinking #couragetochoose #empoweringdecisions #selfdoubt #conscious choices #mindfulness #adelinehenginterview #personaltransformation #victimtovictor #inspirationalstories

The first episode for 2024 is Dr Zarya Rubin, MD, of Portland Oregon. I believe our worlds collided for a good reason when I found Dr Zarya and asked if she'd like to join me as a guest on the show. Zarya is a Harvard-educated functional medicine physician, keynote speaker, and burnout expert. She helps passionate, high-achieving women get to the root cause of chronic symptoms and stress so that they can heal from the inside out and truly thrive.  Also founder and CEO of Dr. Zarya, a boutique functional medicine practice in Portland, Oregon.   Dr. Rubin studied neurology at McGill University and the renowned Neurological Institute at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She received her integrative nutrition training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, studying with Dr. Andrew Weil,  Dr. Mark Hyman, Dr. Deepak Chopra and other leading influencers in the world of holistic health, and went on to complete advanced Functional Medicine training at the School of Applied Functional Medicine. She lives in Portland, OR with her husband, 10-yr-old daughter, and Bichon miniature poodle puppy. When she is not speaking or seeing patients, she is singing with the Portland Symphonic Choir, on her yoga mat, or cooking up creative delights in her kitchen. I wondered why did she choose to do the work she delivers now? Because she’s been there... When chronic stress, anxiety and burnout caused her to leave medicine, she knew she needed to make some serious changes if she wanted to lead a fulfilling, authentic life.  She wasn't satisfied that illness and the hamster wheel of stress was her "new normal" and that she would just have to accept it and live with it. She knew she wanted better. She managed to get back on her feet, but then threw herself into another intense, highly stressful career with long hours. The truth is, she was chasing success in order to avoid dealing with the much scarier pit of anxiety that she tried to push away by avoiding dealing with it. And from the outside? She was more successful than ever. But after she had her daughter, she entered a new phase of exhaustion, one that was even worse than being on-call overnight at the hospital. She was irritable, couldn’t get out of bed, and constantly ill. She was eating a healthy diet (She is actually one of those crazy people who adores kale and quinoa)? So why was she so sick? None of it made sense to Zarya until she finally realized that the mind-body connection was stronger than ever, and years of untreated stress, anxiety, and PTSD had taken a toll, not just on her mental health, but her physical health as well - autoimmune disease, emergency surgery, adrenal fatigue. She finally got help from physicians, healers, and a coach of her own, who all helped put her back together. And so her journey of self-discovery has led her to holistic approaches to health and wellness, healing from the inside out, balancing mind and body.  Zarya is so happy with where she is today and would love to share what she’s learned with our audience. Here's the link to Zarya's website -⁠ https://drzarya.com⁠ Zarya's episode has been broadcast across 7 or 8 streaming sites including the one you’ve just listened to! Also new for 2024, this and all other episodes are loading onto my YouTube channel so you can follow the transcript there. You can also watch for opportunities to pose your questions to future guests via my Facebook and Instagram profiles: @susandunlopleadbelievecreate. ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram

Today's guest is Dr Victoria Wilson-Crane the author of Sixteen Days: A Sudden Death. What to Say? Vic is an Advanced Grief Recovery Method Specialist, supporting children and adults grieving life losses. Her memoir and self-help book, Sixteen Days, was published in January 2022; it is advice for those supporting others in shock and grief following sudden death. By day, an Educational innovator and leader, Vic used her academic writing skills and love of words as therapy as she faced significant bereavement in 2020. Vic lives in West Lancashire, England, with her author husband, Roger. They share their life and sense of humour with their dance-crazy daughter, Holly Mae, and their exuberant, unique, yet typically bonkers flat-coated retriever, Ted Hastings. Vic will share the circumstances that led to her writing such a book and answer questions about what to say, or not to say, what to do that is helpful, and more. In preparation for this episode, I put out a call for input on Facebook and Instagram and had some conversations with people who have experienced the sudden death of loved ones. My sister-in-law has permitted me to share some helpful feedback, or as she said, ‘you’re Paul’s aunty, yes share'. She easily recalled the words people spoke that she found helpful and not helpful and what she observed after Paul’s sudden death. There are also some insights from Paul's sister on words that never got to be spoken in sudden-death situations. Here's the link to Vic's website where people can find out more about working with her through The Grief Recovery Method - https://grief.drvictoriawilsoncrane.co.uk/ Update 15 January 2024: The transcript of our conversation will soon be available on YouTube. Vic’s episode has been broadcast across 7 or 8 streaming sites including the one you’ve just listened to! You can also watch for opportunities to pose your questions to future guests via my Facebook and Instagram profiles: @susandunlopleadbelievecreate. Facebook Instagram

Today's guest is Kim Korven, Founder of The Conflict Queen (formerly The Gentle Way Divorce), who believes that divorce can be a gift for children. Kim lives in Regina, Saskatchewan, in Canada’s Treaty 4 Territory with her husband (#2), one adult child from her first marriage, and rescue greyhounds and cats. Kim is the third generation in her family to steward 160 acres of natural prairie.  Kim is a family mediator, peaceful divorce strategist, and trainer/speaker who combines her experience as a lawyer, judge, mediator, judo coach and parent to help people in conflict remember they are the CEOs of their lives and create fair and family-focused results. This even happens when one spouse is a narcissist.   Since I met with Kim a few weeks before our recording, she has spoken publicly for the first time about her experience in a relationship with a narcissist. Not her husband, but a former partner. This is an information and story-rich program, that we managed to squeeze into less than 60 minutes. If you'd like to find out more about Kim's work or her group program: the Divas of Disentanglement you will find her: Website: https://www.theconflictqueen.ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.korven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conflictqueen The transcript from this episode will be available as an Article on my website: www.susandunlop.com.au/articles within a week of this episode being broadcast. Episodes are shared via Spotify and other favourite streaming services. On social media you will find me on Instagram and Facebook as @susandunlopleadbelievecreate

The first guest after my six-month break from recording is Erica Curry. Erica has been a licensed therapist and mental agility coach to athletes in California since 2017. Holding a degree in Psychology, and a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, Erica found her way to that career via athletics. As a Division One springboard diver, Erica saw how much she and her teammates struggled with different mental health-related symptoms that went unnoticed due to the stigmatisation of mental health and the grind/push-through culture of athletics. Erica has spent the last six years helping athletes foster their own well-being and find their way after retirement. Our conversation includes Erica's pivot from gymnastics to springboard diver at 14. We discussed what she witnessed or experienced herself and the struggles with mental health-related symptoms of athletes at her level. Statistics, tips and strategies for children, teenagers and parents to consider regarding sports are mixed into our 40-minute episode. If you'd like to learn more about Erica's work, you can find her at www.coachericacurry.com or on Instagram and TikTok as @coachericacurry. The transcript from this episode is available as an Article on my website: www.susandunlop.com.au and new from January 2024, all episodes may also be found on my YouTube channel: Susan Dunlop Coaching. Erica's Episode has been uploaded there as: YouTube On social media you will find me on Facebook or Instagram as @susandunlopleadbelievecreate

A brief interlude between guests, today I'm sharing a snapshot of the work I deliver as a 3 Vital Questions certified trainer and coach throughout Australasia and the Asia Pacific. I first came across Dr Stephen Karpman's drama triangle model in 2005. I understood it, and at the time, I was busy with my growing company and put it aside to look into more later. Then I came across the empowering alternative triangle to the drama triangle, TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic), a model developed by David Emerald, best selling author of The Power of TED* and the 3 Vital Questions: transforming workplace drama. Between 2018 and now I have immersed myself in this work, firstly for myself, and my own relationships, and in the work I deliver to my clients as a course facilitator and coach. It is work that can be adopted by individuals, families, leaders of any size organisation and their teams. I'm working with one Hong Kong group that has embraced TED*, from the school's principal to the janitor. Fifty people doing this work together in the safe environment I establish for them from the outset. It's deeply personal development and changes the way they show up and relate at work and in their personal lives. What a ripple effect that will have on their entire school community! It's simple to understand, it's not easy, and it will consciously take practice. The dreaded drama triangle roles are what we human beings default to in times of stress. They are roles we may have needed to adopt from an early age in response to life and the way other people chose to operate. This work is about consciously choosing to shift to an empowering creator mindset. Contact me if you'd like to explore The Empowerment Dynamic and understand how the Dreaded Drama Triangle plays out in your personal and work life. It's enlightening, not dark, and it's empowering - structured so you have a framework to refer back to. There are all kinds of depths you can go with it. Personal coaching is one, you as a leader learning this for yourself first, perhaps. Purchasing The Power of TED* book or listening to it on audio is a perfect place to begin. Whatever way you go, you will be a person who can model change at all kinds of levels, for this generation and generations to come. You can reach me at: www.susandunlop.com.au - select the button there and book a conversation or use the contact form and we can talk. Check out the Programs page whilst you're there - it shows the kinds of ways this work can be brought into your life and work. Enjoy!

Today’s guest is Vicky Spencer, the founder and facilitator of Inspirational Ageing group on Facebook. Vicky is a qualified naturopath, herbalist and personal trainer with over 28 years experience. A health educational specialist and author of Ageless Vitality. Vicky is on a mission to change the narrative around ageing. Her objective is to give confidence to women, during the perimenopause to postmenopause transition. Encouraging women to embrace responsibility and take control of their health. Vicky specialises in healthy ageing, with an emphasis on movement, herbal medicine, nutrition, emerging work and meditation. Today's conversation is about choices, the first of which is how Vicky came to choose naturopathy and herbalism; the people she was blessed to work with and be mentored by; and where she has taken her experience to now educate audiences both in her private Facebook group, Inspirational Ageing, and through public talks and webinars. Vicky is a model of making healthy informed choices and taking lessons learned along her life journey to support others. Vicky and I talk about the choices she empowers women to make: from navigating the perimenopause to postmenopause transition to taking care of themselves by knowing themselves better. ______________________ I am Susan Dunlop, a professional coach and 3 Vital Questions facilitator living in Noosa Australia. If you would like to join me as a guest on the Coffee & Contemplation with Susan Dunlop podcast, to talk about your dreams, your interesting life journey, or how you're changing lives, please reach out and chat. You'll find me on LinkedIn: Susan's Profile; or via my website: www.susandunlop.com.au

Today's guest is one of the most enthusiastic, energised, ever-creating, innovative and kind people I've had the pleasure to get to know in Covid times. I met Merilee Smith from Pittsburgh PA, in 2021 through our work as professional coaches and 3 Vital Questions facilitators with the Center for the Empowerment Dynamic in the United States. Mary Poppins, Disney and making magic happen, TED* (The Empowerment Dynamic) and the 3 Vital Questions all feature in this episode 60 of the Coffee and Contemplation with Susan podcast. You will find plenty of magic, wisdom, and food for thought shared by Merilee, a woman who chooses to deliver her gifts to the world in a real and raw way. Enjoy! Merilee is on Facebook and LinkedIn, and her website link is here for you to connect: www.merileesmith.com _______________ I’m Susan Dunlop, a professional coach and 3 Vital Questions certified facilitator living in Noosa, Australia.  If you'd like to know more about the 3 Vital Questions and The Empowerment Dynamic programs that Merilee and I discussed throughout this conversation, please don't hesitate to head to my website for more details on the choices available to you: www.susandunlop.com.au or to schedule a time for a conversation. About this podcast: People passionate about what they deliver to the world intrigue me and make me want to know WHAT, HOW and WHY they do what they do. I choose to surround myself with people who set magnificent visions; take risks to do good things in service of others; and are kind-hearted, purposeful and wise. In service OR in the books they've written, they change lives, including their own. Guests joining me on the Coffee and Contemplation with Susan podcast are invited to share their personal stories, with vulnerability, for the benefit of others. They are people with either or both professional and experiential knowledge of the theme of each episode. If you would like to join me as a guest to discuss your dreams, your interesting life journey, or how you're changing lives, please reach out and chat!  You can contact me via my website and I am on LinkedIn.

Today’s guest is a return visitor, Nikki Creber, from the Sunshine Coast. When Nikki first came on the show for Episode 24 in October 2020, we focused on her personal experience with Parkinson’s Disease and how she took ownership of that and turned all she learned about the disease into doing something good, not just for herself, but for others as well. Nikki and I have remained supportive of each other’s visions in life and our work. The last time we spent time together was with Nikki on the stage as a guest of The Girlfriend Hour, a youtube binge network series by Shar Moore. That and I had the pleasure of reading a beautiful three page article sharing Nikki’s story in the Feminessence magazine. I haven’t caught up with Nikki since then.  Today’s episode focuses on Nikki’s evolution into serving and supporting women. Women at a particular life transition – what Nikki calls the Crone Zone, which we’ll find out more about today. If you are interested to find out more about the Wise Women Wisdom event(s) that Nikki is running on the Sunshine Coast, the first of which still has spaces available on the 31st of January, you can contact Nikki via her website: www.nikkiacreber.vip I’m Susan Dunlop, a personal results coach and 3 Vital Questions certified facilitator living in Noosa, Australia. If this is the first time you’ve joined me, welcome, and if you’ve been tuned in before, thank you for coming back. People passionate about what they deliver to the world intrigue me and make me want to know WHAT, HOW and WHY they do what they do. I choose to surround myself with people who set magnificent visions; take risks to do good things in service of others; and are kind-hearted, purposeful and wise. In service OR in the books they've written, they change lives, including their own. Guests joining me on the Coffee and Contemplation podcast are invited to share their personal stories, with vulnerability, for the benefit of others. They are people with professional and/or experiential knowledge of the theme of each episode. You'll find all episodes on all of your favourite podcast platforms. If you'd like to find out more about what I do, you can find me at www.susandunlop.com.au Take care, Susan

Teri Giannetti, a lifelong educator, coach and facilitator, joins me in this episode from her home in Detroit.  We discuss Teri's Italian heritage, from her mother's courage in the face of the Gestapo in WWII as a young girl. Her mother had a dream to find the streets paved with gold, so not long after WWII, she left her village in Italy where somebody told her to take a wheel of cheese to their family in New Jersey. Teri shared her life began all because of a wheel of cheese! Interesting, insightful and inspiring, Teri's capacity for sharing amusing stories isn't missed in this episode. Enjoy! Where did Teri's passion for educating children stem from? When Teri entered kindergarten they didn't know what to do with her because she couldn't speak English, and they didn't have English as a second language at that time. Teri, by the time she was eight, knew she had been placed in the too-hard basket and from somewhere inside of her she found the strength and determination to change her own circumstances and trajectory! Moving forward in time, Teri, as a school principal, gave a talk to an entire school body. It was the first time Teri gave a talk about being in what was so inappropriately called the 'retarded room' in her elementary school days.  Teri told the kids the reason she became a principal and a teacher was because she wanted to treat kids the way she thinks kids should be treated and never make them feel stupid. She had a realisation too, that she also didn't want anybody to be a student in her school where they felt lost.  Teri's vision was that she would stand up for all kids and she was really going to stand up for the kids that need some help with their strength and courage, so that when they leave her school, she will have helped them, and modelled to the teachers, what they should be doing with kids.  Now, as co-founder of Synchronicity Consulting Partnership, Teri and her business partner and friend, Judy, both have a passion to reach kids, and adults too. Together they create and deliver engaging content supporting their clients to understand their anxiety and much more. The transcript of the episode is available to read in the Articles on my website at: www.susandunlop.com.au/articles.  If you have any questions or would like to reach out to Teri please contact me via email and I'll put you in touch. Email Susan _________________________ I'm Susan Dunlop, 3 Vital Questions certified trainer and professional coach in Noosa, Queensland Australia. The Coffee and Contemplation with Susan podcast is ever-evolving. If you would like to join me as a guest to talk about your magnificent visions or how you're changing lives, please reach out and chat!  Trust that you are blessed, even when you forget that you are blessed. Take care of yourself. Susan

Today’s guest is Cal Stephens, who lives close by to me at Sunrise Beach, in Noosa, Queensland. Cal and I found ourselves on a road trip to the Gold Coast a month back. A mutual friend invited us to join the audience of a new TV show. I offered to drive. I picked up our friend Nikki, and then talked and navigated our way to find Cal at a bus stop in southern Brisbane. Cal hopped into my back seat, started talking and the conversation flowed all the way to the Gold Coast and all the way back again. To say it was an inspiring, energising and thought-provoking kind of day would be an understatement! I just had to keep remembering to keep my eyes on the road! At the beginning of Covid times, Cal left behind her career as a financial advisor and established a business that is quite unique in its model and in the service it delivers. The service Cal began with was teaching young people financial literacy through cooking. It's since evolved, in a very short space of time, to bring Edna's Life Skills to a growing clientele, and doing so only through word-of-mouth referrals. Cal's services are delivered most often under the NDIS program.  Edna's Life Skills now incorporate financial literacy, domestic management, domestic science and social skills development. Edna's Life Skills is a business that is about setting up young people for independence with the side-effect of growing their confidence 100-fold. It’s about caring, and skills development and it touches the lives of more than just the young people that Cal and her team of life skill coaches and mentors serve. Who is Edna? Edna was Cal's mum. Today we’re going to talk about Edna, Cal, where the business idea came about, the hurdles and where to from here. Enjoy! ________________________________ Listeners, the transcript of our conversation will be shared on my website within the coming days if you are a person who likes to read articles as well as listen to podcasts: Click here to go to Articles. I am forever thankful for my beautiful guests for allowing me to understand them more and to share their stories. In prep for today’s session, it had an added benefit of letting Cal’s next steps float to the surface to work on: her Why and making that shift from, what I call worker bee to queen bee. Maybe you’ve found yourself in that space and are trying to figure your way through that maze too? If you would like to join me as a guest to talk about your magnificent vision or how you're changing lives, please reach out and chat!  If you’re baulking at the idea of having a magnificent vision, just know that it comes from inside of you, it's already there! So it’s just about facilitating getting your thoughts out onto paper. I look at my one-page vision at least every Monday in my prep for the week, and sometimes I go back to it to put myself back on track. They’re not just magnificent, they have energy when you might not, so please don’t hesitate to reach out and I can guide you through the process of documenting your magnificent vision and the first few steps to take towards making it become your reality. Trust that you are blessed, even when you forget that you are blessed. Take care of yourself, Susan Dunlop You can contact me via email or book a time for us to Zoom and chat anytime. Website: https://www.susandunlop.com.au You'll also find me on LinkedIn, however, I'm not on Facebook or Instagram.

The podcast being about women sharing their stories and lessons learnt from life, has led to 3 episodes in a row being friends and peers of mine who took those lessons learnt and turned them into books!  Sarah Bell from Texas, USA, is a peer 3 Vital Questions certified trainer, and I reached out to her on referral from another trainer who told me Sarah was a leader in coaching nurses. I reached out in my researching around my vision for where I’m taking my coaching and training here in Australia. Sarah has been an ICF certified coach working with nurse managers, nurse leaders and other health care professionals, in the United States, who are seeking leadership growth and development, for some 20 years. Sarah’s 30 years experience as a Registered Nurse began in the United Kingdom continued in the United States, and Sarah said (on the back inside cover of her book) that she struggled with the idea that Healthcare is a business. She observed and personally experienced the pressure nurse leaders face to achieve both clinical and business goals. Those 30 and 20 years clearly have run alongside each other, not one after the other! This week is International Nurses' & Midwives' Week and perfect timing to discuss Sarah's book: The Successful Nurse Leader - the ultimate guide to transition from Nurse to Manager to Leader, it's purpose, what led to Sarah putting pen to paper; and how it fits in nicely with the International Council of Nurses (ICN) theme for 2022:  Nurses: A Voice to Lead – Invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health. Focusing on the need to protect, support and invest in the nursing profession to strengthen health systems around the world! _______________ As discussed with Sarah in the episode here are some contact details about the book: Sarah’s Book Launch Team on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sarahsbooklaunch Here’s the link to Sarah's website to find out more: www.bellscoaching.com ------------------------------ I’m Susan Dunlop, of Noosa, Queensland, Australia. Professional Coach ICF NLP and 3 Vital Questions certified trainer partnering with The Center for The Empowerment Dynamic in the United States. I was founder CEO of a small to large health care organisation for 17 years, and have chosen to bring all I learnt into my practice as a certified professional coach and trainer, to transform leaders, teams and companies. Do you know any business owners, leaders, managers, teams, or companies as a whole, who are struggling to deal with low staff morale, workplace drama – gossip, absenteeism and the like; lack of shared vision or direction, disengaged staff, high staff turnover, wasted time, energy and focus and lost productivity? Through my 1-to-1 coaching, online facilitated eLearning programs and workshops, I support business owners, leaders, teams and companies, to greatly improve employee engagement, transform company culture, increase profitability, grow themselves and empower their people. If you do know any struggling business owners, leaders, teams or companies, please don’t hesitate to reach out, or pass my details on. If you’d like to come share your story on this podcast show, I’d be only to happy to have a chat about that opportunity with you. Email: [email protected] Web: www.susandunlop.com.au LinkedIn: click here

Today’s guest is Donna Zajonc MCC and Author of "Who Do You Want to Be On the Way to What You Want? Coaching with The Empowerment Dynamic Donna is Co-Founder and Director of Coaching for the Center for The Empowerment Dynamic in the USA. Donna is currently riding the early waves of her long awaited book launch, getting her beautifully crafted words out to the world of coaches, like myself. Donna's partner David Emerald had an epiphany one day that led to him creating TED*, the antidote to the Dreaded Drama Triangle and writing two bestselling books: The Power of TED* and The 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama. Back when David told Donna about his epiphany, Donna embodying all the roles of TED*, The Empowerment Dynamic, enthusiastically supported David to get TED* and later the 3 Vital Questions, out to the world. I met Donna in studying and becoming certified as a trainer in the 3 Vital Questions and TED*  last year. Donna is passionate about her ministry to deliver and expand the work of the Center for The Empowerment Dynamic to the world, individuals, communities, workplaces, for the greater good. This year Donna added the icing to the Center for the Empowerment Dynamic cake, in the form of her book.  It’s a book that is written as a gift to each of us and most definitely we coaches and trainers in TED*, and then the ripple effect of that, becomes a gift we can keep on giving! How magic a formula is that! In this episode Donna shares gems of wisdom, capturable quotes,  the foundations of the work and how her book came to being launched amidst a global pandemic.  Donna mentioned in the episode that she publishes a weekly blog and welcomed listeners to subscribe. I've added the link here for you: Donna's Blog ** I’m Susan Dunlop, 3VQ and TED* certified facilitator and professional coach ICF NLP. I am very humbled to have the opportunity to work and grow with the community of trainers at The Center for The Empowerment Dynamic. I was once founder CEO of a small to large health care organisation so decided to bring all I learnt into my practice as a  professionally trained coach transforming leaders, teams and companies – be they people who choose to lead in all the roles you play in life, or leading your business start up, small, medium size or successful large companies who need some support going to the next level. I do that in a combination of coaching and elearning training programs, workshops, retreats, master mind groups, personalised to suit each clients’ needs. I haven’t yet had to tap dance but I do know how to juggle so if asked I’d be happy to show you how. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like to take the course of 3 Vital Questions with me, for coaching, or even if you’d like to come share your story on this podcast show. I’d be only too happy to have a chat about any of those with you. You will find me at www.susandunlop.com.au or email: [email protected] Thank you, I’ll be back soon with some other interesting guests lined up in the wings!

Today I’m speaking with Rachel Lee in Austin Texas.  Our topic, even if we didn't state it as such was "What Does Right Look Like in Terms of Online Communication and Connection?"  Rachel commented that "people are thirsting to be heard not just seen." In our 40 minute chat we cover:  The important role of self belief in personal branding. How to show up online in business or as a recruitment candidate post-Covid.  Leaving Facebook and what are the alternative online spaces to connect or market your business.  LinkedIn as a place to share as thought leaders and to be of service; and  Where to from here with social audio, for authentic human conversation and connection. Rachel is a woman of many roles, an expert in her field, successful business woman, wife, stepmother, daughter, sister and friend. Her favourite mantra is "I surrender to the divine". Rachel has led branding, social media strategy, content development, blogging, influencer communities, podcasts, experiential, paid media and more for the Microsoft Partner Network. Taking a leap of faith in her own version of the great resignation, Rachel now leads the branding and marketing strategy for StandOut Authority, a company she co-owns with husband, Joshua B Lee, “the dopamine dealer of Linkedin!” StandOut Authority helps you and your company find and build your voice, and create influence so you can change the world.  A transcript of this episode will be available via my website as an Article if you'd like that alternative way to reflect on something covered in this podcast episode. Go to www.susandunlop.com.au/articles and you'll find it there (within a week of the recording!) __________________________________________ If this topic is of interest to you, or if you have any questions for Rachel, please don't hesitate to let me know via email: [email protected]; or use the contact form on my website: www.susandunlop.com.au/contact-susan.  Self-Belief and the work that each of us need to do in terms of showing up in the world can only come from the inside out. It was something discussed as part of this episode. As a personal leadership and business coach that is what I help my clients with, or it is one aspect of what I help them with every day.  Please do not hesitate to reach out if I can be of service to you in coaching. To book a discovery call, this is the link to my scheduler: Book an Intro Discovery Call Take care, Susan Dunlop

Funnily enough, the 3 Vital Questions that I deliver training in is about Where are You Putting Your Focus? That is the 1st Vital Question. So here I am again tying loose ends together in terms of all the lessons I've come across through business and my own personal and professional development, where the 3VQ meet this little story about shifting your focus to what is important to your prospective clients. What isn't important is Your Boat! Don't sell the boat.  A short, easy and memorable lesson for times when you get all caught up in contemplating what to sell your customers next! If this resonates with you, or if you'd like any other topics covered in future mini-series within the Coffee and Contemplation with Susan Dunlop podcast show, I'd love to hear. Please contact me via my website, sign up to my eCommunication newsletter, or send me a quick email to let me know what you'd like more of here.  Website and eNewsletter sign up: www.susandunlop.com.au Email: [email protected]  Episode 53 is coming up next with Rachel Lee as guest talking on communication, social media, and what's afoot for businesses in 2022 that breaks away from Facebook and Instagram. 

Strategic planning for established businesses, using thought-provoking content and inputs from teams to make a strategic plan alive and felt and owned by your team. Do that onsite or offsite, via a strategic retreat. Strategic retreats in Noosa would have to be one of the best locations, for a combined leadership team strategy sessions, opening up communication channels, education, plus rest and play.  The other end of the business planning scale is one I take entrepreneurs through that incorporates the Whole Entrepreneur because you cannot just think business when you're the one going to make your vision become reality at the end of the day. Incorporated into the Extended 1-Page Business Plan that I've developed are your personal commitments that honour your health, your relationships and your personal vision. Business supports you, you don't support the business, otherwise you've bought yourself a job! Contact me for a quote for business coaching packages or strategic retreats or team training opportunities anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. My website home page www.susandunlop.com.au has a Book a Discovery Call button or please don't hesitate to send me an email to [email protected] or connect with me via LinkedIn and Twitter. Thank you, Susan

Whether it's your Ultimate Vision or What's Your Why, both are one in the same in terms of an important exercise to undertake by business owners to sustain you beyond the physical and emotional energy required to get a business started.  Your Ultimate Vision, an 8 step exercise I complete with my coaching clients, becomes an integral document to go back to time and again and remind yourself that that is what you said you were going to make happen, what's important to you, who you need to become to deliver on that mission and more. What is your Ultimate Vision? If you aren't 100% certain I'd be happy to guide you through the steps to get to the root of what it is with you. Contact me via my home page: www.susandunlop.com.au. You'll find a Book a Discovery Call button to choose a time to have an Intro Discovery Chat. You are also welcome to subscribe and join my eCommunity via the newsletter that is sent out monthly direct to your inbox cover all kinds of topics that leaders can use for Think Time, provide you with topics to use as Conversation Starters with your teams at work, and more. Please don't hesitate to reach out and we can take it from there. Susan

"When did I become invisible?"  "What is my role now that the kids are gone?" "Where did my sparkle go?" "Who can I confide in, who will understand?" How many women in midlife pose questions or repeat self-sabotaging self-talk, like "I'm too old, too tired, too unfit, too fat..."?  I chose the topic of the Top 10 Transitions a Midlife Woman would experience, or might experience, when completing a research project as part of my life coaching course back in 2017. I think, in hindsight, because I was a midlife woman at the time, and I wanted to understand the bigger picture for me, and for the women who come to coaching.  I coach people choosing to lead in life and business, and that can be across any age of life. Therefore, it's not been uncommon to be coaching a woman in the age bracket of 45-55, the time of a woman's life that she might pass through menopause, whilst simultaneously experiencing other life events.  Needless to say, when putting all the issues and dreams on the table to co-create together during coaching, an awareness that some of these transitions may be at play at the same time, whilst a client is trying to launch a business, or a new fashion line online, is worth taking pause over. If this topic is of interest to you, please don't hesitate to let me know via email or use the contact form on my website. Maybe you'd like to have more podcast episodes cover this in greater detail, including (a) going into greater depth on, say, one area like managing the relationship with boomerang kids; or inviting guests (a) who wish to share their experience of living it or surviving this period of life - you are welcome to come chat as well; or (c) experts who can provide tips on any particular area you'd like to understand further.  My website homepage is: www.susandunlop.com.au Look after yourself, Susan

I learnt this new version of the 8 areas of life only this year and changed the way I measured my progress forwards, and dialled up the quality of what it is I'm truly focused on for my own life. You may have heard of the Wheel of Life that coaches use as a tool to measure life satisfaction with clients, most often in their first session. It lets coaches see what areas are needing the first attention etc. This is a new take on it and if you like things to be more about passion, vision and true desires, listen and see what you'd score yourself for each of the 8 areas. If you'd like to do this as an exercise with me to debrief on once you run through it, please don't hesitate to book a 50-minute intro discovery session for that very purpose. No obligation, just head to my website home page and click the Book a Discovery Call button, choose a time that is available, and I'll see you via Zoom. Click here to get to my home page:  www.susandunlop.com.au Take care,  Susan

These 3 Mandates of Leadership got me through some of the toughest days in business when massive change was occurring throughout our industry. I also use them for myself personally, in communicating within business and personally. Strangely, excitingly, I'm now connecting the dots between having taken the 3 Mandates of Leadership to be my leadership mantra back in 2011 and having found my space in the world now delivering a reasonably similar focused training in the form of the 3 Vital Questions by creator, David Emerald. Powerful work combined with powerful worlds help you make powerful impact on the world, and for all those you care about.  If you'd like to be kept abreast of other lessons that I'm sharing, please head to my website and subscribe to my eCommunity newsletter or to find out more about my coaching for people who choose to lead in their professional and personal lives.  Click here to get to my home page: www.susandunlop.com.au Enjoy! Susan Dunlop

The 3 Vital Questions course is for anyone who wants less drama and more fulfilling and effective work relationships, which includes CEOs and other senior leaders, department heads, HR leaders, leadership and organisational development professionals, team leaders and teams. Really it is for anyone who is ready to transform working together, and developing relationships that are resourceful, resilient and innovative.  This course is life-changing and will positively impact your most important relationships - be it with yourself, those you love, those you work with or those you serve.  Contact me via my website - new dates are available to start soon. You have a choice to attend an open group; or book exclusively for your team; or book 1-2-1 private sessions for you personally, to do the work yourself first. This link will take you to my homepage where you can also sign up, if you wish, to my eCommunity monthly newsletter, that will be sent directly to your inbox: www.susandunlop.com.au Take care, Susan Dunlop

Introducing a mini-series of 7 short lessons to contemplate over a coffee, or beverage of choice.  This podcast is about women sharing what makes them who they are today.  These 7 lessons are me drawing on what I've learnt over the past few decades of life that helped me through hard times, have helped me stay true to my path and my vision, not feel as 'nutty' as I sometimes was in the transition of midlife. In recording these, I may not have said it, but I can see how all of the topics are ME doing what I love and caring about how I deliver an authentic, caring service to individuals, as that is what we all are.  This mini-series ranges from 3 to 7 minute recordings. Episodes 46 to 52 will touch on: Episode 46: The 3 Vital Questions and the C Dimension of Business - transforming drama into empowerment. Episode 47: The 3 Mandates of Leadership (downloadable blue or deep pink posters will be available via the upcoming eCommunity newsletter via my website if you'd like to plaster these around your office, to help you like they did me time and time again. Episode 48: 8 Forms of Wealth Episode 49: The 10 Top Transitions Women Experience in Midlife. Episode 50: The importance of establishing an Ultimate Vision for your business. Episode 51: 2 Kinds of Business Planning - one for the 'whole entrepreneur' and the other one-page strategic plan for established businesses. Episode 52: A short lesson I loved that stuck "Don't Sell The Boat".  You will also find the video recordings of these topics on my YouTube channel: Susan Dunlop Coaching; and as articles on my website. More will follow monthly via my eCommunity news that is available directly to your inbox - please subscribe via my homepage: www.susandunlop.com.au I would love to hear your thoughts on any of the topics, and also if there are topics you'd like me to include in the podcast this year: be it me sharing a lesson, or a guest with expertise on the topic.  There's nothing better for me than hearing other people share their stories to ponder and learn from. Should you wish to come share your story, or know of a woman between the age of 10 and 110 who has an interesting story to share; and how each has taken the lessons delivered in life, to do something good with, please email me and we can chat about how it works.  Thank you for listening, Susan Dunlop [email protected] 

This episode does touch on the topic of childhood sexual abuse in terms of it is what the guest experienced, and has written her memoir about to help others heal from trauma too.  Jeannine Rashidi was guest no. 4 of the podcast almost 2 years ago to the day. Jeannine and I met in Kerala, India in 2017, on a mutual journey to the roots of Ayurveda. The universe put us in a very distant place together and we've remained friends and supporters of each other's growth ever since. From the time of our first recording in March 2020, Jeannine has continued her studies as an Ayurvedic doctor with Kerala Ayurveda Academy in the USA, has written and self-published her best-selling memoir, Abundance Beyond Trauma, and more.  Part of formulating the structure of her memoir, was a 3am aHA moment that led to Jeannine naming her trauma healing process, EDHIR™.  We dig around in all the feelings, emotions and the vulnerability that Jeannine experienced in taking her story through to the day of launch, and beyond. Importantly, what is most important to Jeannine now beyond the memoir having been written. A key focus for Jeannine is to keep working on the relationship she has with herself. If you'd like to contact Jeannine you will find her on social media and LinkedIn under Goodbye Tension or her name. Her book is available on Amazon and on Audible.  If you are interested in becoming a guest on the podcast show, please reach out to me via my website: www.susandunlop.com.au - I'd love to share with you how it works. I can also be found on LinkedIn. I no longer have a presence on Facebook or Instagram. 

As I enter 2022 one month later than planned, welcoming you to the podcast for 2022 and sharing thoughts on what happens when we ignore the messages that are in front of us. Feather messages are a gentle reminder or a nudge or a push in a particular direction.  If we don't listen to the feather, then we get the brick. Brick messages are not so gentle reminders. They could be health-related, business restructures, changes to management. If we're still not paying attention to the brick, that's when we get the truck. Truck messages are a massive shift in life as we know it. An example of a truck might be loss - loss of your job completely, loss of a relationship or loved ones. All of a sudden, we're forced to make massive changes to our life. Sharing what a brick message, in the form of covid January 2022, has taught me and where I took that lesson, that has served me greatly towards my vision for 2022, because I stopped before I ran forward into 2022. Note: episode 21 also spoke on an example of feather, brick, truck, if the idea of it interests you. __________________ Hello and welcome, I'm Susan Dunlop, professional coach and 3 Vital Questions certified trainer, in Noosa, Queensland.  I support my clients transform their vision into results through strategy and actions, or baby steps, as we call them. Also, a passion-focus of the work I do is helping people break the chains of the drama triangle, within all their relationships, towards a far more empowered, passion-fuelled way of being, via The Empowerment Dynamic. Contact me if you would like to learn more about coaching and facilitation. I work with people who choose to lead in life and business and their teams. Book a discovery call: Click Here Email: [email protected] Web: www.susandunlop.com.au - check it out! A beautiful fresh make-over has happened since the last episode on this show. Guest Broadcast: If you or someone you know is a woman, with a kind heart, of any decade of life 10-19 through to 100-109, please contact me about becoming a guest on the show. We talk about life - it's not a business-focused show. I make it easy, comfortable and relaxed - we connect via screen, no lipstick required, and all guests find they have learnt more about themselves in the process, as well as benefiting the audience in a story shared. Please contact me via email above. 

Melinda Uys, former high school teacher turned business owner at Melinda Uys Words; a self-published author and creator of beautifully sculpted written content - be it her own work or for others.  I was referred to Melinda to help me with the editing of my own book this year. I would highly recommend this woman of words to anyone needing that kind of expertise, to help you, as she did me. Melinda recently celebrated the accomplishment of the launch of Women Inspired, a book she wrote; a beautiful marriage of words and imagery and a collaborative project of 3 women, that resulted in putting a smile on many women's faces across the Sunshine Coast. Melinda was also honoured as Finalist at the Sunshine Coast Business Women's Network Awards this year. There's plenty to be celebrated for Melinda in 2021! Today we talk on origins and dreams and what has inspired Melinda on her path from a poetry competition as a child to now being an author, editor and creator of written works.  Melinda's path accommodates much more than being a writer. Together with husband and children, she has taken many leaps from her front door step at home or from her camper trailer into the front seat of the 4WD and travelled extensively throughout our beautiful country.  It was the kind of travel that Melinda first had trepidations about, to take a baby and toddler, on the road for a year. “As an Australian I was reluctant to go... my thinking then being Australia is the same: there's going to be the same meat pie in Darwin as there is in Perth; accent, culture, history are going to be the same. The only thing that's going to change is the caravan park we stay in. Which I couldn't have been more wrong about.”  That first trip turned into an awakening and respect for the innate spirituality and ancientness of our country. Melinda's own book is in the pipeline honouring that incredible lesson, which came about from choosing to explore the wonders of Australia! _______________________________ Hello, I'm Susan Dunlop professional coach and trainer living in Noosa Queensland. This podcast is my passion project, where I invite people to come and share their story for their own benefit and the greater good. The podcast is across 8 platforms and where an episode is recorded as video (so far only episode 40: Julia Carter), the video is available for viewing on my YouTube channel: Susan Dunlop Coaching.  If you or someone you know is a woman from any decade of life, 10-19 through to 100-109, a person with a story to share, and a kind heart and generous spirit, please don't hesitate to contact me to chat about becoming a guest of the show. Audio or video, whichever you feel comfortable about. It's not a business-promoting kind of story sharing. There are plenty of other podcast shows that do that.  My contact details are: [email protected] Website: www.susandunlop.com.au You'll also find me on LinkedIn and YouTube as Susan Dunlop Coaching. I am no longer on Facebook nor Instagram.

I want to share with you a 1st preview of what I've been working towards this past year. Back in 2005, when I was 40, I came across the Drama Triangle and its 3 roles of victim, persecutor and rescuer, developed by Steven Karpman. That was 16 years ago. I immediately understood it, could see how the roles of the drama triangle played out in life, in families, society and in business.  Busy as I was, I put it on the shelf, not sure what to do with that new knowledge; and then through serendipity, and one International Coaching Federation webinar in 2018, I was introduced to the positive antidote to the (dreaded) drama triangle!  The webinar delivered by co-founders of the Bainbridge Leadership Center in the USA: Donna Zajonc, master coach, and husband, David Emerald, author of the best selling book "The Power of TED* (*The Empowerment Dynamic) and more recently, the 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama.  I'd read both of the books a year or so ago. Then, earlier this year I completed the Transform Drama to Design Your Dreams coach training with Donna, and have now become certified as a trainer, to deliver workshops and facilitate the eCourse in the 3 Vital Questions: Applying the Power of TED* (The Empowerment Dynamic) to Work and Life.  I'm just coming down off 'night school' having attended live via Zoom, to practice delivery of the training with fellow trainers in the States, Canada and the UK, over the past 3 weeks, setting my alarm to be at my desk at midnight til 7.30 am and loving every minute of it! The workshop I will be delivering is a comprehensive, yet personalised, 2-day format; and the latter a 8-module facilitated eCourse that I will be delivering to leaders in business, in our community and those choosing to be leaders, not followers, in all areas of their life. Perfect for anyone who wants less drama and more fulfilling and effective work relationships, including CEOs, other senior leaders, department heads, HR leaders, leadership and organisation development professionals and team leaders.  Really, it's for anyone who is ready to transform working together, and developing relationships that are resourceful, resilient and innovative. It's work that will equip any human being, business and their teams to be happier and more productive. In the workplace, or in setting personal desired outcomes, this work is about moving forward and making a positive impact on those you relate to, or serve and it will create a ripple effect throughout our communities. Perfectly suited for any business, continuing to transition to new ways of operating, as we move through the drama of covid-19 disruption! This podcast is about people sharing stories. I feel the shift for me, in acknowledging the drama triangle at play; the anxiety it causes; the draining focus on problems; to a much more vibrant way of approaching life, with outcomes that are passion-fuelled and easy to operate within, has been life-changing. This shift has helped me enormously in my way of doing business, coaching and in my most important relationships.  Please, if you have any questions or are curious about this work, for yourself, your team or your family, I'm here for you so just reach out via email, phone or through my website and we can talk. Email:  [email protected] Phone: +61 439 333 740 www.susandunlop.com.au

Julia Carter, a woman I met 15 years ago, when I purchased an artwork from one of her first exhibitions here in Noosa. Today's conversation with Julia is about where did her creativity stem from, and the incredible journey she's travelled since. Julia took off internationally, for 10 years showcasing her art in exhibitions in Paris, London, Hong Kong, New York and even a medieval castle in Ferrara Italy. Julia's art is magical, to me anyway, in every painting there are so many messages, symbols, sometimes little creatures and a fairly liberal sprinkling of glitter and shimmer. We covered questions that touch on Julia's fondest memories, her pinch-me moments and the accident that led to Julia finding this creative path she's fully embraced. In terms of decades of life for this podcast show, Julia is a woman in her 50s, and therefore we touch on how far she's evolved and what's important to her now. I was so happy to see Julia choose to respond to one question other guests have skirted around: what would make life feel ridiculously fun? That encapsulates Julia's current vision for where to next. There's more, I'll leave you to listen in peace. This is the first episode I have recorded the episode as a video! The video version is over on my YouTube channel: Susan Dunlop Coaching. That is, if you're more a visual kind of person than auditory. I'm Susan Dunlop, personal life coach and professional trainer, also choosing to live in paradise, Noosa, Queensland. The Coffee and Contemplation with Susan podcast is my passion project, bringing women together through shared stories. The guests I've had on to date are women from every decade of life - the youngest being 19 and the most senior being 91. Women from Australia and abroad. In coaching I listen to people's stories daily and in sharing, the side effect is often an increase in self-confidence, an understanding of the gifts we all have, and what we value most. The podcast and the work I do, for people I care about, are therefore a perfect match! Julia's website link in case you are curious to see her work is here. You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook and, if close-by, her studio in Noosa is a gallery of treasures. Take care, Susan Dunlop www.susandunlop.com.au Email: [email protected]

Jaya McIntyre, is a girl born of the '70s in Melbourne and raised on the Sunshine Coast in a Brady Bunch kind of loving and chaotic family. Jaya's childhood was about experiencing festivals and environmental events with her 'hippy' environmentalist parents, fun days in the sun, that led to her love of photography, people-gazing and music.  Now the woman at the helm of her own Empire Art Photography in Mooloolaba, Jaya shares what brings her the most joy from her creative work as a professional photographer. Also, we discuss her belief that most people have a story to tell and how Jaya has constantly improved on her craft, in order to also bring joy to her clients. She has now done that by depicting their stories in photography for more than 20 years. Jaya shares her experience of the shock to find she had breast cancer in her 30s, just as her plans for setting out in business alone were coming together. Also, how having experienced what she did, has added extra layers of resilience and a greater sense of awareness of what she does and does not want in her life now.  One of her loveliest lessons taken, to me, was Jaya's deeper understanding and compassion for another woman, any woman, just like her, who one day might need to go to the shops in her PJs and uggies.  In the title I mentioned Jaya is an inspiring, creative and calming presence. It was an absolute pleasure speaking with this gentle, thoughtful and caring woman today.  I promised to share Jaya's business details here.  You can find her at www.womeninspired.com.au or www.empireartphotography.com.au Hello, I'm Susan Dunlop, a Personal Life Coach and Business Coach, in Noosa, Queensland. All that I offer, where I've come from plus where I'm going can be found at www.susandunlop.com.au.  The Coffee & Contemplation with Susan podcast show is my passion project, a way to have kind-hearted women, from every decade of life take time to pause, reflect on what makes them who they are today, and share that for the benefit of themselves, those they love and people in their communities. The podcast is being listened to in 8 countries across 8 platforms. Episode 40 is coming soon! Take care til then.

Today’s guest I heard about, long before I met her. As a business owner myself here in Noosa for some 20 years, I have always liked hearing news of business successes and applauded businesses focused on providing friendly, safe, respectful, individualised care. That mattered to me back in my days of owning RNS Nursing, and now in coaching.  Kate Davidson, award-winning business woman and owner of the EFM Health Club franchise in Noosaville, takes it absolutely seriously too, in a way that quality service incorporates a magic mix of fun, variety, great music, a good chat, the celebration of consistent effort and achievements of her members.   This episode touches on Kate's life lessons learnt. From acknowledging the reality of crippling social anxiety as a child and the repercussions of that in the form of being the target of bullying; to her decision that she alone had to take the steps to seek help, in her desire to live life on her own terms as a woman.  Kate has consistently stepped up, hurdled over and skipped through health, life and business challenges. Navigating her way through life and business and becoming the woman she is today, Kate shares how she often has to remind herself how far she has come and how: "old me would be so proud of me. In fact, old me would probably not believe that this version of me was for real." We talk on where Kate's life originated; her dreams of what or whom she wanted to be when she grew up; health and life hurdles that she's faced and how she's overcome those; her passion project; what (OK, who) is the most important thing (person) to her in the world now; and what would be the most valuable advice Kate could give 7-year old her, that she wished she'd have received from her own mum when she was 7. Plus Kate's favourite sing-out-loud song revealed! ______________________ As for me, I am a professionally trained coach and NLP practitioner, certified in hypnosis and therapeutic arts coaching; a member of the International Coaching Federation and American Board of Hypnotherapy.   I coach my clients in all areas of life and business.  I offer 1-hour introductory coaching sessions where we talk about what it is you truly desire in your personal life or for your business, and how coaching can help you with making that your reality. If you aren't certain what it is you truly desire, that's just another kind of starting point to put a pin through on your life map and then work forwards from there. You can book a time directly via my website or, if easier, please email me and we can line up a time to suit directly. EASY LINKS TO REACH ME: SEND ME AN EMAIL ONLINE BOOKINGS WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS

Episode 37's guest is Nuray Ozden, a woman in her 40s and 4-years new to the sunny Sunshine Coast in Queensland.  Nuray knew she was going to be a health care professional when she was 3-4 years old, telling her aunty 'one day I will fix your voice'. Before leaving high school Nuray was clear about her career path to become a Speech Pathologist. As a Speech Pathologist of some 25 years' experience, her private speech pathology practice focuses on the whole person. That came about naturally to Nuray, having chosen a non-pharmaceutical path to heal her own body from within, from fibromyalgia, whilst still at university in her early 20s.  Nuray's name can be translated to "a new ray of light" which she portrays in every day life. Nuray shares how she picked herself and her heart back up, over a long 10-year journey of grief, having suffered devastating loss, as a young mum in her early 30s. Nuray saw, from within that dark space, the weak foundations of her marriage; and with courage and determination went about all that was required to leave what didn't serve her behind. With new-found excitement, Nuray took her 2 children, to find what was next for them, something new, something better, someplace different. It was what Nuray referred to as "jumping off the cliff and landing with trust that it just had to work, and there was no doubt she would make it work." A shift of thousands of miles from her established life and career in Melbourne. A 20-hour drive with just 3 suitcases, her 2 children and herself, packed up in her car, to find a new soft spot to land in sub-tropical Queensland. Here, Nuray has started over, bringing her speech pathology patients, her unique holistic approach.  Nuray shared that "we all know when it's time for change and we know when something is completed. Really trust and follow your heart, because your heart will never lead you astray."  Content: If this episode touching upon Nuray's stillbirth affects you, I have sourced details of the Pink Elephants and SANDS support organisations and their chatlines (see below). ________________________ If you have any questions or would like to find out how to contact Nuray, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected] and I can provide you with her details. ______________________ As for me, I am a women's coach in life and business; business mentor and trainer of teen and young women in the skills of life that fall outside of the high school curriculum. I would be only too happy to offer you a discovery call, for a chat about what it is you truly desire in life, and how coaching, mentoring or training can help you with making that your reality. You can book a time directly via my website or, if easier, please email me and we can line up a time to suit directly. EASY LINKS TO REACH ME: SEND ME AN EMAIL ONLINE BOOKINGS WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ________________________ 2 x MISCARRIAGE AND STILLBIRTH SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS WITHIN AUSTRALIA: Pink Elephants SANDS

Content warning - we touch briefly on the topic of Alexandra's experience of sexual abuse. If anything discussed in this podcast causes concern for you, the incredible counsellors at 1800respect are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone on 1800 737 732 or web chat via their website at 1800respect.org.au. ________________ Alexandra Skoeld, is a woman who found her soul's calling, her purpose, as a result of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and what happened to her as a young teen. The light that came from that darkness has led Alexandra to found, then grow, her successful sex and intimacy coaching practice, "Soul Intimacy", in Sydney.  Some of Alexandra's words that stood out the most to me during our podcast chat: "Have a look outside the bedroom first. Do you allow yourself to receive outside the bedroom? Very often as women, we are nurturing everyone else, making sure everyone else has everything they need, before we look after ourselves. Start outside the bedroom and allow yourself to receive. As women, when we allow ourself to be turned on by life; and we allow ourself to feel sexual and sensual; and we access our sexual energy, our creative energy, we are able to move forward towards our goals and dreams; because we are starting to learn to trust the wisdom of our body." We talk about: Alexandra's entry into this field of coaching; the difference between sex therapy, sexology and intimacy & sex coaching. What are the most common worries women and men bring to coaching; and the most common desired outcomes they wish to achieve from working with Alexandra. A tip of the ice-berg chat only, in relation to worry, shame, guilt about masturbation/self-pleasure, unresolved trauma, struggles with body image, feeling safe to fully open, disconnection to our own body and sexuality.  Where is a safe place to start? Alexandra's 6-week online course for women "My Voice, My Body, My Pleasure" starts in early May. That's one safe place to start. The details of Soul Intimacy's instagram page are available via this link: www.instagram.com/soulintimacy If you listen to this episode after May 2021, yet were interested in attending My Voice, My Body, My Pleasure, Alexandra has a waiting list for future dates so please reach out to her via Soul Intimacy directly; and have a chat with her, about whether that course is right for you. Alexandra and I are going to have a further podcast chat after her 6-week course ends in mid-June; so please also feel comfortable to send questions through that she can answer, not just for you, but for the other listeners who might be wondering the same thing.  Thank you Alexandra for sharing your story today. __________________ Do you have questions you'd like me to ask Alexandra in the 2nd episode? Please email me: [email protected]. Coffee and Contemplation with Susan is a podcast of real women doing extraordinary things. A place where stories are shared, for the storyteller's benefit, as well as those listening. I'm Susan Dunlop, a professionally trained life & business coach, from Noosa, Queensland, Australia. If you, or someone you know or love, would like to step up to share your story, please reach out and email me.  Likewise, if you have plans for doing great things, and could do with a thought- and belief-partner, by way of a life or business coach, someone with plenty of experience behind her, email me and we can chat. Take care, Susan Dunlop Professional Coach | NLP Practitioner | Member International Coaching Federation