In this episode of the Voice of Influence podcast, host Andrea chats with Monique Farmer who recently released her book 'Chart Your Path.' Monique shares her extensive background in PR and education, her experiences in federal public affairs, and her journey of personal growth which led her to write her book. They discuss Monique's experiences on a leadership panel, the process of writing and launching her book, the inspiration behind it, and her nine-step method for getting unstuck in life. Monique also delves into her motivations, career transitions, and the importance of self-study, autonomy, and accepting what one cannot control. She offers practical advice on creating meaningful communication strategies and the importance of staying connected with oneself and others in professional life.

Monique Farmer, APR, runs a PR/Communication Consultancy, Avant Solutions, and is the creator of Anvil Ready, an online communication strategy builder that aids the communication professional in creating communication plans. She teaches at the University of Texas at Austin. Farmer previously served in federal government public affairs for 12 years, as the director of communications for Nebraska’s largest school district and in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods (now ConAgra Brands). Monique is the author of the recent release, Chart Your Path.

Andrea Wenburg welcomes Elena Agaragimova to the podcast, highlighting her remarkable transition from academia to impactful roles in global corporations. In her high-impact role at a tech consulting firm, Elena brings belief in the untapped capabilities of the human mind, integrating neuroscience to maximize effectiveness. She's also a sought-after speaker delivering messages that resonate with audiences from New York to Dubai.

Elena shares her passion for human potential, discussing the similarities in talent development challenges across various professional levels and the importance of integrating neuroscience in programs. She provides a critical view on current corporate investments in talent development and offers practical insights into what makes talent development truly effective, emphasizing physical health, mindset, and workplace culture. Elena also shares actionable steps for organizations to improve engagement and retention while fostering a continuous learning environment.

When the storms of life come, it’s natural for us to focus on how we can protect ourselves and our families, teams, and people we care about. But it’s also in the storms of life where we find out who we really are - what we’re really capable of. So why are we trying to shelter others from the opportunity to find strength inside themselves?

In this episode, Andrea tells about the story of a family caught in a tornado, parents trapped in the vehicle, and the 9 year old child who found something extraordinary in himself to run and find help to save his parent’s lives. And she shares 3 things you can do to provide that opportunity to those in your care.

Video About Boy in Tornado

How does the US Army Corps of Engineers utilize civilian employees to accomplish its mission to to secure our Nation, energize our economy, and reduce disaster risk? In this episode, Andrea speaks with the Commander of the USACE - Omaha District, COL Robert J. Newbauer about the vital mission and opportunity of the Army Corps of Engineers, and how civilians serve the country by creating engineering solutions for the Nation’s toughest challenges. They discuss COL Newbauer’s passion for leadership development and his emphasis on self-awareness.

Corey Poirier is a speaker, podcaster and author and we're here today to talk about his new book "The Enlightened Passenger" where he shares wisdom gained from interviewing over 7,000 thought leaders for his podcast. This is a fun interview where Andrea and Corey discuss the impact of mindset on success.

Dr. Robin Hills is a business psychologist and the director of ‘E i 4 Change’. A company specializing in emotional intelligence for change in educational training, coaching, and personal development - focused around emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience.

Awarded “International Impact Company of the Year” - Award Winner by Dotcom Magazine in 2024.

With the most comprehensive and detailed courses around the topic of emotional intelligence, Robin has taught and empowered more than 400,000 people across 195+ countries.
He is an accomplished author and keynote speaker.

Awarded “Best Transformative Emotional Intelligence Coach” - of the Year 2024, by The CIO Times, and “Men Leaders to Look Up To” by Passion Vista magazine.

Early 2024, Robin was presented an Honorary Doctorate in Advanced Studies in Psychology in recognition of his contribution to Emotional Intelligence training.

Wes Rhea was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He is a healthcare executive, author, educator, and former professional wrestler.
Wes started his career as a professional wrestler in the late 1980s, which ran through the mid-1990s, while wrestling for various promotions throughout the Southeast. While in the corporate sector, Wes held executive-level positions as a Vice President, Corporate Compliance Officer, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Compliance Officer in the telecommunications, financial, and healthcare industries. Wes was a Senior Lecturer at Kennesaw State University, teaching at the undergraduate and executive MBA programs, and held administrative roles while serving as a career coach.
Wes holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Master of Business Administration MBA), and Juris Doctor (JD) as well as professional certifications from Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Johns Hopkins University.

Effective knowledge transfer is vital for organizational resilience and success, but many people resist writing SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures). In this week's episode Andrea highlights common reasons people resist passing on knowledge at work and how supervisors can help. Is knowledge transfer a priority in your company in 2024?

Become a part of the conversation! Take a look at our upcoming virtual conversations, register via the links, and mark your calendars:

• Better, Faster, Cheaper: Lessons in Fostering Workforce Agency with Lt COL Marci Toler
• The Inside Innovator: Playbook for Empowering Intrapreneurs with author Louis K. Gump
• Engaging Gen Z in a Tight Labor Market

Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with fellow leaders, gain valuable insights, and shape the future of work in your organization. The Voice of Influence team looks forward to welcoming you to our community of forward-thinking leaders.