JD's Journal
Everyone we know has experienced their unique journey of life, and along the way they have had their share of success and failure. Each of us have learned important lessons and gathered valuable resources that have allowed us to survive and thrive. This podcast is a place for sharing our stories and our resources for the benefit of others. It's a celebration of the resilience and tenacity of people in all walks of life, our local heroes.
Welcome aboard!
Episodes
27 episodes
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Kevin Hubschmann: How “Laughter as a Service” Builds Stronger Teams
What if the shortest path to better leadership is a good laugh? We sit down with Kevin Hubschmann, founder of Laugh Dot, to explore how “laughter as a service” and applied improv transform tense rooms into brave ones. Kevin walks us through how...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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1:34:55
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Sara Elizabeth Joyce: Making Movie Magic, Art and Storytelling
A movie producer and director who’s built 15 features. An ethical hacker who loves RF puzzles. A poet and resin artist whose tables glow in the dark. Meet Sara Elizabeth Joyce, whose life makes a single argument: when in doubt, make art and kee...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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1:40:31
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Kim Acosta's Journey: Corporate Recruiter to Entrepreneur
What does it take to leave the security of a corporate career and build a business from scratch? Kim Acosta, founder and CEO of UCentric recruitment, shares her remarkable journey from corporate recruiter to entrepreneur in this candid conversa...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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1:25:23
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Albert Bramante: Overcoming Self-Sabotage - Lessons from Broadway to Business
Albert Bramante sits at a fascinating intersection of psychology, performing arts, and innovation. With 20 years of experience coaching Broadway stars, teaching psychology, and helping people overcome limiting beliefs, he brings unique insights...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:39:57
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From Corporate Chains to Entrepreneurial Freedom: Julian Sequeira's Journey
Take a journey with Julian Sequeira as he shares the raw, unfiltered reality of leaving his corporate Amazon career to build PyBites, a Python education company now making waves globally. This conversation captures the entrepreneur...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:21:34
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Challenging the Immigration Narrative: Finding Humanity in a Fearful World
The world feels increasingly divided. Headlines scream of violence abroad and anti-immigration protests at home. Social media bombards us with reasons to fear those who don't look or sound like us. But are things really worse than they've ever ...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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27:41
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Caroline Clarke: Liberating, Inspiring & Empowering Women
Caroline Clarke's remarkable journey from surviving domestic violence to becoming a transformative trauma coach unfolds in this deeply moving conversation about breaking cycles of generational trauma. With raw honesty, Caroline shares how watch...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:31:34
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Beyond the Bell Curve
Performance management frameworks shape organizational culture in profound ways. Looking beyond traditional models, this episode dives deep into the evolution of how companies evaluate, develop, and sometimes dismiss their talent.We beg...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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33:50
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John Milham: Turning Pain Into Purpose, Suicide Prevention
** Trigger warning** This episode does include some content that may be triggering for some listeners including losing a cherished partner, severe health issues, and men's suicide prevention. What happens when life shatters...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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1:54:44
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Adam Pickstone: A Dancer's Journey to Video Strategist
What happens when a professional dancer decides to trade spotlights for camera lenses? Adam Pickstone's remarkable journey from performing on international stages to founding PixFlix, a thriving video production company, reveals powerful lesson...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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1:28:42
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Leadership by Design: Amazon's 16 Guiding Principles
Curious about what really drives Amazon's success? After eight and a half years working at the tech giant before entering semi-retirement, I'm pulling back the curtain on the 16 Leadership Principles that form the DNA of one of the world's most...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:16:46
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Management by Walking Around: Building Trust Through Engagement
What makes a leader truly unforgettable? It's rarely their technical expertise or business acumen—it's how they make us feel seen, valued, and respected as whole people.Drawing from over four decades of leadership observation and experi...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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24:44
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Career Clarity: Finding Your Way Forward
Career transitions can be overwhelming, especially in today's job market with its frequent layoffs and technological disruptions like AI affecting employment security. Understanding effective strategies for career planning and job hunting is mo...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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38:33
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I'm Back! New Beginnings
After eight and a half years with Amazon and decades in corporate life, I've made the decision to step away and pursue a more balanced life focused on different forms of wealth beyond just financial success.• Crossed 1,000 podcast downl...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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19:50
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Vic Rose: Strategic Career Moves, Cloud Migration, and Life Harmony
Tune in to the latest episode of JD's Journal as I sit down with Vic Rose, an AI Cloud Engineer and founder at EngCloud, to explore his fascinating career journey from Amazon to Microsoft. Vic shares transform...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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52:35
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Harnessing the Power of Constructive Conflict
Can workplace conflict be a driving force behind innovation? Join me on JD's Journal as I explore the surprising benefits of workplace conflict and how it can help foster diverse perspectives and innovation. We'll introduce you to the Thomas-Ki...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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49:54
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Ryion Pun: Leadership Resilience Through Great Change
Can CFOs shift from mere financial gatekeepers to catalysts for sustainable growth? Join us as we chat with Ryion Pun, a visionary strategist and mind shifter, who shares his journey from managing budgets at Amazon Web Services to founding Guis...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:11:17
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The Delicate Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback
Ever wondered how feedback can be likened to navigating a plane's instrument panel? Join me on this insightful episode of JD's Journal as I share my personal experiences with flight simulation and flying lessons to underscore the art of giving ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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38:22
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Andrea Gosselink: From Corporate HR to Career & Leadership Coaching
Discover the art of sustainable living and career transformation through an inspiring dialogue with Andrea Gosselink, a career and leadership coach who transitioned from a high-powered corporate role to a life immersed in permaculture. Andrea’s...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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1:04:51
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Jacqui Dwyer on Musical Theatre, Teaching, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Join me for a heartwarming exploration as my youngest, Jacqui Dwyer, pulls back the curtain on her vibrant journey in musical theatre. Experiencing an international childhood, Jacqui's anecdotes paint a picture of a life rich with creativity an...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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50:12
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Jye Bryant: Composing Musical Theatre, Advocacy and Social Justice
Picture a world where every note in a musical score is a stepping stone towards greater empathy and social justice. That's the vision Jye Bryant brings to life through his Sydney-based theater and educational work. Our latest episode is a symph...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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1:02:06
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Unmasking & Conquering Imposter Syndrome
When the echo of self-doubt whispers insidiously, suggesting we're not deserving of our successes, it's imposter syndrome creeping in—and it's an affliction I've grappled with myself, alongside figures like Sheryl Sandberg and David Bowie. JD's...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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20:52
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Julian Sequeira: Python and Mindset Mastery
Have you ever wondered how a tech enthusiast morphs into an influential mindset coach? That's the story of Julian Sequeira, our guest whose journey from AWS professional to empowering leader is nothing short of remarkable. His insights on perso...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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1:02:08
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Claudette Rechtorik's Crusade for Our Oceans and Youth
Have you ever wondered how one person's passion can ignite a global movement? Claudette Rechtorik, the driving force behind Ocean Youth, joins us to share her powerful story. Her journey from a student discovering a later-in-life love for envir...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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1:14:51
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Aidan Grimes on Legacy, Empowerment, and the Kokoda Spirit
Embark with us as we traverse the emotional landscapes of resilience and self-discovery with Aidan Grimes, a beacon of empowerment whose legacy with Microsoft and Our Spirit is as captivating as the historical Kokoda Track he's crossed so many ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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1:37:36