Intro To 7:47 Conversations Podcast

As Host Chris Schembra reminds us at the close of this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, it’s never too late to learn something new – IF we’re willing to take a pause, step back and offer ourselves grace. And few people embody this practice more vividly than his guest, Allison Hare, who is redefining what it looks like to be a so-called late bloomer. As the host of “Late Learner,” a popular podcast (formerly known as Culture Changers) that explores what it means to open up to new things at any stage of life, she encourages us to embrace spontaneity, authenticity and the unexpected. Having grown up programmed from childhood to be hard-charging, self-supporting and financially aspirational, Allison spent many years as a highly successful sales executive. Problem was, over time, the path she was on was depleting her – and burning through her creative energy. It wasn’t easy to shake everything up and risk her secure status quo, but the outcome is undeniable. This is a woman who radiates joy and positivity.

Passionate. Smart. Honest. Nice. These may not be your typically hard-charging business terms but for Chris Jackson, President at Stream Realty, they are bywords for long-term growth and success. As Host Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times explains, the commercial real estate powerhouse has long prioritized a human-centric approach – with amazing results! Chris sand his team at Stream foster not only a healthy workplace culture but resilience and retention of top talent. From the most senior leadership to the most recent hire – the shared mission is all about emphasizing integrity, authenticity, family and loyalty to the brand. It’s clearly a recipe that’s working! Over the past 20 years, Chris and his team have built this privately held company into a $5.8 million revenue juggernaut with 294 million square feet of real estate under management around the nation. You’ll learn about Chris’s 25-year marriage, a partnership that exemplifies the power of unconditional support, as

As Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times demonstrates every day, bringing an attitude of gratitude to the sales process fosters the kinds of quality relationships that are foundational to long-term success. Alex Ridder, VP for Global Accounts at The Adecco Group in Switzerland, has helped make the $20 billion-a-year global recruitment company the powerhouse that it is by emphasizing connection. And there’s nothing squishy about it! As you’ll hear highlighted throughout the show, studies and research clearly demonstrate that emotion and promotion go hand-in-hand. Chris and Alex talk about the importance of bringing empathy into the workplace, whether through expressing appreciation for team members’ efforts or building trust relationships with clients. Alex explains why transactional sales are self-limiting and while holding space for people to explore pain points and reach out for support opens up infinite consultative possibility. Human interaction, these two gratitude gurus

What if everyone’s overarching go-to-market strategy were kindness? Well, for Host Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, it’s a concept that has been central to building a $200 million company. CEO Sam Jacobs launched Pavilion, his membership-based leadership community, after coming to a deep understanding of something very basic: We start to gain when we learn to let go. He is sharing with us the human-centric elements that are foundational not only for successful business ventures but for successful (i.e. peaceful and meaningful) lives. Sam explains how he moved away from grasping and attachment to outcomes in favor of something more authentic expansive. You’ll come away from this heart-centered conversation with a clear understanding of the interplay between how we talk to ourselves and what we offer the world; why failure can be our friend and how to take a long-term approach that replaces the transactional with ongoing connectedness, personal fulfillment and long-term bu

This episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times features Josh Golden, CMO at the marketing powerhouse Quad, who is unpacking his special brand of digital marketing and communications magic. It’s no coincidence that he has blazed a trail by making transformational inroads at legacy companies like Xerox, Ad Age and NBC Universal. As he explains to Host Chris Schembra, Josh believes “when you connect people together and are a positive influence, they kind of want to do hard things!” This consummate connector shares with us the “why” that drives both his humanity and humility. As two A+ students of gratitude, Chris and Josh share insights into falling in love with what we do in life – an intentional process that can be cultivated with patience and kindness towards others as well as ourselves.Enjoy this heartfelt conversation about the art and science behind effective leadership as well as the challenges Josh has navigated while acquiring the tools necessary to guide organizations – and inspire teams – to bring their

Even though he ran the sprint as a member of the track team at Cornell, Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times looks at life as a marathon. Steven Izen, the hugely successful entrepreneur behind Lokai bracelets with meaning and plant-powered Elements Drinks, shares insights into how he has taken a personal obstacle (dyslexia) and leveraged it as a superpower and why giving his team time off on Fridays is good for both individual and corporate health. This far-ranging conversation takes a look at humility, balance and the importance of connection (especially in our often disconnected and remote post-pandemic world). You’ll enjoy learning about the alone-but-not-lonely practices that nourish Steven professional and personally as well as the power he has found in releasing attachment and emotional reaction to outcomes. He and Chris wrap up with a call to action: Energy is paramount! So remember always ton promote positivity and self-care for yourself and those around you. “If you

The data are in – and impressive! Plant therapy is incredibly healing, a documented anxiety reducer that can even ease depression. What is it about the power of putting our hands in the soil? Host Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times illuminates the magic ingredient: The gratitude we cultivate when we stay in the present moment, which is the core mission of Founder Donna Letier’s experiential gardening company, Gardenuity. A hit especially with corporate leaders interested in promoting empathy and reflection among team members across the enterprise, Gardenuity offers a platform not only to focus and quiet our attention but also to access the joy to be found in the simple act of getting dirty. You’ll learn on this podcast about the complementary app Donna has developed specifically to help us stay in the now, where misting our plants and tending our gardens is a first step towards opening our hearts and bonding with others. “When you actually see and witness plants’ growth, it

SUMMARYIs your wounded inner child still in charge of your emotional playlist? Maybe it’s time to update the soundtrack of your life! Host Chris Schembra’s amazing guest on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times has developed a powerful program based on an interesting trifecta of tools for growth. As Susan Drumm explains in her new book, "The Leader's Playlist: Unleash the Power of Music and Neuroscience to Transform Your Leadership Style and Your Life," when paired with our most authentic selves, neuroscience and music can shift ingrained habits of thought with transformational results. Her concrete case studies illustrate how our brains can be highjacked – or healed – by the “anchor songs” we play in our heads. As CEO of Meritage Leadership Development, Susan’s mission is nothing less than ushering in a new era of enlightened leadership. How? By shifting often outdated ideas and associations embedded within our deeply grooved neural pathways, we can reimagine the background music that sets the tone fo

SUMMARYIf you’ve ever struggled with the idea of meditation, try this out: How about no beads, no sitting cross-legged, no chants or ashram journeys? The transcendental practice developed by Host Chris Schembra’s guest on this episode of the Gratitude Through Hard Time podcast speaks to all of us who want to embody our deepest visions but find our busy minds get in the way. Vishen Lakhiani’s practice, "The Six Phase Guided Meditation," skips the things that make mindfulness a challenge – especially for frenetic, creative entrepreneurs. As he lays out in his new book, coming out this week, his program’s goals are transformational not because of a series of disciplines or rituals but because they bring alignment in the most direct, simplest of ways.Vishen’s journey to wholeness began 20 years ago, when he abandoned a burnout job in Silicon Valley. That decision to look for a deeper connection with himself and others has culminated in the fundamentals he spells out in his compelling new book, "The Six Phase Guid

SUMMARYCuriosity. Care. Compassion. Connection. As we learn on this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times with Host Chris Schembra, these words define Kapil Sharma’s highly successful career as a leader known for bringing out the best in his teams. As Chief Transformation Officer at Microsoft India, he has brought home tools and lessons learned over 12 years living abroad in order to pay forward to others – particularly those who are fearful or marginalized. Throughout his career Kapil has seized opportunities and pushed himself hard, always with a sense of gratitude and commitment to giving back the gifts he has received. And for that deep well of both humanity and tenacity? Kapil gives a big tip of the hat to his mother, who lavished care and support on him from an early age. It was this foundation that enabled Kapil to take off, broaden his horizons and return to inspire others through his work transforming workplace cultures, tech stacks and customer relationships in Bengaluru (also known as Bangalore)

The stars align on this episode of the Gratitude Through Hard Times podcast when two Italian empaths get together for a conversation about mentorship, leadership and personal growth that happens to coincide with the 7:47 Club’s seven anniversary. Host Chris Schembra welcomes Matt Tedesco, VP & General Manager for  Americas East at the iconic furniture design company MillerKnoll, for a lively give-and-take about his passion for coaching and unique approach to group engagement and retention. It all starts with embracing the journey! They reflect on the pitfalls of results-oriented management, strategies for getting out from under social constructs that do not serve and the compounding power of positivity. Matt highlights a pivotal spiritual moment that has shaped his value system and explains how vulnerability has empowered him  — as a coach, an artist, a musician, a father, friend and colleague. Self-awareness is foundational to all the other elements that connect us with each other, says Matt, helping us

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." This proverb is old but will always ring true. In this episode of Gratitude Through Hard Times, Chris welcomes David Goldstein, the Founder and Creator of Opportunities at TeamBonding, the leading creator and provider of virtual, hybrid, and in-person team building events. Listen in as Chris and David discuss the power of play, team building, creating opportunities, and developing a mindset of gratitude to propel your life forward.“We need to get to places and have experiences that allow people to have fun together, to play together, to meet each other, to trust each other. This is what life is about. It’s not about going to work, it’s about the things that work opens up for you.” – David GoldsteinDavid shares his origination story, from landing on the front page of the Wall Street Journal as a 26-year-old to running a team building company that hosts thousands of events for the world’s biggest companies every year. He highlights the importance of sharing your cre

Sarah Fern is Chief People Officer of Velocity Global, a global Employer of Record organization with over nine hundred employees scattered around the globe.   Fresh off the heels of a $400 million Series B, they are one of the world's leading firms as an employer of record.  Employer record organizations help with global expansion. They help with global hiring, timely and accurate payroll processing ongoing compliance with local labor laws, additional HR related tasks, in layman's terms that you're watching this. If you have a company and you want to expand into a global market, They are the team to help you do it. As Chief People Officer, Sarah is responsible for overseeing the people side of this fast growing company. In today's episode, we go deep.  We chat about how Sarah's parents instinctively put trust in her at a young age.  How she used books as an early escape.  She learned early on that life is about giving gratitude to the hard times we've been through, especially in the face of adversity.In this

The Colorado Business Hall of Fame says this of the 2008 inductee: “Harry Frampton has made developing some of the world’s premier ski resort towns an art form. Combining keen business sense with a respect for culture and sport, Frampton works to provide visitors and residents of these bustling towns with a well-rounded experience.” The founding partner of East West Partners is also a principal of Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, putting him in the center of virtually every significant development and real estate transaction in the Vail Valley. From 1982 to 1986, Harry was president of Vail Associates, Inc., and he is also chairman of the board of the Vail Valley Foundation and former President Gerald R. Ford’s World Forum. In those roles, he has been instrumental in bringing more cultural and world-class sporting venues and events to the valley, raising its international profile and enhancing the experience for guests and residents alike.Mr. Frampton has been named to the International Ski Hall of Fa

Shannon is the Chief Executive Officer of Beacon Pointe Advisors, the largest female-led Registered Investment Advisory (RIA) firm in the country serving private clients, foundations, and retirement plans. Prior to launching Beacon Pointe, Shannon served as Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at Roxbury Capital Management and oversaw the socially responsible investment (SRI) platform for several years. Shannon is a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council and is regularly featured in The Wall Street Journal, InvestmentNews, Barron’s, Forbes, Financial Planning Magazine, among other publications. In 2018 she was presented with the UC Irvine Lauds & Laurels Award and in 2017 the Orange County Business Journal Women in Business Award. Through Shannon’s passion for financial education, she is a founding member of the Beacon Pointe Women’s Advisory Institute and co-authored Your Dollars, Our Sense: A Fun and Simple Guide to Money Matters, an international best-selling book that has ranked #1 in

Teams and businesses all over the world are growing. And having a growing team means that the culture changes every time somebody new is added, hopefully for the better. New additions mean the dynamic within team change, creating either positive or negative friction. As a leader, you have to absorb these things and drive the business forward. You have to have a passion for the people and want to do genuinely good for them.Gareth Giles Knopp has a passion for people.Gareth is a British skeptic, hard-nosed man, raised in post-World War II United Kingdom, who now sits as Chief Customer Officer and General Manager of North America Board International. Board is a wonderful technology company that empowers businesses to operate on a flexible all-in-one decision-making platform.Gareth has been with the organization for many years, starting when the valuation was about $75 million, and now Board is valued at over $1.5 billion.In this episode, Gareth shares his passions for people inside and outside the corporate worl

What do astronauts, Olympic champions, and Nobel laureates do differently that allows them to achieve at such a high level?High achievers share the same four attributes: intrinsic motivation, perseverance, strong foundation, constantly learning through informal means. The key to their success is that they do all four of these things simultaneously.Ruth Gotian’s latest book, The Success Factor, outlines the approach that individuals aspiring to improve their performance can adopt.Dr. Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Assistant Professor of Education in Anesthesiology and former Assistant Dean of Mentoring and Executive Director of the Mentoring Academy at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by the journal Nature and Columbia University as an expert in mentorship and leadership development. In 2021, she was selected as one of 30 people worldwide to be named to the Thinkers50 Radar List, dubbed the Oscars of management thinking, and recently won the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement “Radar

Planning for the end of your life is like pre-gratitude. Pre-gratitude in the sense that it's going to happen, it's going to hurt; how do you make something beautiful out of it?Sandy Gibson has the solution for making death into something beautiful by creating a better place than the traditional cemetery.Sandy Gibson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Better Place Forests, a sustainable alternative to cemeteries for families who choose cremation.When Sandy was a young boy, he lost his father to a stroke and his mother to cancer. After years of visiting their graves in a dreary Toronto cemetery, Sandy began to imagine what a better place to remember his parents might look like. In 2015, he founded Better Place Forests with his two best friends to give every family the chance to visit and remember the people they love in nature.Based in San Francisco, Better Place launched America’s first conservation memorial forests in 2017 and has raised more than $55M in venture capital. Better Place has been featured in the New

Leaders of today have had to reevaluate where and how they do their business. How they used to lead may not be as effective in our ever-changing virtual world.Heather Hansen O’Neill knows that the ‘office’ resides within you and that you can lead from wherever you are. With the right tools and strategies, your leadership can evolve with the times.Heather is an international keynote speaker, behavioral expert, author of Find Your Fire and Teams on Fire! and co-author of Where’s the Office?Moving Today’s Leaders from What IS to What CAN BE. Heather is also a 2x TEDx speaker and host of the popular podcast From Fear to Fire. She stimulates vibrant energy, focus, and action for those who want to collaborate effectively, lead change, and achieve massive results.Heather’s mission is to open leaders’ minds and hearts to the possibility within them.In this episode, Heather shares critical lessons in her new book, Where’s the Office?.Listen to this episode and learn about:Heather giving credit and thanks to her mom, C

It can be hard to slow down enough to consider long-term goals in our fast-paced world. Especially when social media constantly shows us the successes and accolades of everyone we know.But to create a meaningful life, we need to slow down enough to reflect on the past and prepare for our future.Dorie Clark teaches us to play the long game to reorient ourselves to see the big picture.Dorie has been named one of the Top 50 business thinkers in the world by Thinkers50, and was recognized as the #1 Communication Coach in the world by the Marshall Goldsmith Leading Global Coaches Awards. Clark, a consultant and keynote speaker, teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School, and she is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Long Game, Entrepreneurial You, *Reinventing You* and Stand Out, which was named the #1 Leadership Book of the Year by Inc. magazine. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, Clark has been described by the New York Times as