Conscious Enterprises

Dr. Karuna Sabnani treats disease with modalities beyond conventional medication – she believes that optimum health can be achieved through approaches that value what nature has to offer, herbalism, contemplation, and most notably, feeding your senses. As a speaker and teacher of the principles of pleasure, Dr. Karuna is a naturopathic doctor with a deep understanding of holistic health.I feel a personal appreciation for her work because I have found that my own journey back to wellness has depended on fostering a more nature-centric approach to life and an awareness that “consumption” is a lot more than what you eat. Dr. Karuna’s work validates all of this for me.We discuss so much in this conversation, including naturopathic vs conventional healthcare, pleasure as medicine, and some great wellness tips to get you through the holiday season. Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions:Founder of Karuna Naturopathic HealthcareNatural & Naturopathic Medicine Experthttp://www.karunanaturopathic.com/Creator of The Real Detox + Pleasure RxTopics discussed in this conversation include:Dr. Karuna at Conscious Enterprises panel event at Donna Karan’s Urban ZenWhat exactly is Naturopathic & Ayurvedic medicine? How does it differ from conventional medicine?Some issues that Dr. Karuna sees with conventional medicine today and how Ayurvedic principles fill these gaps?How Dr. Karuna got into medicinePleasure and “pleasure as medicine” The connection between Pleasure and Purpose?How business leaders can utilize an understanding of pleasure to improve their businessThe difference between pleasure-seeking or instant gratification type pleasure VS sustainable pleasure or “fulfillment”Everyone is concerned with COVID and health these days - how Dr. Karuna thinks the pandemic is affecting our ability to reach optimum wellnessWellness tips for professionals working from home these daysHoliday advice from Dr. Karuna  Dr. Karuna’s measure of “success” How Dr. Karuna sees the world evolving 10 years from now Valuable advice you for professionals and entrepreneursBio:Dr. Karuna Sabnani is founder of Karuna Naturopathic Healthcare. She works virtually with patients internationally.  She has been on national television networks including The Dr. Oz show. Her advice has appeared in a variety of publications including Cosmopolitan, Business Insider, Yoga Journal, Martha Stewart, and Allure Magazines.Dr. Karuna applies Ayurvedic philosophy, and the healing power of nature with her patients. For over 15 years, patients have come to Dr. Sabnani to learn how to get a lean body, restful sleep, restored energy, clear skin, strong digestion and stress reduction.  They often feel a sense of ease, balance and health after following Dr. Sabnani’s suggestions. She works with patients nationally + internationally.  She has been the health and beauty advisor to supermodel IMAN’S company, Iman Cosmetics. She has been a writer for The Huffington Post and her advice has been sought after in Cosmo, Yoga Journal and Allure Magazines. She speaks worldwide about the importance of beauty + pleasure in Wellness.  She launched the PLEASURE RX course and the Five Sense Experience in 2019.  www.karunanaturopathic.comTwitterFacebookInstagram Pinterest  

Rian Doris is the co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of the Flow Research Collective, studying, deconstructing and training peak performance and flow states for leaders.Alongside 8X Nationally Best-Selling Author Steven Kotler (one of the world’s leading speakers, researchers and authors in neuroscience and peak performance), Rian has drawn from his own personal challenges with mental health and performance to create the science-based approach in their research and training.I’m especially thrilled to have connected with Rian and the Flow Research Collective because they are boosting the evolution of leadership by training leaders to understand their own brains on a neurobiological, psychological and chemical level.Rian shares an abundance of useful resources in this conversation, linked below, but most notably, be sure to check out his TEDx Talk, Why Hustle Doesn’t Lead to Success. It’s a goodie:)  Click here to listen on Spotify Click here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts  Recognitions:Co-Founder & COO, Flow Research CollectiveTEDx Talk:Why Hustle Doesn’t Lead to Success: Topics discussed in this conversation include:Rian’s background and a childhood dealing with a head injury growing up in IrelandMotivation and interest in personal development, philosophy, consciousness, flow states and peak performanceTony RobbinsRian’s educational background in Philosophy and Masters Degree in Applied NeuroscienceKeith Ferazzi & Never Eat AloneThought leaders who brought mindfulness to the west: Dr. Dan Siegel , Jon Kabat Zinn , Jack KornfieldSteven Kotler & Stealing Fire (all of you interested in this conversation should read this book!)Steven Kotler’s rigorous scientific approach to flowPeter DiamandisHow Rian went from an admiring fan to business partner with Steven KotlerHow Rian’s struggles with mental health and performance due to his brain injury has helped him understand and connect to the work at the Flow Research Collective so deeplyWhat is “Flow”? How flow effects performance, wellbeing, creativity, learning, happiness, etc.Martin Seligman, father of positive psychologyTraining consciousness shifts into flow22 Flow Triggers to access flow statesCertain activities that inherently induce flowFlow CycleHerb Benson & The Breakout PrincipleFlow BlockersBest strategies to remove blockers before building triggersRian’s personal flow triggers and strategies for eliminating distraction“Knowledge Work” – flow follows focus“Flow Hygiene” – priming your system - how nutrition, exercise, sleep and general wellness influence flow statesSocial support is as crucial as food physiologically and psychologicallyHow business leaders can utilize flow states to increase performance or maximize their impactMihai Csikszentmihalyi – “The Godfather of Flow Psychology”Group Flow:“Yes, and….”VulnerabilityRiskFamiliarityEqual ParticipationShared GoalsClose ListeningEfficient OperationsThe dark side of flowFlow Strategy: identifying your process of getting into flowHacks for professionals working from homeDopamine & NorepinephrineDropping cognitive loadEnvironmental boundaries vs time boundariesTransition RitualsBreathwork vs MindfulnessJames Nestor & BreathRian’s TED Talk – “Why Hustle Doesn’t Lead to Success”Rian explains why hustle doesn’t lead to success from the perspective of effort and productivityMaximizing output from the least amount of input – “doing more with less”Strategic timingDelegating effectivelyEliminationProductivity declines after 35 hours per weekMcKenzie StudyRian’s definition of success and how he measures himself on successEarl NightingdaleHow Rian sees the world evolving 10 years from now and how he sees himself contributing to itThe Future is Faster Than You ThinkValuable advice from Rian for entrepreneurs and professionalsWhat happens in the brain during sleep Dr. Andrew Huberman – Board of Directors, Flow Research CollectiveYoga Nidra for sleep Bio:Rian Doris is the Co-Founder & COO at the Flow Research Collective, a research and training institute focused on decoding the neuroscience of flow states and training leaders to achieve peak performance.Rian lives at the intersection of entrepreneurship and academia—from starting his first business at age 18 to studying Philosophy in Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Applied Neuroscience at King's College, London. On the academic side, Rian has lead research initiatives with Imperial College London, University of Southern California, the University of Zurich and Deloitte. On the entrepreneurial side, Rian has worked intimately with numerous world-leading experts in peak performance such as Keith Ferrazzi, Dr. Dan Siegel, and Steven Kotler, his partner at Flow Research Collective. Rian has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, TedX and Big Think.  

WORK-LIFE AFTER COVID: Wondering how to stay healthy and sane as we emerge out of our stay-at-home orders? In this live-feed episode from Conscious Enterprises’ instagram account (@conscious.enterprises), we discuss challenges, shifts and precautions that businesses and professionals are making during times of global pandemic, as well as valuable tips to keep your immune system strong during these bizarre times.Dr. Rafatjah shares with us her own personal experiences as a business owner during quarantine before providing many useful tips to stay healthy, sane and fit. She also advocates for regenerative farming techniques. Click here to listen on Spotify Click here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Bio:Dr. Soyona Rafatjah is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Co-Founder and Medical Director of PrimeHealth. Dr. Rafatjah is passionate about helping her patients reach their health goals. She helps them to address the root cause of their issues and focuses on disease prevention in addition to treatment. With the knowledge and tools she gives them, her patients feel in control of their own health.Through an intimate, patient-physician partnership, and a whole-body approach, she and her patients develop a personalized treatment plan which adjusts to their needs and environment over time.Resources & Links from this episode:PrimeHealthHome Exercise Equipment:resistance bandskettlebellspull up barsDesk EllipticalCubiiStanding DeskUpliftRegenerative FarmingCorner Post MeatsWhite Oak PasturesWild PasturesUS Wellness MeatsVital Choice (fish)Supplements:Online Store

What makes a person influential in an age of distrust? Advertising and marketing master, Jason Harris has cracked the code and shares his introspective principles and character-building habits in his bestselling book, The Soulful Art of Persuasion. Jason Harris is the co-founder and CEO of Mekanism, a creative agency serving brands such as Ben & Jerry’s, OK Cupid and HBO. He’s also founded the Creative Alliance, a consortium of 100 ad agencies using their advertising powers for good by creating socially impactful campaigns. Under his leadership, Mekanism was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-list, twice to their Best Places to Work, and to the Creativity 50. Jason has been named in the Top 10 Most Influential Social Impact Leaders as well as the 4A’s list of “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.” His methods are studied in cases at Harvard Business School.Some highlights from this conversation include Jason’s career and challenges in advertising, his work for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, seeking fulfillment, why he founded the Creative Alliance, how he learned to become “soulfully persuasive”, how Jason measures success and valuable advice for professionals and entrepreneurs. Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions: Co-Founder & CEO of MekanismAlaska Airlines, Ben & Jerry’s, OkCupid, HBO, MillerCoors, Peloton, The United NationsCo-Founder of the Creative AllianceGlobal Board of Directors, Advertising WeekBoard of Directors, United Nations Social Impact Leadership CouncilAuthor, The Soulful Art of Persuasion Topics discussed in this conversation include: Jason’s upbringing and how he got into advertisingA first job working for Miller CoorsAttributes that make a successful CEOThe type of corporate culture that makes an agency thriveRetaining talentThe United Nations Social Impact Leadership CouncilSustainable Development GoalsWhy Jason founded The Creative Alliance Using advertising powers for goodWorking with the Obama-Biden administration on social good campaignsUsing advertising powers for goodWhy Jason wrote The Soulful Art of PersuasionHow to get organized to write a bookThe four main principles in The Soulful Art of PersuasionHow Jason has transformed into authenticity and vulnerability and learned to embody the principles of becoming soulfully persuasive over the course of two decadesHow to train yourself to become more generousMisconceptions about empathyJason’s definition of empathy and why it’s so valuable in persuasionWhy you should use positive persuasion when negative persuasion can be so effectiveAxe Body SprayConscious Enterprises at Advertising Week panel Meditation takes many formsJason’s morning routine Gratitude journaling with kids Jason’s measure of his success professionally vs personallyNew Group Therapy The evolution of purpose-driven workMind-body connectionsValuable advice for professionalsBio:Jason Harris is the CEO of the award-winning creative agency Mekanism and the cofounder of the Creative Alliance. Harris works closely with brands through a blend of soul and science to create provocative campaigns that engage audiences. Iconic brands include Peloton, Ben & Jerry’s, MillerCoors, HBO, and the United Nations. Under his leadership, Mekanism was named to Ad Age’s Agency A-list, twice to their Best Places to Work, and to the Creativity 50. Harris has been named in the Top 10 Most Influential Social Impact Leaders, as well as the 4A’s list of “100 People Who Make Advertising Great.” His methods are studied in cases at Harvard Business School.  

If you want some reassurance that big corporations and major luxury brands are leading the evolution of business, this episode is for you. Hannah Bronfman is the Director of Sustainability & Impact for all the Starwood Hotels & Resorts properties, including the 1 Hotels and the Baccarat Hotels. She has a zest for her work and an expertises that is incomparable.As a passionate proponent of luxury and consciousness coexisting, I have always had a special admiration for brands like 1 Hotels in particular. If you’ve ever had the pleasure at staying at one of their properties, dining at one of their sustainable or zero-waste restaurants, or perhaps even attending a Conscious Enterprises LIVE event at one of their locations, you know that the ambiance exudes luxury, while holding an equally prominent respect to nature. And this exquisite balance that they have struck clearly comes from deep within the company and their leadership.If there’s one thing that is apparent, by the sheer existence of this role and this perfectly suited impact-maker, about their CEO, Barry Sternlicht and his SH Group, it’s that he clearly understands that making an impact on the world externally comes from cleaning up his internal systems and processes within the organization. And that’s exactly what Hannah seems to live to do. In this conversation we discuss Hannah’s fine tuned training in green buildings, engineering  and environmentally minded city planning, the global definition of sustainability vs a personal definition of sustainability, waste management, bedtime stories and how the world is evolving. Click here to listen on Spotify Click here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions: Director of Sustainability & Impact for SH Group: Starwood Hotels & Resorts (1 Hotels & Baccarat Hotel)Teaches at Columbia University about green buildingsBackground in program implementation on corporate real estate and hospitalityTrained as an Engineer10 years of experience as a sustainability and green buildings expertTopics discussed in this conversation include: Hannah’s fine tuned training for green buildings in citiesWhat appeals to Hannah about environmental planningFrom Portland to NYCHow New York City compares to other cities in sustainabilitySustainability by a global definition VS personal definitionThe initiatives Hannah is working on to keep the 1 Hotels and SH Group properties sustainable and impactfulWaste ManagementSome things that the average person within a corporation or the average business can do to make themselves more impactful or sustainableBalancing the scales of luxury and sustainability Barry SternlichtLEED CertificationLow VOC paints (volatile organic compound)Why running is just as much for mental health as physical health Calm app for meditationBedtime storiesHow Hannah measures successUsing metrics to measure a team’s accomplishmentsBeing obsessed with waste Misfits Market Hannah’s view of a world evolution towards simplificationValuable advice for professionals committed to impact, sustainability and consciousnessBio:Hannah Bronfman is the Director of Impact and Sustainability for SH Group. Hannah has over 10 years of experience as a sustainability and green building expert, including a background in program implementation and communications with a special focus on corporate real estate and hospitality. She has worked with organizations to incorporate sustainability across their business practices, from corporate-level initiatives and policies to building-portfolio management. In her role, Hannah works with our property and corporate teams to enhance our sustainability strategy, implement new programs, and ensure that our sustainable business and building strategies bolster the 1 Hotels brand. Hannah joined SH Group from WSP USA (formerly YR&G) where she was the Director of the Corporate Sustainability Team. Key clients included Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Tishman Speyer, The Dust Organization, and the US Green Building Council. Prior to WSP, Hannah held technical positions within MEP engineering firms, working specifically on green building design and operations of buildings. Hannah is currently an adjunct faculty member at Columbia University teaching courses on sustainable construction management. Hannah holds a bachelor’s degree in General Science and Geography from the University of Oregon. Additionally, she studied visual communications at the Pacific Northwest College of Arts.

Imagine if happiness was not just your personal mission in life, but you made it your career goal to spread happiness. Arnaud Collery is not just an expert in happiness, but is living this mission to make happiness a profession and a system in businesses and organizations. After a diverse career in finance, acting and film, Arnaud found his fulfillment by indoctrinating Chief Happiness Officers across the globe. Beyond teaching programs that create sustainable happiness for leaders and organizations, Arnaud is also reaching the masses through his event series, Standup for Passion. His TedX talks are a must-watch if you are interested in how we can begin to make happiness a measurable value for businesses and society.At the time of filming this interview, Arnaud was living in NYC, but has since moved back to Bordeaux as he continues international events. Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions:Founder of Standup for PassionGlobal Chief Happiness Officer CEO of Kikai Mining (Happiness Innovation Agency)Leadership Coach & Team Building TrainerAuthor, “Mr. Happiness”TedX Speaker:Ted X Lille "La passion, le moteur de notre vie" April 2018Ted X Maastricht. "Share your story before you die!" November 2016Ted X Aruba. "What is a Chief Happiness Officer" September 2015.Comedian, Actor, Artist Topics discussed in this conversation include:Arnaud’s extraordinarily international life, beginning in ChampagneWhere Arnaud believes needs the most happiness workThe personal tragedy in Arnaud’s personal life that was the catalyst for him becoming so engrossed in happinessThe least and most fulfilling parts of Arnaud’s diverse careerGallup stat that “unhappy employees cost $450-$550 Billion in lost productivity per year”How corporations utilize Arnaud’s teachings as Chief Happiness Officers into their businessesAre people meant to be happy all day every day?Emotional Honesty How Arnaud gets his nature fix at Ananda AshramArnaud’s intentions and goals with Stand Up for PassionChallenges vs RoutinesHow Arnaud measures successBhutan’s Gross National Happiness The world’s evolution through Arnaud’s perspectiveValuable advice for entrepreneursBioSince 2014, Arnaud Collery has been working in the transformation space, both corporate and personal. He coaches c-suite teams and runs standupforpassion.com, a global platform on personal inspirational stories. Arnaud has coached 1000+ stories (youtube.com/standupforpassion) 100+ teams, led 100+ workshops and trained 100+ Chief Happiness Speakers. 10 000 pp attended our events. 100 + speeches (3 Tedx, Harvard, Google, UN,..) Published author. Worked with.. United Nations, Dior, Cartier, Novartis, L'Oreal, Nestle, Danone, BMW, Careem. He now coaches the next generation of Chief Happiness Officers in his own training programs.Keynotes: World Happiness Report -NYWord Happiness Summit Miami Happiness at work-CopenhagenHappiness 360 - ArubaHappiness innovation- DubaiHappiness Effect- KuwaitHappy Folk - Paris

Yes, he is in fact a “lord”. But that is a whole conversation for another time.Lord Matthew Scheckner is the Global CEO of Advertising Week, a platform where businesses and brands are discussing what he calls society’s “real issues” in a collective of conferences, seminars, special events and live entertainment in New York City, Mexico City, London, Tokyo, Sydney and Johannesburg.But prior to bringing together international professionals for Advertising Week, Matt fostered an entrepreneurial drive and work ethic that spanned from washing dishes, to the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and starting an his first agency during the emergence of sports marketing.If you’re looking for inspiration, advice and wisdom from a master networker who has created a global community, bringing together many tens-of-thousands to congregate internationally, this is a conversation you’ll want to listen carefully. In this conversation, we discuss Matt’s super interesting career trajectory to Advertising Week, the surprising reason he focused on advertising, his thoughts on corporate responsibility around data & privacy issues, the importance of opportunities to connect on a human level with other people, and how Advertising Week has become a platform for business and social impact. Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions:Global CEO of Advertising WeekFounder of Stillwell PartnersGraduate of Emory University Topics discussed in this conversation include:6 countries, heading into 16 years in NYGraduating from Emory in 1986 as a professional breeding groundOriginally planning to be a lawyerFirst jobs delivering the Penny Saver (for a literal penny!), the New York Post, working at bagel shops and delis, and many other odd jobsInterning at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce in the 80’s The emergence of “sports marketing” and treating sports as economic development“The Commission on the Year 2000” – Matt’s first job out of college, under NYC’s Mayor KochMaximizing utilization of the waterfrontTax implications of the MeadowlandsBecoming the first Executive Director of the New York City Sports Commission at age 23Winning the 1998 Good Will GamesBuilding the olympic sized pool in Eisenhower ParkThe downfall of these programs with Mayor GiulianiMatt’s first business venture in sports marketingDabbling in a multitude of projectsDDB4 A’s – The American Association of Advertising AgenciesThe ideation for Advertising WeekMatt’s business modelRadio City eventsA secret apartment in Radio City, The Roxy SuiteProposing the first Advertising Week event to Mayor Bloomberg in 2004The first opening gala at Gracie MansionSeed money 4A’s, Omnicom, IPG, Publicis, Havas, WPPChanging from non-profit to for-profitMatt’s partner, Lance PillersdorfExpanding to London, Tokyo, Mexico City, Johannesburg, to a global networkYear-round content businessWhy Advertising?The importance of exclusive locations for AW’s special eventsHighlighting the social and experiential part of lifeHow to grow an international network around the globeGetting quoted in The Wall Street Journal Matt’s motivation and driveThe challenge to create authenticity in each international locationLeveraging the AW platform to talk about important “real issues”Emma Stone on mental health and wellnessNikki Sixx of Motley Crue and the United States Surgeon General discussing the opiod crisisD&AD Impact AwardsCannes LionsSocial Impact topics: Health & Wellness, Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability, Responsible ProductionMatt’s perspective on how social impact is emerging in businessesUnilever and sustainabilityBrands that are doing good are good for businessCorporate responsibility around advertising and over-consumption of mediaData and privacy issuesHow Matt measures success for himself and his businessValuable advice for entrepreneursBio:Matt Scheckner is CEO of Stillwell Partners, a New York City based boutique consultancy. Stillwell is best known as the producer of Advertising Week, the world’s largest advertising / marketing / media industry summit.  The Week is conducted in New York City, London, Tokyo, Sydney and Mexico City and launches in Africa in 2019. Under Scheckner’s leadership, which dates back to 2004, the B2B event has evolved into a vibrant, global tent-pole event and is the world’s pre-eminent annual platform uniting the ad tech, brand/client, creative, marketing and media communities. Scheckner’s signature recipe of blending thought leadership with one-of-a-kind evening experiences for the entire industry ecosystem propels Advertising Week. The annual festival-style event is now in year fifteen (15) in the USA, going into year seven (7) in Europe, year three (3) in Tokyo and just a few months ago launched successfully in Mexico City and Sydney. Planning is well underway to launch in Africa in 2019 and Advertising Week’s related year-round content initiatives, notable AW360, continue to grow.Stillwell’s origin is derived from Coney Island. For 20+ years, on the historic corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues, Stillwell has produced the annual Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest and ESPN broadcast. Scheckner has served on the Board of Governors of the Friars Club and stands alongside such luminaries as Milton Berle, Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, and Henny Youngman, as winner of the “Friar of the Year” - - a distinction he was awarded by his fellow Friars in 2011. He is active with many causes, including the launch of War Child in the United States, Comic Relief UK, London’s Roundhouse and Tuesday’s Children, which honored Scheckner as their 2013 Gala Honoree. Scheckner also served as Chairman of the World Trade Center Memorial Communications Advisory Council and led a public campaign that generated $300 million towards construction and completion of the World Trade Center Memorial. From 2006-2008, Scheckner served as Consigliere at Yahoo!, where he produced the industry’s first digital Upfront, “Broadband on Broadway” in 2007 and managed the corporation’s relationships with Madison Avenue. He also conceived and produced major corporate experiential programs around the world - - from Cannes to Pebble Beach - - and led the company’s support of the Tribeca Film Festival, an early harbinger of the modern-day explosion of creative content streaming on the web. For more than a decade (1995-2006), Scheckner owned and ran Empire Sports & Entertainment, a New York City-based marketing and strategic consulting firm. One of Empire’s largest clients was Radio City Productions. Under Scheckner’s direction, Empire produced major events outside the Music Hall including the 1997 opening of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Pepsi’s 1999 Centennial Celebration, which featured Ray Charles, Riverdance and the Rolling Stones and several Super Bowl Halftimes.  Scheckner also played a central role in shaping the Music Hall’s overall strategic plan including its acquisition by Madison Square Garden and landmark renovation in the year 2000. Empire also served as SFX’s marketing agency developing strategies to secure more than $200 million in sponsorship across SFX’s live sports and entertainment properties.  The company also partnered with Ken Sunshine and the Nashville-based Opryland to produce “Always . . . Patsy Cline” Off-Broadway. The show ran for a year at the Variety Arts Theater. Prior to incorporating Empire in 1995, Scheckner served as Counsel on Sports Marketing for the flagship office of Hill & Knowlton, a global public relations firm where he founded the firm’s sports and entertainment practice.From 1987 through 1994, Scheckner served as Executive Director of the New York City Sports Commission, a not-for-profit organization founded during the Koch administration. During his tenure with the Commission, Scheckner was directly responsible for successful bids for the 1993 Olympic Congress of the USA and the 1998 Goodwill Games. He saved the Jerome Boxing Club in the South Bronx from eviction and secured City funds to renovate the Club; fulfilled New York City Marathon founder Fred Lebow’s request to secure the entire Verrazano Bridge as the Marathon’s starting point; closed Central Park for the Tour de Trump cycling race; stopped City government in it’s tracks by bringing Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and Larry Holmes to City Hall; led New York City’s bid to host 1994 World Cup matches; and successfully secured City and Community Board approval to stage an Indy Car Race in lower Manhattan. Prior to assuming his post with the Sports Commission, Scheckner served as a Policy Analyst with the Mayor’s Commission on the Year 2000, a blue-ribbon planning group, where he was responsible for the Commission's work on demographics, economic development, education, transportation and water front development.Among Scheckner's other professional honors, he was selected as a member of Crain's New York Business "Forty Under Forty" at the age of 28. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at the New York University Management Institute, and was appointed coordinator of NYU's annual Summer Institute on Sports and Event Marketing in 1995. In 1998, Scheckner was appointed to a similar post as an Adjunct Professor of the Columbia Graduate School of Business. Globally, Scheckner has lectured in Sao Paolo with Pele on sports marketing, among other venues.Scheckner resides in Port Washington, NY with his wife Ila and their children, Benny and Eliza. Sadly, his dog Lambeau passed in

Conscious Enterprises curated a discussion on Impact & Introspection in celebration of the launch of Barry Sternlicht’s 1 Hotel West Hollywood.These impressive entrepreneurs & CEO’s gathered for an evening of meaningful conversation followed by a Mix & Mingle at the 1 Hotel’s zero-waste restaurant and bar.Some topics we discussed:Can luxury and conscious lifestyle coexist?How do successful CEO's and entrepreneurs manage imposter syndrome?How does your relationship with your body affect what your are producing as an entrepreneur?What are some of the benefits of being a "mindful leader"?Please subscribe, rate 5 stars and share this episode with anyone you think would enjoy this conversation! Subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay updated on our next events.SPEAKERS:Christopher Gaviganco-Founder & Chief Purpose Officer of The Honest CompanyFounder & CEO of PrimaKevin Peakeco-Founder & President of Next HealthSuze Yalof SchwartzFounder & CEO of Unplug MeditationLuke StoreyFounder of The Life Stylistco-Founder of School of StyleRoxana RafatjahFounder of Conscious Enterprises(moderator) Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple PodcastsHIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: FULL EVENT VIDEO:

We are beyond honored to have partnered with Donna Karan’s Philosophy of Living, Urban Zen, on this event. In celebration of Women’s History Month (March 2019), we gathered for a mix & mingle in this spectacular urban sanctuary for a discussion about Women, Business & Mind-Body Connection.These awe-inspiring female panelists spoke about balancing masculine & feminine energy, their “aha moment” in business, how introspection has contributed to their external impact, and how meditation helps hone in on the mind-body-energy connection.Please subscribe, rate 5 stars and share this episode with anyone you think would enjoy this conversation! Subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay updated on our next events.PS - Please excuse my lack of personality/voice at the event - I was recovering from a fever:) PANELISTS:Emily Fletcher, Founder of Ziva MeditationDr. Karuna Sabnani, Founder of Karuna Naturopathic HealthcareDanielle Posa, Founder of Wellbeing HackerRoxana Rafatjah (moderator) Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple PodcastsHIGHLIGHTS VIDEO:   FULL EVENT VIDEO:

Rachelle Robinett is by far the most connected to plants than anyone I’ve ever met. Her understanding and obsession with herbs, diet and how they affect the body is incomparable. She is a plant-based wellness practitioner, the founder of Supernatural Café – a company dedicated to real world wellness, currently the resident herbalist at CAP Beauty in the west village (in NYC); she is Integrative Health Certified and Clinical Herbalism Certified, and is the creator of some delightful new herbal supplements called HRBLS. She has also worked with brands such as Alchemist’s Kitchen, ABC Home, Elixir Bar @ The Assemblage.In this conversation we discuss Rachelle’s journey from Seattle to New York City to work in fashion and advertising before becoming an entrepreneur committed to creating accessibility to plant & herbal life. She gives us some fantastic tips on herbs we should all be integrating into our diets. We talk about plant medicines and Rachelle shares her experience with ayahuasca ceremonies. And she also shares valuable advice for entrepreneurs.   Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions:Plant-based wellness practitionerFounder of Supernatural Café – “a company dedicated to real world wellness”Resident Herbalist at CAP BeautyComplimentary & Integrative Health CertifiedClinical Herbalism CertifiedCreator of HRBLSTopics discussed in this conversation include: ·      Rachelle’s career trajectory from Rainier Valley farm to Manhattan fashion before plant-based entrepreneurship·      Nutrition & Plant Chemicals as a personal practice·      Food prep·      Entrepreneurship as a byproduct of plant-obsession·      Convergence·      Rachelle’s herbalism work with brands such as Alchemist’s Kitchen, ABC Home, Elixir Bar @ The Assemblage·      The balance between effectiveness of an herb vs trendiness of popular·      Rachelle’s recommendations of herbs that can combat stress & anxietyo   Lavendero   Oat Topso   Red Clover·      Rachelle’s perspective of failure·      Planting seeds·      Work-Life Balance·      Rachelle’s business as a “conscious enterprise”·      HRBLS·      Making taking herbs accessible·      Herbs that most people could benefit from taking todayo   Ashwaganda or other adaptogenso   More greens for everyone!o   Prebiotics§  Yuca§  Cassava§  Fibrous, starchy veggies & root herbs·      Kale·      Rachelle’s thoughts on the use of psychedelics and plant medicines·      Rachelle’s six plant medicine ceremonies with ayahuascha & san pedro·      Difference between San Pedro & Ayahuascha·      Epiphanies·      Rachelle’s diet·      Rachelle’s personal wellness routine·      Hopes for the next 5 years of the state of the world and nature·      How Rachelle measures success·      Valuable advice for entrepreneursBio:Rachelle Robinett is a plant-based wellness practitioner combining holistic, natural medicine with practical lifestyle work to help people find balanced, lasting health. She holds certificates in Complementary and Integrative Health, and Clinical Herbalism, and has been studying the relationship between plants and people her entire life - be that on a farm in the Pacific Northwest (where she grew up) to time with healers, specialists, and shaman in farther-away places.Rachelle is the founder of Supernatural - a company dedicated to real-world wellness - that includes an herbal cafe, a product line of plant-based remedies, ongoing workshops and events, and personal health coaching.Entrenched in the wellness world, but with an eye on the rest of the world, she brings a global perspective to individual health, and also that of businesses and brands.In addition to Supernatural, Rachelle manages the Bowery Cannabis Club with The Alchemist's Kitchen, and offers professional consulting for companies of all sizes.Specialties & Studies: Complementary & Integrative Health.  Clinical Family Herbalism. Ayurveda & yoga. Herbalism & traditional medicine. Meditation Teacher trained. Plant-based nutrition. Positive psychology. Reiki I attunement. Mindfulness & minimalism. Spirituality & science.

Kimmy Scotti is so engaging and effervescent, I’m sure you’ll easily see how she has become such an accomplished business woman. Aside from being a Partner at 8VC, her venture capitalist firm, she was one of the first investors in Sakara Life; and she is also a co-founder of a women’s health & wellness company with her sister called Monthly Gift. Kimmy co-founded a direct-to-consumer healthcare company that has helped millions of Americans afford their prescription medications, and she even started a fashion jewelry line that was sold in Bloomingdale’s when she was in college. In this conversation with Kimmy, you’ll learn what this venture capitalist looks for in the start-ups and the entrepreneurs that she invests in. We discuss Kimmy’s customizable feminine care business, the healthcare industry, being a woman in the male dominated finance industry, using meditation to enhance gut instinct, and Kimmy’s super unique mindfulness practice. Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions:Partner at 8VC Investor in Sakara LifeFounder of Monthly Gift Co-Founder of a direct-to-consumer healthcare companyFormer Director of Business DevelopmentCreator of Mimz New York (fashion jewelry line sold in Bloomingdale’s while in college)Featured in ForbesTopics discussed in this conversation include:Shoe swapping for good karmaGrowing up with close siblings in New YorkChildhood crafts and becoming a “maker”Starting her first business at the age of 15 years oldMimsHow Kimmy’s businesses got to span so many different industriesPassion for healthcareSakara Life and how it made Kimmy an official investorMonthly Gift – Kimmy and her sister’s feminine care subscription companyTampons vs PadsThe necessity for customization of feminine care product bundlesDear Kate acquisitionMonthly Gift’s commitment to giving back through Days for GirlsBalancing a business plan that incorporates charitable giving with an accessible price point for every womanFinding the balance of reciprocity or charity in businessKimmy’s reciprocal business strategy - making profit from solving a big problemQualities that Kimmy seeks in startups and entrepreneurs Magnetism vs MetricsKimmy’s wellness regimen and her strict breakfast routine Bari trampoline class - (now at Fithouse)Our broken healthcare systemBusinesses falling short on wellness programsPracticing prophylactic medicineFixing healthcare by fixing prescriptionsBlink HealthWhat Kimmy sees many tech entrepreneurs focusing on that isn’t workingMaking the cost of care accessibleTrends Kimmy sees in wellness, work-life balance, startup cultureBiggest challenges in businessPitching male investors a tampon companyBeing bi-coastalWhat makes business leaders successfulHow Kimmy perceives her own successMeditation with HeadspaceActive meditation with floral arrangementsActivities being mindless vs mindfulConverting to JudaismShabbat dinner being meditativeStrengthening your “gut instinct” through meditationImposter Syndrome as a woman in businessFlower arrangement meditation processApplying mindfulness to the cut-throat venture capitalist worldSh*t happensAccepting a base of worst case scenariosHaving empathy for the founders Kimmy invests inWhen mindfulness and empathy are a detriment to businessHow to know where and when and who to trustAnimal instinctHow Kimmy sees the world 5 years from now and how she intends to contribute to itHealthcare science and innovationValuable advice for entrepreneursBio:Kimmy Scotti is a founding partner at 8VC where she focuses on consumer and healthcare investments. She oversees the fund's investments in companies such as Blink Health, uBiome, and MakeSpace. She also is Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of the women’s health and wellness company, Monthly Gift. 

LAUNCH EVENT & PANEL DISCUSSION EPISODEThis is a very special episode. We gathered some of the greatest and most conscious minds in business for a panel discussion, and launched Conscious Enterprises’ live event series in partnership with 1 Hotels! The theme of this conversation was Impact & Introspection, a symbiotic relationship that I very strongly believe must be understood to optimize business and leadership potential.We also have 1-on-1 interviews with each of these fantastic panelists (links below) if you’d like to learn more about them and hear their stories.Please subscribe, rate 5 stars and share with anyone you think would enjoy this conversation! Subscribe to our mailing list and follow us on social media to stay updated on our next events. (opening meditation guided by Kirra Michel)PANELISTS:Hannah Bronfman, Director of Sustainability & Impact, 1 HOTEL & Starwood Hospitality GroupKaran Rai, Founder & CEO of Asgard PartnersSusie Fogelson, Founder of F&Co, former SVP Food Network and TV personalityMagdalena Sartori, Chief Creative Officer of The Assemblage Alain Palinsky, Founder of Kollectiv, co-founder of Juice PressMaja Vujinovic, Founder & CEO of O Group, former GE execRoxana Rafatjah, Founder of Conscious Enterprises (moderator) Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple PodcastsHIGHLIGHTS VIDEO: FULL EVENT VIDEO:

If there was a medal awarded for most job interviews you can attend while pregnant, Marissa Kraxberger just might win it. And that’s what has given her such an interesting perspective about motherhood and pregnancy in the workplace at so many different fashion brands. Marissa did receive much media attention for speaking out about Ivanka Trump’s lack of maternity leave, but this feature is really focused on Marissa’s career and learnings, so please don’t listen to this conversation expecting something to light your political fire. In this conversation we discuss Marissa’s amazing career working for some of the most sought after fashion brands, her experience going to many interviews while pregnant, her suggestions for improving corporate culture and parental policies, how if you don’t allow for hindrances as an option, they won’t be. www.Conscious.Enterprises

I hope this conversation with Lisa Wang motivates you to assess your own work-ethic, triggers some introspective curiosities of your own to explore, and assess your own drive for what Lisa calls “enoughness”.Lisa Wang is the founder & CEO of SheWorx, a leading global platform empowering over 20,000 female entrepreneurs to close the funding gap and build and scale successful companies. She also founded The AcadeMe, which offers actionable master classes & executive training for women on the rise. She’s a Forbes 30 Under 30 in venture capital, keynote public speaker, US hall of fame gymnast and host of the Enoughness podcast.As someone who innately has all the markings of a hard working, insatiable over-achiever, with limitless accomplishments, in my opinion it’s Lisa’s introspection that gives her an extra spark. She has allowed herself to come to terms with an important psychological concept that she speaks about on her “Enoughness” podcast.In this conversation, we discuss all the trials and tribulations along the entrepreneurial path to Lisa’s empire, how a lack of “enoughness” is the root of many people’s suffering, and how having purpose and making an impact can consume an entrepreneur. Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts  Recognitions:Founder & CEO of SheWorxFounder of The AcadeMeForbes 30 Under 30 CIO Magazine’s Top 20 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2017 & 2018Red Bull’s Hero of the Year 2018Columnist at Forbes and FortuneUS Hall of Fame GymnastYale University GraduateKeynote SpeakerLeadership CoachHost of Enoughness Podcast Topics discussed in this conversation include:How Lisa began gymnastics at the age of 9The trials and tribulations of having a last name that begins with a letter at the end of the alphabetFocus, attention, and time management as a child and Lisa’s innate work ethicLoneliness as a child paying off in collegeSheWorx started in 2014Lisa’s first jobs out of college (Yale) in China, then at a hedge fundYo app raising $1 Million inspired Lisa to make a bigger impactDrive for creative ownershipStartup Institute entrepreneurship bootcampHow and why to create a point of no returnWorking next to a CEO at a development agency and how that experience shaped LisaOne-touch food order app ideaFinding a food acceleratorAttaining investment, a partner and off to the racesWhy Lisa thinks investors are hesitant to invest in single-founder companiesSteve Jobs reference – he had vision but couldn’t codeThe importance of a teamCraigslist hiringTechnical challenges and lessonsLisa’s higher purpose for the worldLisa’s coined concept of “enoughness” and the psychological differences between men and womenHow a lack of enoughness manifests in businessThe Little MermaidThe breakthrough “enoughness moment”SheWorx What inspires Lisa to do so much everydayBeing mistaken as the assistantCreating a space where women can have access to capitalTaking painful experiences and turning them into purposeLisa’s thoughts on wellness in the startup worldTime becoming more precious as an entrepreneurWellness trends vs BalanceLisa’s wellness methodsWhy entrepreneurs tend to not have hobbiesHow Lisa measures success   Bio:Lisa Wang is a former US National Champion and Hall of Fame gymnast turned entrepreneur, public speaker, and executive leadership coach.· Founder & CEO of SheWorx, the leading global platform empowering 20,000+ women to build successful companies through access to top mentors and investors.· Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2018 in Venture Capital and CIO Magazine's Top 20 Female Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2017 and 2018, and Red Bull’s Hero of The Year in 2018. She is a columnist at Forbes and Fortune focused on driving gender parity in entrepreneurship.· Motivational Keynote Speaker headlining conferences including Mobile World Congress, World Entrepreneur Forum, Chief Innovation Officer Summit, and more.· Executive Leadership Coach and brings the tools from over a decade as an elite athlete, and entrepreneur to train leaders to own their power.· In her spare time she produces and hosts the 5-Star Enoughness podcast. Lisa is a graduate of Yale University. 

This interview was fascinating to me as someone who became intrigued with the scientific viability of astrology prior to diving deeply into other esoteric studies of consciousness. Personally I believe astrological natal charts can be more accurate than some of the most prevalent personality tests businesses use today like Meyers Briggs, Jungian personality tests, or DISC Profiles. I’ll spare you my thoughts on the scientific viability of a proper natal chart for now. This conversation is not about astrology.I think it’s important to share what people like Ruby Warrington are doing in the business world. Best known for her widely popular online magazine, The Numinous, Ruby also speaks openly about integrating mysticism into her life in the fashion industry in London in her previous book Material Girl Mystical World. But even more impressive to me, Ruby now works with big brands like Soho House, Unilever, Buick, Lululemon and TopShop  who are looking to integrate  what she calls “now age” mysticism into their brands. Mysticism, from a scientific and psychological prospective, which is how I tend to view things, is really just another form of introspection. So the work that Ruby does for brands, from a corporate standpoint, is indicative of a major shift in perception for corporations.In this conversation we discuss Ruby’s career, her relationship to alcohol and thoughts on plant medicines and psychedelics, and her latest initiative as the creator of the Sober Curious Movement.  That’s really the deep part of this conversation – delving into the the ideas and social constructs we have built around alcohol.  Be sure to check out Ruby’s new book – available for purchase on Amazon – Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts   Recognitions: Founder of The NuminousCreator of the “Sober Curious” MovementFounder of a sober-curious event series called Club SödaFounder of Moon ClubAuthor of Material Girl, Mystical World: The Now Age Guide to a High-Vibe LifeAuthor of Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of AlcoholTopics discussed in this conversation include:Ruby’s career journey that began in Fashion Journalism and magazines in LondonAchieving her “dream job” as Features Editor at the prestigious Sunday Times Style MagazineFinding a lack of meaning and contribution to society while working her “dream job”Feeling boxed in by her own self-imposed glass ceilingExploring her passion projects on the sideDiscovering astrology Moving to New York CityHow Ruby got her first book dealRealizing there is an audience of  people interested in ancient human technologies and updating them for the “Now Age”How Ruby views herself less as an entrepreneur and more a writerChallenges in being taken seriously as someone so openly mysticalSelf-acceptance and finding a place of “woo woo and proud”A smaller, more niche market that actually understands you can be more valuable than larger scaleA failure that Ruby is most proud of learning fromThe Sober Curious MovementClub Söda NYC eventsRuby’s relationship and journey with alcoholQuestioning why alcohol is so interwoven and engrained into our cultureCreating Club Söda to help her answer these questionsRuby’s goal with the Sober Curious MovementAlcoholics Anonymous vs Sober CuriousStats from AAInner work required alongside alcohol abstinence or sober curiosityTreating alcohol consumption with proper consciousness – is helping you heal or making you numb?How Ruby has created a spectrum for alcoholism or sobriety and why it’s dangerousCorrelations between productivity and sobrietyHow plant medicines can fit into a sober-curious lifestyleFascinating studies around psychedelics and addictionSuppressive therapies vs evocative therapiesA great  question to ask yourself: Am I doing this to numb myself or am I doing this to heal myself?Why Ruby considers herself a conscious enterpriseMoon ClubRuby’s brand consulting work with James HotelsBringing opportunities for introspection into mainstream industries via mystical modalitiesRuby’s wellness ritualHow Ruby measures successHow Ruby sees the world evolving and how she intends to contribute to itValuable advice for entrepreneurs Bio:Ruby Warrington is a British lifestyle writer and creator of The Numinous, an online magazine that updates all things “new age” for life in what she terms to Now Age. Author of Material Girl, Mystical World and Sober Curious, she is also cofounder of “sober curious” event series Club SÖDA NYC, and Moon Club, an online spiritual coaching program. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, Simon.

A self-proclaimed “student of life”, Alain Palinsky is the epitome of work in progress, in the best sense of that description.  He is constantly working to improve himself personally and that translates directly into how his business runs today, in a constant state of service to it’s customers. Well known as the co-founder of Juice Press, a national juice bar chain, Alain is now the owner of Kollectiv, a wellness space located in the Bowery of New York City offering all kinds of bio-hacking, healing, and well-being improving products and services.In this conversation you will learn how Alain got involved with juicing and wellness after a career in hedge funds, how Alain sustains an unorthodox company culture, the reality of investments and money, and more! Click here to listen on SpotifyClick here to listen on iTunes - Apple Podcasts Recognitions:Co-Founder of Juice PressOwner of KollectivFormer Hedge Fund ExecFormer Tennis Athlete  Topics discussed in this conversation include:How Alain got involved with juicing and creating Juice PressKollectiv – what is it and how it came to beServing a need and how consumers dictate what a business providesHow the Kollectiv has evolved since 2015Partnerships with wellness brands such as Alchemist Kitchen, Higher Dose, Kryo Lounge etcBeing unorthodox and trying to instill corporate cultureCustomer Service goalsAlain’s self-serving inspiration for starting businessesWhy Alain doesn’t consider business in general to be consciousWhat failure Alain is learning from the mostHow lack of choices force you to grow in lifeWhat makes Alain and his businesses conscious enterprisesHow the Kollectiv’s wellness vendors are selectedAlain’s commitment to wellnessAlain’s backstory from being an athlete, nutrition, training, to getting into the finance industry and working for Hedge FundsBringing the Juice Press idea from MiamiAlain’s inconsistent morning ritualsActing and how acting brings Alain back to himselfMoney & Capital How to attracting the right money is a challengeLaw suit situationsThe reality of investmentsHow good are you at failure?Consciousness in business partnershipsValuing successHow people project their own perceptions onto your situationValuable advice for entrepreneursLessons from acting school   

The wellness industry can sometimes have a tendency towards the ethereal and woo-woo, which understandably can be hard for some people to gasp. But what I love about Danielle Posa is that she has such a direct, upfront, no-BS vibe. I can understand why large corporations and icons like Deepak Chopra would value working with her. As the Wellbeing Hacker, Danielle is bringing well-being into the corporate world, not in just a yoga & meditation way, but in a data-backed way. Loaded with a plethora of statistics and research to pull from, Danielle is legitimizing the wellness game in businesses and substantiating the importance of defining personal purpose. In this conversation, we discuss so many valuable topics for conscious leaders. Danielle shares her experience as a former executive at Gallup, she shares insights about the power of the mind, she tells us about her program with Deepak Chopra, and how she believes wellbeing should be a standardized measurement.

Sah D’Simone lives in the flow state. He also lives to break molds. While he is on a mission to break down stigmas around mental health, Sah makes meditation and consciousness seem not only approachable for everyone, but also makes it seem so stylish and cool. With an entrepreneurial background in the fashion industry, Sah founded Bullett Magazine and a successful blog sold to Oracle, before shedding this former life and growing into the transformational coach, speaker and author that he is today. He also just released a fantastic book – 5 Minute Daily Meditations – that leaves zero excuses for anyone claiming they want to meditate and don’t have the time. This collection of short meditations makes everyday awareness accessible to stay-at-home moms to CEO’s. In this conversation, we discuss so many interesting topics bridging mysticism, biology, introspection and science. We discuss Sah’s rocky entrepreneurial journey (which includes a hilarious story about getting fired from a porn shop), dealing with the highs and lows of depression, bringing meditation to corporations and how it’s affecting the business world, and the most impactful benefits and transformations that Sah has witnessed from meditation. www.Conscious.Enterprises

www.Conscious.Enterprises

www.Conscious.Enterprises