Duncan Tree Podcast with Ouida

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into valuable life lessons learned across a dynamic career. From asking for what you want to embrace your uniqueness, and navigating career transitions, each story highlights the resilience and growth found in everyday experiences. Listeners will hear how trusting your gut, knowing your worth, and maintaining balance can make a profound impact on your career and personal well-being. Discover how even the smallest connections, like a conversation at a salon, can open doors. Tune in to learn why embracing your journey and focusing on what truly matters is essential to lasting success. About our host, Ouida Duncan. Ouida is a Kingston native with a passion for global exploration, personal growth, and transformative coaching. She has traveled to 30 countries across six continents, deepening her perspective on human potential. With two decades in consumer and pharmaceutical advertising for clients like Johnson & Johnson, Ouida is recognized as a strategic “fixer,” blending Olivia Pope’s crisis management with Oprah’s emotional insight. She founded Duncan Tree Ventures to democratize coaching for marginalized communities and leads the "Kids in the Middle" mentoring program. Her clients gain lasting confidence and clarity, overcoming barriers to reach their full potential. She has an MBA in international business from the University of Bath in Somerset, UK. She is a professionally trained and licensed worthiness coach who focuses on training first-time managers on soft skills to become empowered and empowering team leaders. Ouida is also certified as a diversity & inclusion strategist through Cornell University, ILR. About Judy Jackson. Judy Jackson, best known for her candid, straightforward approach and her unmistakable laugh, is driven by bringing out the best in others while maintaining her authentic self. She is a well-respected thought leader in human resource management. Judy founded JLC Ventures to help build inclusive cultures within corporate spaces by supporting under-represented groups in their career growth, development, and well-being. She also works with leadership to provide the vision and strategy for building a culture where people can bring their whole selves to work and be respected for who they are. Earlier leadership roles include Global Head of Culture at WPP, Global Chief Talent Officer at Wunderman Thompson, Chief Talent Officer at IPG Mediabrands, NA, Digitas, and People leadership roles at Essence Communications, ABC Disney, and Planned Parenthood of NYC. She has contributed to several articles and books on human resource management and has received several awards including the 4A’s 2022 Gladiator Award. She serves on the board of directors for BRIDGE, an organization dedicated to addressing the gap in Belonging, Representation, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in the workplace. She is the co-founder of We All Rise Together, created to minimize the impact of the pandemic on communities most at risk. She is also the former president of BRAINY, an organization committed to developing people of color in the communications industry. To learn more about Judy and her work through Judy Loves Culture. Visit https://www.jlcventures.net/our-team. Audio Engineer: Jason C. Fiverr

🎧 New Episode Alert! 🎧Join host Ouida Duncan as she chats with the one and only Dr. Michael Rich, a.k.a. "The Mediatrician," from the Boston Children’s Hospital Digital Wellness Lab! 🌟 In this insightful episode, Dr. Rich tackles hot topics like cell phones in schools, must-know takeaways from his book The Mediatrician's Guide, and essential tips from the Family Digital Wellness Guide to help families thrive in today’s digital world. 📱✨Tune in to explore how we can foster healthy digital habits and make technology work for us, not against us! For more fantastic resources, including the Family Digital Wellness Guide, visit digitalwellnesslab.org/family-guides 💻👨‍👩‍👦About our host Ouida DuncanOuida Duncan, the founder of Duncan Tree Foundation a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible public charity, has been a professionally trained and licensed iPEC success coach for the past seven years. Ouida specializes in emotional intelligence and through that lens transforms small businesses and individuals from the inside out. Her MBA clients at the University of Bath (UK) and the University of Exeter (UK), small businesses, and seasoned professionals worldwide benefit as she aids them in identifying their blindspots and strengths, clarifying and addressing their weaknesses, and gaining insight into their career and personal decisions. Additionally, she assists clients in navigating emotional obstacles and intricate relationships. Ouida's overarching mission is to empower her clients to flourish by overcoming these obstacles, enhancing their mental resilience, and communication skills which help resolve conflict, improve job performance, and cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and others.Discover how to turn your fears into a powerful source of motivation and drive in this masterclass. Learn techniques and strategies from experts to leverage fear positively and achieve your goals.Follow Ouida Duncan on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ouida-duncan/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coached.by.ouidahttps://www.ouidaduncan.comOr visit: https://www.duncantree.org to learn more about Duncan Tree Ventures. We invite you to volunteer, join our Board of Directors or make a financial contribution.Introducing...Michael Rich, MD, MPH is recognized globally for his acclaimed work as a pediatrician, child health researcher, and children’s media specialist. He is the Founder and Director of the Digital Wellness Lab whose mission is to understand and promote positive and healthy digital media experiences for young people, from birth through young adulthood. Dr. Rich is also the Founder and Co-Director of the Clinic for Interactive Media and Internet Disorders (CIMAID), the first evidence-based clinical program designed to address Problematic Interactive Media Use (PIMU) in children, adolescents, and young adults. Using a multidisciplinary approach, Dr. Rich works with young people and their families to help them adopt and sustain healthy approaches to engaging with interactive media and technology.Follow Dr. Rich on...Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-wellness-lab/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/digitalwellnesslabInstagram: @digitalwellnesslabAudio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

We invite you to listen to and enjoy this conversation with Exec Coach Aileen Edwards, ACC, and former Chief Human Resource Officer at a major hospital in Canada. There are many reasons people decide to leave their jobs way before submitting their resignation letter. If this conversation resonates with you, drop us a line and tell us why at info@duncantreefoundation.org. About Ouida Duncan, Host Ouida Duncan, the founder of Duncan Tree Foundation a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible public charity, has been a professionally trained and licensed iPEC success coach for the past seven years. Ouida specializes in emotional intelligence and through that lens transforms small businesses and individuals from the inside out. Her MBA clients at the University of Bath (UK) and the University of Exeter (UK), small businesses, and seasoned professionals worldwide benefit as she aids them in identifying their blindspots and strengths, clarifying and addressing their weaknesses, and gaining insight into their career and personal decisions. Additionally, she assists clients in navigating emotional obstacles and intricate relationships. Ouida's overarching mission is to empower her clients to flourish by overcoming these obstacles, enhancing their mental resilience, and communication skills which help resolve conflict, improve job performance, and cultivate healthier relationships with themselves and others. Discover how to turn your fears into a powerful source of motivation and drive in this masterclass. Learn techniques and strategies from experts to leverage fear positively and achieve your goals. Here are a few testimonials. About Aileen Edwards, Guest Aileen M. Edwards, MA Leadership, Associate Certified Coach (ACC) is an Executive Coach who draws on a range of models and frameworks in bringing about transformational change. A coach, mentor, and facilitator who brings Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity skills to focus conversations that facilitate performance, change, and learning relevant to their personal, organizational, or business context. Aileen uses her coaching skills and strengths to assist clients in achieving their goals and achieve success by engaging in a learning partnership with them to create purposeful actions for their goals Aileen excels in building strong and trusted relationships with boards, senior management, employees, and labor unions. She is an authentic collaborative and experienced facilitator, leader, and coach with a strong executive presence. Aileen’s main fields of expertise are: • Executive Coaching using lived Marginalized and Racialized background • Healthcare Experience • Executive Human Resources expertise • Leadership Development • Facilitator Aileen has a Master of Arts degree in Leadership; and a Queen’s University Leadership Excellence certificate; is a Business Coaching Advantage Certified Coach (BCACC™) and has a Team Coaching Advantage™ certificate. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

My cohosts Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester, Tony Bennett, and I had a lovely conversation with Dr. Anna Huttenlocher about her father Peter Huttenlocher's research on synaptic pruning. Wow! What an eye-opener. In plain English, understanding brain development and synaptic pruning in children, teens, and young adults is crucial because it shapes their cognitive and emotional abilities. Synaptic pruning can be likened to spring cleaning for the brain: the brain removes weak or unused connections between brain cells to make it more efficient. This process occurs frequently during childhood and adolescence. This understanding is important for society as it can help create better educational strategies, mental health support, and social policies. By supporting optimal brain development, we can foster healthier, more capable individuals. This can lead to a society with fewer mental health issues, better academic performance, and improved social interactions, ultimately contributing to overall societal well-being and productivity. This is what the Kids in the Middle Coaching and Mentoring Scholarship Program is looking to address. https://lnkd.in/gt-hbSKiWhy is this important? One reason is the pandemic wreaked havoc on our children's mental health. Schools in the U.S. are experiencing a massive attendance problem. Upon further research, we realize this is a global problem, e.g., Australian parents and teachers are struggling with the issue of school refusal. Read The Kids Who Fear School article and the growing crisis of school refusal is gripping Australia, leaving families in a hidden struggle. Anna Huttenlocher is the Anna Ruth Brummett Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a physician-scientist who seeks to understand how cell migration is regulated and how defects in cell migration contribute to human disease.  Her research is at the interface of cell biology and immunology and is centered on understanding inflammation and its resolution. She seeks to dissect how external cues and cell signaling networks are integrated to regulate cell migration during tissue damage and repair and how this is altered in human disease. Her laboratory has pioneered approaches to visualize and manipulate leukocyte motility in zebrafish and human stem cells, and using these tools has uncovered new mechanisms that regulate the resolution of innate immune inflammation. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, was chair of the Gordon conference on Directed cell migration, Co-chaired a Banbury conference, and served on ASCI council.  She also served on the council for the American Society of Cell Biology and the American Physician Scientists Association. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

We recently had a very interesting conversation with Robert Ooghe, Jr., head of Marketing at Duncan Tree Ventures about the power of Kids in the Middle Coaching and Mentoring Scholarship Program. If you're interested in learning more about Robert and his work, visit ooghe.com. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Ooghe, Jr. is a visionary entrepreneur and digital innovator. With over 15 years of experience in interactive entertainment and education, Robert has a proven track record of creating award-winning digital experiences for leading brands like Hasbro and Mattel. He holds a Master's degree in Interactive Telecommunications from NYU and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and History from William & Mary. Passionate about the potential of immersive technologies, Robert has dedicated himself to mastering the art and science of virtual reality and game development. He aims to create research-based, emotionally intelligent educational experiences that empower individuals to lead more fulfilling lives. Robert leads a talented team in crafting thought-provoking games. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Episode Summary In this insightful podcast interview, Robert Ooghe, Jr. shares his journey as a digital producer and his involvement with the Kids in the Middle Coaching & Mentoring Scholarship program. Drawing from his extensive experience at Hasbro and Mattel, Robert highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating complex team dynamics and delivering successful projects. Robert discusses his role in the Kids in the Middle program, which focuses on supporting students who fall between the gifted and at-risk categories. He emphasizes the value of the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) assessment in facilitating self-reflection and personal growth conversations. Looking to the future, Robert envisions the Kids in the Middle program collaborating with educational institutions, gathering data to demonstrate its effectiveness, and expanding its reach. He also shares his personal aspirations to continue working in educational technology and exploring opportunities in virtual reality and game development. Throughout the interview, Robert's passion for leveraging technology to support emotional intelligence and educational development shines through. He stresses the importance of establishing trust, being responsive to parents and educators, and creating a supportive environment for both students and coaches. With his unique blend of technical expertise, creative vision, and commitment to social impact, Robert Ooghe is poised to make significant contributions to the fields of education and immersive entertainment. For more information about Duncan Tree and KITM, visit duncantreefoundation.org Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

Welcome to Zambia: A Breathwork Journey! Ouida Duncan hosted a live recording with Wolfgang Steiner on Thursday, 25th April. This conversation introduces potential guests to a seven-day journey, with the 509 Community in Zambia which includes a three-day breathwork retreat led by Wolfgang Steiner, a seasoned breathwork coach with over two decades of experience. This journey will take place in Zambia from 19 June to 25 June 2024. Imagine the transformative power of breathwork amidst the stunning landscapes of Zambia. Wolfgang will delve into his insights from the Room 509 Community, where participants embrace equilibrium on the summer solstice, symbolizing the balance between light and dark, feminine and masculine. On June 21st, amidst the heightened energy of the full moon, guests immerse themselves in conscious awakening, surrounded by the vibrant lights of Zambia, Africa, often regarded as the Earth's center. Experience the sights and sounds of Zambia from the comfort of your own home, joining us to breathe, connect, and foster inner peace. The Being community is dedicated to providing 100 "Books of Being," also known as "The Ultimate Coach," to future leaders across the African continent, aiming to elevate consciousness, nurture beingness, and diminish destructive energies worldwide. To bring "Beingness" to the world. Embark on this journey of growth with us, empowering local individuals with the transformative Room 509 experience. Discover the profound benefits of conscious breathing as we explore techniques to cultivate mindfulness, alleviate stress, and facilitate emotional release. Please note the dates and times below for weekly Room 509 sessions. The Zoom Room is open Wednesdays at 2 pm CEST//8 am EDT and Thursday 9 pm CEST//3 pm EDT Zoom link www.vision-leben.at/Wolfgang To support the Room 509 Scholarship Program designed to support progressive future leaders from the African Continent visit Room 509's GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/.../509-zambiaconscious... Your help is needed to support our friends in Africa to be able to attend with scholarships. Thanks in advance for your support. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

I recently had an AWESOME conversation with philanthropist Reggie Van Lee about what it means to stand in your worth. Reggie Van Lee, is an Executive Partner & Managing Director at AlixPartners, who brings over three decades of global advisory experience. Former Chief Transformation Officer at Carlyle Group, he led organizational change programs. Prior EVP at Booz, Allen & Hamilton, focusing on strategic transformation and high-performance organizational design. We discussed... Why it's important to have courage, confidence, competence, and community. Why self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others is important. Why it's up to us to decide who we want to be and how we want to live. Why sometimes Plan B works out better than Plan A. And how Nelson Mandela's quote about winning resonates with him."I never lose. I either win or I learn.”~Nelson Mandela If you weren't able to attend and wish to support the work of K.I.T.M. which is all about showing young people what it means to know and to stand in their worth—here is a link to where you can plant a seed, have our team water it and watch the lives of, possibly, your children and your neighbor's children blossom. Click here to plant a seed > https://bit.ly/3T2MSca Think of it this way, you can write it off on your taxes next year. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

The benefits of artificial intelligence go well beyond improved efficiency and decision-making. AI can also improve organizational effectiveness and strengthen teams and enterprise cultures. Artificial intelligence can generate cultural as well as financial benefits for organizations. With AI systems in place, teams can perform tasks with more pride and confidence and collaborate more effectively: They can actually get stronger. These cultural benefits can penetrate the foundation of business operations, improving assumptions that drive organizational behaviors and ensuring the pursuit of smarter goals. We sat down with Lawrence Edmondson, CTO, Barbarian, a while back to discuss his thoughts on the intersection of AI, Race and Culture. Listen to his insights and let us know where you land on this subject. We hope this conversation sparks a revolution in how AI is currently being used in recruitment and hiring practices. There is an opportunity to break down barriers here. To learn about about Duncan Tree Foundation and our Kids In the Middle Youth Empowerment program for kids interested in STEM careers, please visit www.duncantreefoundation.org. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

In this episode, Andrea Hoban, Certified Professional Executive Coach, and Co-Founder of Oji Life Lab, an e-learning platform used to develop business leaders by increasing their emotional (and business) intelligence, discusses the benefits of having a high level of emotional intelligence with Duncan Tree's Founder Ouida Duncan, MBA, Certified Professional Emotional Intelligence Coach. 5 ways emotional intelligence leads to more joy Understanding and regulating your own emotions can lead to more self-awareness, allowing you to better recognize and manage your own needs and feelings. This can help reduce stress and create more joy in your life. Being able to recognize and empathize with the emotions of others can lead to more meaningful connections with those around you. This can bring more joy to your life through positive relationships. Being able to identify and manage emotions in a constructive way can help you make better decisions and take more effective actions. This can lead to more success in your life and create a sense of joy and satisfaction. Having emotional intelligence can help you create more positive and productive work environments. This can lead to more successful projects and a sense of accomplishment that can bring more joy. Developing emotional intelligence can help you better manage difficult situations and stay positive in challenging times. This can lead to more inner peace, which can bring more joy to your life. For more information about Duncan Tree Foundation, please visit our website www.duncantreefoundation.org where at the top right nav you can stay connected with us on all of our social media platforms. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

We are delighted to present this special episode with Dr. Millicent Ferguson Comrie, recorded on Good Friday 2022 Dr. Millicent Comrie is the epitome of excellence when it comes to empowerment, healing and teaching. In this episode she shares her journey into medicine. The explicit bias she overcame to rise to the top of her field.  Millicent A. Comrie, MD,MPH,FACOG, is the Director and founder of the Center for Women’s Health, Maimonides Medical Center for Women’s health in Brooklyn. Dr. Comrie was also Clinical Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the State University of New York (SUNY) - Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. Named in the Top 100 Physicians in Obstetrics and Gynecology in New York City, several years in a row. She is a recipient of many prestigious awards and most importantly she is a proud wife, mother and grandmother. Audio engineer: Dr. Lemuel "Lefty" Hernandez

If you want to learn about the real history of Jamaica, formerly Xamayca, the "land of wood and water" listen to this first of several episodes with Dr. Bertrand Bonnick. This fascinating historical perspective reveals how Jamaican history was forged by West Africans, Arawaks, Tainos, and Carib Indians who were living in Jamaica long before Christopher Columbus was commissioned by the Queen of Spain to travel there.  Did you know the Vikings were in North America before the Spanish and Portuguese? The Spanish converted Catholics (some were Portuguese Jewish), and those who served Spain, along with Africans (some were maroons and could not be enslaved) were in Jamaica along with the indigenous people (some of whom intermixed). Later came the British, some East Indians, Chinese, Scottish, Irish, Syrians, Germans, and others. If you are a history buff, you are going to love this episode. Comment below and let us know what you think. 

We sat down with DJ 'Lefty' Hernandez recently to have a very deep and healing conversation about his struggles with substance abuse and his ultimate recovery. He passionately shares his story from a place of vulnerability, fear, and triumph. 'Lefty' shares how, as a child of the sixties, living and growing up in Greenwich Village and how misfortune changed the trajectory of his family's life from the West Village to the Lower Eastside. Facing a new world where he goes from being Puerto Rican American, a minority, living in The Village, with European features. Although he was considered 'a minority' he was able to 'blend in' with other children of European descent. He now has to adapt and change when his family is forced to move into public housing in the Lower Eastside, where his family is now one of many Puerto Rican American families, but 'Lefty' is lost as a pre-teen who learns the mores of the other kids in his new community. He talks about how he picked up bad habits, is introduced to marijuana, booze, and sex at a very young age, and how it takes him off track. Later in the interview, 'Lefty' shares his painful memories of how becoming addicted to cocaine, takes a toll on him and takes him away from his family who loves him, whom he loves, but the influences are so strong he turns his back on his family. We share his story as a way to help others who are currently struggling with their own addictions. 'Lefty' learns how to survive during difficult times, spends a long-time in the darkness, and eventually finds redemption through the light through NA and through his relationship with Christ. For more information on resources available to individuals struggling with addiction to substances please visit the National Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline For information on where to find a Narcotics Anonymous Meeting near you, we invite you to visit: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/

We recently sat down with Nathalie Heywood-Smith, founder of Heywood-Smith Consulting, and Duncan Tree Foundation board member to hear what she had to say about job hunting strategies in a post-pandemic world, social distanced world. We think you'll enjoy learning from the insights Nathalie provides and are curious to hear your main takeaway from this important episode. Listen. Like. Share. 

Duncan Tree's podcast is aimed at uplifting minds, finances and souls. In this episode Ouida speaks with Mark A. Smith about his journey as a young athlete from Jamaica who landed a scholarship at Adelphi University. He became a banker who ultimately became a wealthy insurance broker, who remained humble and focused.

In this episode, Sheila Campbell-Forrester, MD, former Chief Medical Officer of Jamaica (a position similar to the surgeon general of the United States) sheds light on how to remain vigilant and safe during the pandemic and why it's important to be compassionate toward those who are fearful and hesitant about being vaccinated. For more information, to volunteer or to make a tax deductible donation to Duncan Tree Foundation, visit www.duncantreefounation.org