One Quick Point

In this conversation, I'm joined by Amanda Miller Littlejohn, executive coach and author of the new book - The Rest Revolution: The Rest Revolution: How to Reclaim Your Rhythm and Conquer Burnout When Overworking Has Become the Norm. Amanda and I discuss insights on taking stock of your skills, reconnecting with purpose, and centering joy as you step into the next phase of your career. Drawing from her book, The Rest Revolution, we also explore how burnout can be a turning point that pushes us to realign our work with what truly fulfills us. Whatever 2025 holds for you, this conversation will arm you with the mindset shift and practical steps to make a career pivot if necessary. Whether you’re considering a brand shift, industry change, or simply want to renew your approach to work, join us to explore how to bring clarity and energy back into your professional journey.

In this conversation, Nikeiva shares her origin story and perspective, highlighting the influential life stages she has experienced. She discusses her transition to Brewster, a high school away from home, and the impact it had on her worldview. Nikeiva also talks about her move to Colorado, which solidified her independence and adulthood. She defines transition as the art form of moving from one thing to the next, comparing it to the stages of labor. Despite not liking change, Nikeiva embraces it because she recognizes that it is necessary for personal growth.   In this conversation, Nikeiva discusses her experiences with transition and how she has learned to embrace change. She shares her initial resistance to change and how she had to learn to let go of control. Nikeiva also talks about the lessons she has learned from her transitions and the importance of being open to the process. She compares transition to the process of giving birth and emphasizes the need to breathe and be open during intense periods of change. Overall, Nikeiva highlights the constant and ever-changing nature of life and the importance of embracing transition.   Takeaways Transition is the art form of moving from one thing to the next and involves a flow of energy. Experiencing different cultures and being away from familiar surroundings can help individuals discover their true selves and grow as individuals. Change is necessary for personal growth, even though it may be uncomfortable and challenging. Recognizing patterns and being open to change can lead to personal and spiritual development. Finding sources of energy and peace, such as music and being near water, can help navigate transitions and provide solace during challenging times. Resistance to change is natural, but it is important to let go of control and be open to new possibilities. Transitions often come with valuable lessons that can help us grow and evolve. During intense periods of change, it is important to breathe, be open, and embrace the process. Life is constant and ever-changing, and it is important to be open and willing to see what happens on the other side of transition.

In this conversation, James and Brian discuss the importance of being intentional about who we want to be and how it shapes our lives.   They explore the concept of setting 'Be goals' (or being goals) instead of 'to-do goals' and how this can lead to personal fulfillment. Brian shares his experience of setting a theme for each year and how it has influenced his mindset and actions.   James reflects on his own journey of self-discovery and the realization that being true to oneself is essential. The conversation emphasizes the importance of deep reflection and finding joy and peace in uncertain and challenging times.   Takeaways Being intentional about who we want to be shapes our lives and actions. Setting 'Be goals' (being goals) can lead to personal fulfillment and develops character. Deep reflection and self-discovery are essential for finding joy and peace in uncertain and challenging times. Simply being is the first step. 

In this episode, Russell Fugett shares his origin story, family history, and details about the influential people in his life - all connected to his journey and efforts to fulfull his mission. He discusses the importance of reflection and the role of faith in his personal growth, as well as the need for perseverance. During the conversation, he and James Walker discuss the concept of mission and how it relates to vision and values. Russell emphasizes the importance of understanding one's assignment and how it can change over time. In the last year, Russell has launched Equity Endowment, a nonprofit project aimed at closing the Black wealth gap by creating an endowment fund. Though he is still working on the full articulation of his mission, Russell is dedicated to making an impact in the world at large. Takeaways Reflection is a key theme in Russell Fugett's life and personal growth. Russell's origin story is shaped by his family history, including his ancestors' legacy as business owners and their contributions to society. The mantra of 'keep going no matter what' has been influential in Russell's journey. Finding peace and incorporating spiritual practice are essential for personal well-being and growth. The conversation sets the stage for a deeper exploration of mission and purpose. Mission is the goal or purpose on the journey of life, and it can evolve and change over time. Understanding one's assignment and who they are here to serve is crucial in defining mission. Constant learning, seeking clarity, and being open to change are essential in finding and refining mission. Having a spiritual practice, being self-aware, and investing in personal well-being contribute to a grounded and impactful mission.

Kyle grew up in Philadelphia with parents who believed in him and invested in his education. He had a strong support system in his community and mentors who provided guidance and perspectives that were key to his journey. Now, as the president of Guilford College, Kyle is passionate about creating opportunities for others and opening doors for students. He values the power of new experiences and enjoys seeing others' eyes light up with excitement. Kyle's pursuit of knowledge and his diverse educational background, including multiple degrees and a law degree, have shaped his career in higher education administration. In this conversation, James and Kyle discuss their personal backgrounds and the influence of their parents on their career paths. They explore the value of education and the changing perception of a college degree. Kyle shares his experience organizing the Guilford Dialogues, a series of conversations focused on economic inclusion. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities for economic inclusion in different contexts, including his work in South Africa. Throughout the conversation, Kyle emphasizes the importance of mentorship in unlocking opportunities at the individual level.

Janel Young, a creative artist and former agency professional, shares her origin story and journey to becoming a full-time creative. She discusses her love for exploration, unconventional collaboration, and the influence of her middle school years at a creative and performing arts school. Janelle reflects on her relationship with rest and the burnout she experienced in the agency grind. She made the brave decision to leave the agency world and focus on what made her happy, eventually finding her passion as an artist. During this transition, Janelle discovered the importance of structured rest and the need to prioritize her own creative fulfillment. In this conversation, Janel Young discusses her journey to finding balance and authority over her life, and how rest played a crucial role in this process. She shares how she made rest practical in her busy schedule and how she prioritized it by planning vacations and setting boundaries. The conversation also explores the shift in work culture and the importance of setting boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Janel Young emphasizes the value of taking extended breaks and embracing the seasonality of rest. Lastly, she highlights the support and perspectives of her family throughout her journey. The main takeaway is that rest is not only necessary but also productive. Takeaways Exploration and unconventional collaboration are key aspects of Janelle Young's creative journey. The agency grind often leads to burnout and a lack of fulfillment. Structured rest and prioritizing creative fulfillment are essential for personal and professional growth. Making the brave decision to pursue what makes you happy can lead to a more fulfilling and purposeful life.

In this conversation, James and Joshua discuss various topics, including origin stories, searching for ancestry, the impact of divorce, what gives Joshua energy and peace, parenting and instilling will, and the idea of writing a book. Joshua shares his personal experiences and reflections, providing insights into his journey and perspectives on life. In this conversation, James and his friend discuss the concept of friendship. They reflect on their own friendship and how it has evolved over the years. They explore the definition of friendship and how it differs from what is portrayed on TV. They also discuss the challenges of making new friends after the age of 30 and the changing dynamics of friendship as people enter different life stages. They emphasize the importance of grace and giving more than you receive in friendships. They also discuss the role of friends in their lives and the need for friends to continue growing and ascending together. Takeaways Origin stories and ancestry can shape one's identity and understanding of self. Experiencing divorce can be a transformative and rebuilding process. It's a beautiful thing when you can find energy and peace in serving and helping others. Friendship is a deep and reciprocal bond that requires transparency, trust, and fun. TV shows often depict friendships differently from real life, where friendships are often smaller and more intimate. Making new friends after the age of 30 can be challenging, but it is still possible. Friendships require intentional effort and the willingness to give more than you receive. Grace is an essential element of friendship, allowing for forgiveness and growth. Friends play different roles in our lives, from providing support during difficult times to sharing joy and laughter. As friendships evolve, it is important to continue growing and ascending together.  

Welcome to One Quick Point, the podcast focused on unpacking life. I'm James Walker, your host. On this episode, I'm joined by very good friend, Josh Porter. I've known him for 15 years now, and we have been through some things, much of which we go through in this podcast. When I thought about One Quick Point and how I wanted to start this journey of really unpacking life and the themes surrounding what many of us go through as we go on this collective journey, friendship was one that I knew I wanted to go through and there really isn't a better person that I could dig into it with with Josh because of the things that we've seen and we talked about, like marriage, adoption, divorce, loss, death. There's a lot that I've experienced in those past 15 years and he's been right there for much of it. So we have a really open, honest conversation around those themes and I wanted to share this with you and hopefully it'll give you a nice reflection point of something that you'll see in your own friendship. One thing I do want to call out is that this is a two -parter. It didn't start out that way, that wasn't the plan, but I want to start every episode of One Quick Point with what I'm calling origin stories.  These are things that allow us to really understand who we are and how the childhoods we've had or the other things that we've experienced throughout life, maybe how they shape our current perspective. And the origin story of Josh and I, we started going back and forth and it was some really rich, rich conversations. So I ended up splitting the podcast into two. So this first part is much of our origin story and leads up into the bridge on one quick point on friendship. But that'll be part two. So hopefully you'll join us for the ride. I won't say much more. Let's jump in. One quick point on Friendship, part one.

On this episode, Asha Aravindakshan, VP of Customer Delight and Operations at Sprinklr, joins us to share her thoughts on pivoting careers, based on her experiences moving through the public, private, and non-profit sectors. She's compiled her experiences, along with several interviews from folks who've made their own pivots, into the soon-to-be-released book "Skills: The Common Denominator."  Listen in to hear Asha's take on how every professional can make the right pivots in their careers.  

So you think you're a strategist? Listen to this episode and see how you stack up against our guest Ivan's definition of a strategist and his take on the role they play in PR and Marketing work.  In his discussion with host James Sylvester Walker, he talks about top resources, identifies the core components of a real strategic brief, and shed some light on why he joined One Quick Point from an Airstream in Mexico!

So you've created a personal brand...what's the next right move? Building a valuable platform, something you can leverage in order to create real world IMPACT. Listen to this episode of One Quick Point, as I dig into Bozoma Saint John's brand, the recent AdAge debacle, and the core components of any strong executive platform. 

In this episode of One Quick Point, Tejas Totade - Chief Technology Officer at Ruder Finn - joins us to explore the comms tech trends on his radar. This turned out to be one of the most fun conversations of the year. It ran the gamut.  We explored everything from advocacy, audience targeting/segmentation, and audio tweets to Cameo, WWE, and the best song to ever hit the charts...Return of the Mack!   

Your impact may be big or small, but to me, the best kind of impact is tangible. In this episode of One Quick Point, I chat with Karla Renee Williams, Founder and CEO of Small Change. Listen in to hear her story and learn about the tangible impact she and a mighty group of committed volunteers are making for New York City residents in need. 

Chris van Bergen, CFO/COO of Nest, joins us to talk about the best ways to think about corporate social responsibility (CSR) and Social Impact. Nest works with artisan businesses around the world, so if you're looking for a mini-history on supply chains and ethical manufacturing, as well as a tour of recent trends, this is the episode for you. 

Just this once, we are putting the clients, our brands and orgs on the side, and we're going to focus on ourselves. In this episode, we talk about the concept of Purposescaping and how we all can use it in our own lives to clear the path ahead on personal and professional levels. 

One Quick Point is BACK with a new season! Our guest today is Amber Cabral a leading inclusion and equity strategies and the author of the new book Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture, available via AlliesandAdvocates.com.  In this episode, we dig into what it means to truly be an ally and what performative allyship looks and feels like, in addition to identifying the One Quick Point communication and marketing professionals can use to be more successful on the allyship journey. 

In this episode of One Quick Point, I share my thoughts on the best approach to integrated media and answer your questions about B2B marketing. This is not one to miss for anyone in the Public Relations or Marketing space. Give this a listen! 

Marriott is entering the home rental business just in time to steal some of the shine amidst AirBnB IPO buzz. Here's my take on what is shaping up to be a battle between "brand cool" and scale. Today's episode features a new segment called One Quick Question. Listen in!

P&G / Gillette's latest campaign "The Best Men Can Be" has sparked a great deal of discussion about #MeToo, the role of marketers/brands on serious issues, and the quality of the campaign. Here are my thoughts on three things P&G / Gillette could do to improve their campaign.

Product placement is on the rise again. Have you seriously looked into this as an option for your brand? You should consider it as a big play for 2019. Listen in as we explore on One Quick Point.