This may be my last podcast...about sports collectibles! As many of you know, at the beginning of this year, my family and I jumped off the cliff and purchased Ray's Sports Collection which included a storefront at Traders World and a warehouse full of collectibles. From the beginning, I knew this was a short-term focus until the speaking industry came back—but I didn't know just how short-term it would be until an amazing guy named Tim walked into our store. In this episode, I’m sharing the amazing story of how we sold Ray’s Sports Collection. You won’t want to miss this one. Visit curtiszimmerman.com to learn more.
When we jumped off the cliff and purchased Ray's Sports Collection, I didn't want to take the leap without knowing that we'd have enough margin to be generous. Yes, it's a business—but surprising and delighting customers by giving away the unexpected is our core value. So in this episode, I'm sharing some amazing stories of what generosity has led to in this venture, along with why I chose this over Zoom meetings during the pandemic. I'd be honored if you listened.
For many years, Ray's Sports Collection was just that—Ray's! Ray is a real guy who sold his incredible inventory of sports cards and collectibles to me, and in this episode, I honor him and his decision to sell his collection to me. If you're a collector yourself, you've probably had this passing thought: What happens to my collection when I'm gone? I'm also sharing stories of other collectors who made great plans for their collection, and ones who didn't, plus the one thing that will always be more important than your collection. To learn more about me and what I do, visit my website: https://curtiszimmerman.com/
Family has been the most meaningful part of the Ray's Sports Collection journey. All five Zimmermans have been an integral part of the process, but today, I want to share with you how my sons Noah and Oliver have gotten involved. We're sharing how Noah made the decision to take a semester off of college, how Oliver became my business partner at age 16, and the lessons we've learned along the way. For exclusive product offers, like our Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/rayssportscollection/
In March of 2020, all of my keynote speaking jobs were canceled or indefinitely postponed. That meant that instead of traveling the country, I was in my basement. During that time, I had more time for one of my favorite hobbies: Sports Collectibles. I spent my weekends at garage sales and flea markets, creating displays for my favorite cards—and then, I was given the offer of a lifetime to buy one of the largest Sports Memorabilia collections in the world. In this episode, I’m sharing what I did next, how you can turn your hobby into a new venture, and what to do with your collectibles. Tune in! Follow and like Ray’s Sports Collection on Facebook for exclusive product offers: https://www.facebook.com/rayssportscollection/ To see the video version of Keynotes to Collectibles videos, visit my YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/CurtisZimmerman/videos
There is one thing that stands in between the person we are now and the person who we want to be: DISCOMFORT. Today’s episode is all about how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, find your “why” and achieve your dreams. My guest, Noe Rizo first saw my speech his freshman year of college at Western Michigan University. It made him realize he wanted to become a keynote speaker, and the mindset he has cultivated and the things he has achieved since then are nothing short of inspiring. I can’t wait for you to hear his story. Check out Noe’s YouTube Channel, The Wolf Pack: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwDEyXgrA-J_MUGOjhKsr5Q Follow Noe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewolfpacknr/?hl=en Find Noe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWolfPackNR
How do you find your passion, keep evolving, make a pivot in a pandemic—and delight your audience along the way? My next guest has been called a combination of Mr. Rogers and Shel Silverstein, and he’s going to share how he’s done all of the above. Meet Zak Morgan, a Grammy-nominated childrens’ musician—but forget everything you know about childrens’ music. His interactive live performances are led with warmth, wordplay, laughter, and positive messages as he encourages children to read, imagine and believe in themselves. I can’t wait for you to hear from him, learn from him and be inspired by him. Learn more about my Virtual School Assembly: https://curtiszimmerman.com/virtual-school-assembly/ Learn more about Zak: https://zakmorgan.com/
Teachers, parents, principals and administrators—this episode is especially for you. But it’s also the wake up from Pandemic Fatigue that we ALL need. My guest on this episode is teacher-of-the-year turned education guru, Alex Kajitani. He’s sharing invaluable lessons on how to build powerful relationships with students during remote learning, how to cultivate compassion and resilience in your kids (and in yourself!) and what it means to find gratitude and positivity in the midst of grief and hardship. Learn more about my Virtual Assembly Program: https://curtiszimmerman.com/virtual-school-assembly/ Learn more about Alex’s work: https://alexkajitani.com/
You’re in the in-between. You’ve decided to leave your current job, or maybe you’ve been laid off, and it’s time to write the next chapter. My next guest, Grady Lenski is a giant of the optical industry who recently reinvented himself and went from a corporate role to a consulting/entrepreneurial one. His mindset and perspectives on being in the in-between will empower you to claim agency in your career and write a next chapter that’s even better than your last. Listen in! Get access to my free VIP Experience: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtiszimmermangroup/ Connect with Grady on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gradylenski/
The quality of a child’s education can determine the quality of their life—and we live in a country of vast educational inequality. Virginia Walden Ford, my guest today, was a mother in D.C. who feared that she would lose her son to the streets unless he had better educational opportunity. Her journey to give him the schooling he needed led to a lifelong calling to give all parents and students the power to choose a school that meets their needs. She’s the subject of the 2019 film, Miss Virginia, and I’m so honored to have her on the show so that you can hear her story. In this episode, she shares universal lessons about the power of getting uncomfortable, how to mobilize large-scale change, overcome fear, and create a life of profound impact. To learn more about the virtual program I've created to serve educators and students in this time, click here: https://curtiszimmerman.com/virtual-school-assembly/ To learn more about Virginia Walden Ford, visit her website: https://www.virginiawaldenford.com/
Can you see opportunity and purpose within the changes that are taking place? My next guest is an inspirational example of turning crisis into connection and pain points into purpose. Her name is Stacy Vorhees, and she’s the owner/operator of four McDonald’s restaurants. Whatever you thought about McDonald’s going into this podcast, Stacy is going to give you a new perspective on why their business model is such a success (especially in the midst of the pandemic), and how you can embrace passion and purpose in your own life and business too. Learn more about our work with McDonald’s: https://curtiszimmerman.com/mcdonalds/
How do we support teachers, protect students and provide quality education as the pandemic and back-to-school season collide? Today’s guests are going to help answer those questions. I’m interviewing Liz Dreckman and Dr. Barbara Duncan of School Choice Arizona, an organization that helps families find the best educational options for their kids and supports a network of over 450 schools. They’re sharing what we can expect for the upcoming school year, how we can better equip our families for remote learning, and what we need to know if our kids go back to the classroom. I’ve been in awe of Liz and Barbara’s hearts for children and the impact they’ve made since I’ve spoken at School Choice events for the past couple of years, and I’m so excited for you to hear their insights. Ten strategies to Maintain Sanity During Family Quarantine: https://curtiszimmerman.com/10-strategies-to-maintain-sanity-during-family-quarantine/ VIP Experience: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Learn more about School Choice AZ: https://schoolchoicearizona.org/
The number one thing that holds people back from their goals is the fear of failure—either the fear that their past failure defines them or that their future failure will. On today’s episode, I’m sharing everything I know about leaving behind old-scripts, putting down what you shouldn’t be carrying and living in the present so that you can step into the life that you deserve. Access my Virtual VIP Experience: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Learn more about what I do: curtiszimmerman.com
How do you surprise and delight customers in a world where in-person experiences are off the table? What does employee engagement even mean when Zoom calls are the new norm? I know that if you’re a marketer or leader, you’re asking these questions. That’s why I’m thrilled to be interviewing Brad Pappas, an experiential marketing guru who I like to think of as the Willy Wonka of marketing. He is sharing the secrets to making consumers smile, coming up with fresh creative ideas, and bringing new life to brands—even during a pandemic. Get access to my free VIP Experience, including the free audiobook: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Learn more about what Brad does: https://instigatormk.com/ Learn more about me: https://curtiszimmerman.com/
It keeps you stuck. It makes the big changes thrown your way harder to survive, and it drains your productivity. It’s what is halting progress in today’s world, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’ve been feeling frustrated by other people, powerless, or overwhelmed by change—this episode is for you. I’m walking you through the phenomenon that I call “The Blame Game,” and I’m giving you a new mindset for emerging from challenging situations empowered, rather than discouraged. Don’t miss this one! Get access to my free VIP Experience, including the free audiobook: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE
Well, this is a first! On today’s episode, I’m interviewing my three teenagers: Noah, who’s in college and Mirabelle and Oliver who are in high school. You'll get to hear their take on online learning, what it was like to be quarantined as a family for three months, and how they’re processing the pandemic. I learned some new things by sitting down to talk to them—what the three positives and negatives were of quarantine, what they really thought of online learning, and what they’re most looking forward to doing outside the house. My hope is that this episode will inspire you with questions to ask your friends and family members and give you insight into a teen’s experience of COVID-19. Get access to my free VIP Experience, including the free audiobook here: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE
Has a sudden change taken away everything you knew? You’re not alone: I’ve had many conversations with people over the last few months who have been forced into major change during COVID, and I want to share what I tell them with you. Whether you’ve gotten laid off, been diagnosed with an illness or are grappling with a loss, this episode will help you reframe your outlook when a change you didn’t choose comes out of the blue and into your world. I’m walking you through the difference between shock and wonder, how you can have more of the latter, rebuild your confidence, and get where you want to go faster. Get access to my free VIP Experience, including the free audiobook: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Learn more about me: https://curtiszimmerman.com/
So you want to be the best boss ever—but where do you start? My guest Don Frericks is a leadership expert and author of the book “Best Boss Ever” who has spent his career interviewing and coaching top corporate leaders, and he’s graciously sharing some amazing takeaways that will help you understand the difference between leadership and influence, the five steps of the rapid leadership development process, and how to dig deep and build on your strengths. His wisdom is foundational for leading and living with integrity, whether you’re a manager or a CEO. Join us for this transformational conversation! Get access to my free VIP Experience, including the free audiobook: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Learn more about Don: https://donfrericks.com/ Learn more about me: https://curtiszimmerman.com/
How do great leaders become great? New York Times bestselling author Tommy Spaulding believes it’s through the way we love, serve and elevate others. I couldn’t agree more, and I am so thrilled to have him on the show today for a very special episode where he’s sharing the story of the National Leadership Academy, the annual conference he puts on for high school students. He’s also telling us about the unprecedented journey he’s taking this summer to keep the mission of NLA going strong in the midst of COVID-19. I know this episode will inspire you as we find new ways to serve and grow together post-pandemic. Get access to my free VIP Experience, including the free audiobook: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Change the lives of teens by donating to NLA: https://bit.ly/donateNLA Learn more about Tommy: https://tommyspaulding.com/
Ironically, diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace have divided us. There are those of us who see their importance in profoundly personal ways and there are others of us who think they’re unnecessary or condemning. Regardless of where your thinking falls, this episode will speak to you in empowering, insightful ways that will help you to show up at work as your best, most authentic self. I’m interviewing Julie Kratz of Next Pivot Point who is sharing her refreshing expertise on how to make diversity and inclusion a reality that everyone can get in on. Get access to the free Life at Performance Level Audiobook, eBook and more: https://bit.ly/CZVIPFREE Learn more about what I do: https://curtiszimmerman.com/ Find out more about Julie: https://nextpivotpoint.com/