It was an honor being interviewed by Dr.Elizabeth Yuko, a freelance writer and bioethicist.
She and I could not believe that two doctors (she has a Ph.D. in bioethics!) would meet via an article she was writing for the New York Times Style Section.
After a dynamic interview about pandemic robes and casual wear she and I found out about our shared interests in ethics, mental health, gender and so much more!
I plan to interview her on the Dr. Denise Show in June.
Prior to her interviewing me I tuned in and my inner voice said “You are supposed to know Elizabeth for > reasons than this amazing & fun interview.”
It is so important to be mindful and also to have fun whenever we can!
This pandemic and being solo with my son for 10 weeks in quarantine with him doing zoom school and seeing patients via telehealth appointments has birthed the statement, “We are the robe family.”
He says this every time we finish our respective work days and change into our comfortable gear while in quarantine/stay at home mode.
Thank you for having me on your podcast to talk about COVID recovery, life during COVID while working and having the family all together, and our ventures (pre-pandemic) to the far reaches of the planet! First, I want to apologize that a little “frog” was in my throat during the entire conversation! But that is life in full-res with all of its imperfections, right?
I wanted to put a spotlight on a couple points for the listeners…. now more than ever before, we are becoming acutely aware of compassionate and adaptive leadership – what it is… and what it is not. From this time going forward, we will each, individually and as a collective, need to strengthen our agility muscle. This across multiple dimensions – physical, mental, spiritual and metaphysical. Historically, we were able to operate under a linear mentality, with structure, and great predictive ability based on high probabilities. That is no longer the case. In order to be innovative for the future, agility is a secret sauce ingredient.
We also spoke about online learning and how it is working for some students and not working for others. There are variables in this equation that need to come together for a successful knowledge exchange. It is an immediate imperative that teachers become gifted at the art of teaching online. It is not enough to just move a lecture from a classroom to an online platform. There are nuances to making it engaging, and using the tools of the platform strategically for success. The other aspect is the student, themselves. Some are going to thrive online and others will flounder. It will be incumbent again upon the teachers to pay attention to those struggles and help. All of this to say that, we have been appreciating that teachers have a tough job since #stayathome began. Imagine their job now going forward to manage content in person and online. Distance learning is here to stay. How it morphs into F2F learning is TBD. We will need to construct a better reward system for our educators (and for that matter our health care workers). This brings me to the next point that we covered….
Big business’ role in society. Business Roundtable announced last summer a change to the definition of a business. Previously held – Friedman economics that business role is profit for profit’s sake. Moving away from that, businesses role is also to have purpose and be socially responsible. That means, they have a role to play in the well being of our society and the sustainability of our planet. Luckily, over 60% of CEOs – in a recent survey by Fortune – said that the change to include purpose and a broader “stakeholder” responsibility is not new for them. They are on that road. Only 4% of the surveyed CEOs said that they don’t agree with this new framework. So, we do have the majority of our corporations thinking about broader impact, in addition to their profits. Having done my dissertation on Corporate Social Responsibility, I want to caution everyone in thinking that this is easy to accomplish and merely a task of turning on a switch. This is complex work, it is continuously evolving, and it is never ending. Nobody gets to “arrive” in their CSR. It is a continuous journey for these organizations and their leaders. It is a regenerative engaged learning process. There will be mistakes made along the way, errors in judgment, and poor decisions; for me, it is all in HOW these companies handle their stumbles when they happen and how they grow their CSR as a result. After all, nobody is perfect. Companies are make of people. Therefore, companies are imperfect. I always like to say that “culture is to an organization and character is to an individual.” I believe in the strength of having core values that lead decision making and a vision that looks to the future in a contributory way. (In other words, run away from – don’t walk – any company who says their vision is “to be the best in the world.” That is a self-centered vision and is not aspirational to all of its stakeholders, except maybe the investors.) A vision needs to be bold, and… well, visionary! haha. Doing the right thing means also doing it the right way. You can learn more on my website: itcsr.com.
You asked me who my favorite CEO is right now, and I said that it is Ed Bastian of Delta Airlines. I never thought that I would answer that question with someone who runs airlines because I think that often they take advantage of their customers – charging us for different seats in economy, for example. Down right ridiculous. The pandemic has been a little wake up call to them. They have had to get more customer-centric, health focused, and socially responsible. One thing that I have been paying attention to in the media is which CEOs have opted to not collect a salary for the rest of this year… in order to preserve jobs of their employees. First and foremost, Simon Sinek says it best that the C-level leaders are the alpha lions. They reap the benefits of that position in good times. But in battle? the expectation is that they go first to defend the herd. All options should be exhausted first before laying employees off. Even furloughs are better because employees keep their health care benefits. Under no circumstances should a CEO, who collects millionS every year, think it is ok to keep their salary for these next few months while some of their employees will undoubtedly be struggling to stay in their homes, feed their families, keep things going.
It is truly an honor to bring this interview with Kaliyani to all of you.
When we allow ourselves to be open to our Highest Level of Awareness, it is unimaginable what can unfold…
Kaliyani’s journey reveals her path of continued awakening, service, creativity, inspiration, and birthing of the Divine Feminine that is within US ALL.
Listen HERE:
Kaliyani is a spiritually inspired visionary, modern mystic, community builder and a passionate midwife to the rebirth of the Sacred Feminine in our collective consciousness. Her Soul purpose is reflected in her work as artist, writer, producer, soul coach, and facilitator of women’s sacred circles.
Kaliyani’s Conscious Media Company, Stargate Alliance has among other projects, since 2009 collaborated in the co-execution of a peace platform Peacelink and it’s world music concert Peacelink Live; the documentary Secrets of Love and a feature film, A Winter Rose.
Between 2014 and 2018 she has released two singles, Nammu’s Invocation and Tears For Inanna, which music videos together have garnered over 3.5 million views, with the first one reaching #2 on the billboard hot singles chart in 2017. Her work as a soul coach and facilitator of Women’s Sacred Circles, once only through word of mouth, will soon be accessible to all through KaliyaniSundari.com
Kaliyani’s latest dream project is a non-profit organization called GAEA Foundation, which acronym means Global Alliance for Equality Awareness. GAEA has a dual commitment to assist in the protection, healing and education of women and their children victims of domestic violence and to the funding of conscious media that brings awareness to women’s issues and gender equality.
For more on Kaliyani’s Media and Music you can now visit stargatealliance.net and kaliyanimusic.com , as for her soul coaching and Foundation, you can make a note to check KaliyaniSundari.com and GaeaInternational.org soon in 2020.
Thank you Kaliyani for Being here at this time in history to inspire US all to truly remember who WE are.
We are so absolutely BLOWN AWAY & grateful that our first DIVA DISCUSSIONS guest is Fashion Icon MATT SARAFA!
xoxo
Dr. Denise & Marjan
Listen here:
ABOUT
MATT SARAFA IS A LOS ANGELES BASED 22 YEAR OLD CELEBRITY FASHION DESIGNER AND REALITY TELEVISION PERSONALITY BEST KNOWN FOR HIS APPEARANCES ON THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS AND PROJECT RUNWAY JUNIOR. AS THE YOUNGEST DESIGNER TO HAVE EVER SHOWN AT NEW YORK, PARIS, AND LA FASHION WEEK, MATT HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE HE STARTED DESIGNING AT AGE 7. MATT IS A FULL-TIME COLLEGE STUDENT AT UCLA IN ADDITION TO RUNNING HIS OWN COMPANY AND DRESSING SOME OF THE BIGGEST NAMES IN HOLLYWOOD SUCH AS TYRA BANKS, IGGY AZALEA, LISARAYE MCCOY AND MANY MORE. THE MATT SARAFA BRAND HAS BEEN PUBLISHED BY PRESTIGIOUS MEDIA OUTLETS INCLUDING VOGUE GERMANY, VOGUE ESPAÑA TEENVOGUE, FORBES, HARPER’S BAZAAR, ELLE, GALORE, AND COUNTLESS OTHERS.
Matt & his Diva Mom
Marjan & Rupaul!
What are the chances that Matt and Marjan have the same Diva Inspiration… no other than RUPAUL! I love synergy and synchronicity!
A DIVA moment.. Right?
A message from Marjan after the show:
“Denise I can’t believe the synchronicity of the show. You had no idea I was a modeling scout and placement consultant for John Casablanca’s modeling agency and fashion college which is connecting to Elite!
My last minute oh by the way Denise-did you know I met Rupaul. I was so interested in this man because back at a time where it was not as socially accepted and it was still so new I was intrigued about how this man was diva enough to be himself. I would read autobiographies of people who would inspire me. He was one of them and the fact it turned out to also be Matt Sarafa’s not even knowing this or Matt!! So amazing!!
I am blown away!! Lol!!
I feel now the reason I had to go through so many of my life experiences and meeting so many personalities would be utilized to expand with Diva Discussions. Hey I am unknowingly a diva? Did I graduate no it’s just begun.
There has been so much synchronicity with you Denise too. Long time ago when we first met with Camille I had stated we were going to collaborate one day and now it’s the day. We had both felt it. Bringing inspiration during this time of the pandemic has not only been essential for us but it’s been a surreal time.
Forgive me for being in shock about all of this evolving. I had asked the universe for this and now that it’s appeared I have to just pinch myself and go with it. That yes indeed it is happening. Having met you and to do these inspirational shows with these incredible souls is unbelievable.
What better timing. What better opportunity than validating everyone’s light!” ~Marjan
“10% of every dollar spent will go directly to a charity in order to help those most greatly affected by the Covid-19 crisis. If we all need to wear face masks, lets look good doing it and help people along the way!”
Agree!
I just love it when a “Give It Forward Together” component is built into a vision, fashion item or event!
EnterPromo Code: DivaDiscuss for 10% off Aliki One Line!
Dr. Denise mentioned this bracelet on the show!
Siban (essence: the universe, universal presence) Believing in the unlimited potential of the feminine energy, seeking universal inspiration for all people, imagining possibilities without boundaries, promoting unity and oneness in the universe
****Please message @DrDeniseMD or @marjanimoomoo on Instagram if you have DIVA ideas or comments! BE kind and inspirational. We want to here from you!
Denise was back from her ski trip from Vail, Colorado when she received the call that one of her friends that she vacationed with was in the hospital and Covid-19 positive. She immediately self quarantined and was “flying blind” in mid March when tests were not available.
Listen here to find out her journey of recovery and her thoughts after recovering from the virus:
Dr.Denise Berger focuses on the development of leaders in both for-profit and non-profit organizations. She is a partner at Social Venture Partners. Denise has also been a TedX coach and an Annenberg/CNN Hero Fast Pitch coach. She teaches in the M.A. in Social Entrepreneurship & Change Program at Pepperdine University, and she has been a mentor in Colgate University’s Thought in Action program for college-level entrepreneurship initiatives.
Denise holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Pepperdine University and completed her dissertation on Corporate Social Responsibility. She was a Managing Director at Aon Risk Services, where she ran the East Coast operations of the Global Business Unit, which handled the multinational risk management needs of Fortune 500 companies.
With Covid-19 affecting ALL of HUMANITY I thought it was very important to bring you information on nutrition, health and immunity that is sacred wisdom and medicine from the East.
Dr. Padmapriya was kind to reach out to me early in the pandemic with some amazing information and how to “spice it up” via nutrition for optimal health so I thought it would be amazing to share her ancestral wisdom with all of you by interviewing her on my show!
Here is the episode:
Brief Bio data of Dr R. Padmapriya
Dr R Padmapriya obtained the Bachelor of Siddha Medicine and Surgery (BSMS) from Government Siddha Medical College, Tirunelveli in 1992. She also holds the Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling and Psychotherapy and Diploma in Cosmetology.
Dr. Padmapriya has more than 25 years of experience as a Siddha consultant and is the proprietress of Amruthi Siddha Clinic in Velachery, Chennai. She is the president of Centre for Traditional Medicine and Research, Chennai. She specializes in the treatment of diabetology, muscular skeletal problems, skin disorders, pediatric care, adolescent gynecological issues, and prenatal and postnatal care. She combines modern diagnostic tools with traditional and holistic techniques for treating patients with chronic and life-style diseases, and stress related behavioral disorders. In addition, Dr. Padmapriya is also well versed in herbal cosmetology, mind-beauty techniques, and anti-ageing therapy. Dr.Padmapriya is a resource person for CME on Child survival and Safe Motherhood. She regularly trains young women on Pre-natal postnatal care and safe delivery and also trains adolescent girls on anemia and has been successful in treating many for female infertility.
Dr.Padmapriya has been associated with the documentation, validation of traditional health, healthy dietary suggestions and recipes of local communities and healers. As an resource person in the field was part of CTMR in the Accreditation and Certification of Prior learning of traditional health practitioners in Vellore district of Tamil Nadu
Dr Padmapriya has carried out research in herbal nutrition and dietetics for periodical, routine, balanced day-to-day health upkeep and preventive therapy.
Currently she is writing a column in Dhina thanthi Sunday edition on herbal foods which is well received by public and often sought opinion by TV channels on health issues thereby create public awareness
She has written many articles in magazines and papers and delivered talks on Ethnic and Traditional Food on the principle ‘Food is Medicine and Medicine is Food’. She has authored few books on handling.
Dr.Padmapriya has travelled to many middle east and far east asian countries and delivered lectures for Non – resident Tamil Diaspora on Siddha medicine and provided consultation.
Is the founder of Wait4me App, the author of the novel Fishing with Godand the producer of the soon to be released documentary Still Here chronicling the trafficking and organ harvesting of Bosnian Romani orphans.
Chris grew up in Babylon Long Island in the Township of Lindenhurst went to Nassau College and Hofstra university, studied psychology economics and theater.
After college Christ became a stockbroker and financial manager for the likes of Myers Pollock and Robbins and Merrill Lynch, before becoming a district manager of orange county for American express financial advisors.
In a lateral career movement he chose the endeavor of film financing in Los Angeles where he is in the mantle of Producer then exactly producer for the film company Intercept entertainment on the Paramount Raleigh Studios film lot.
Currently Chris is the founder of Wait4Me app in the new media digital age.
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