MINDSET ZONE

If you are in the business world, in the present moment, you are facing the hundred foot wave of the AI disruption." - Ana Melikian, Ph.D.







In this episode, Ana Melikian dives into the tumultuous yet opportunity-rich world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for the business landscape. Using the metaphor of a "hundred-foot wave," Ana vividly illustrates the dual nature of the AI revolution—both its disruptive potential and its ability to create new possibilities.



Ana shares her insights on how some business leaders are choosing to either ignore or obsessively control this technological tidal wave. However, she advocates for an alternative approach, likening it to "surfing the wave," where teamwork and collaboration become essential to harnessing AI's energy for a better future.







Ana emphasizes the importance of mindset shifts in dealing with AI, urging listeners to embrace the present moment and leverage the collective strengths of their teams. She sees surfing the AI wave not as a solo endeavor, but as a collaborative pursuit, where innovation and intentionality are key.



Join Ana as she explores how to navigate this AI disruption, transforming potential threats into opportunities for impact. Whether you're a business owner or professional, Ana encourages you to expand your mindset and engage in this crucial conversation about our technological future.



Let's dive in!















This week on the MINDSET ZONE podcast:



00:00 Introduction to the AI Disruption



00:59 Facing the 100-Foot AI Wave



03:57 The Two Extremes: Ignoring vs. Overwhelming



06:57 Surfing the 100-Foot AI Wave



09:35 The Importance of Teamwork



11:58 Mindset Shifts for the Future



13:05 Conclusion and Call to Action







Meet Your Host:



Ana Melikian, Ph.D., advises leaders on how to amplify impact while avoiding burnout. She is passionate about teaching others how to unlock their human potential using simple and powerful approaches such as her P.I.E. method.



𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭?



Set a time to speak with Ana HERE and learn about your (or your team's) burnout risk and how to enhance well-being, effectiveness, and teamwork!







Resources:



100-Foot Wave TV Series











Related Episodes:











Expand What’s Possible!

Experiential retreats are powerful; they create something deeply transformational." – Sheri Rosenthal







In this episode, host Ana Melikian opens the floor to Sheri Rosenthal, a retreat strategist and founder known for orchestrating transformative experiences. Sheri shares the heartfelt impact that her first retreat experience had on her life, marking a turning point more profound than any personal therapy or career move she had experienced before. Ana and Sheri delve into how stepping away from one's usual environment into a retreat can spark powerful personal transformation by fostering a non-judgmental, experiential learning space.



Sheri discusses how her journey from a successful medical career to creating transformational retreats underscores the power of travel and experiential learning. She highlights that whether it's through reading influential books or attending spiritual retreats, the journey toward personal growth and self-awareness is significantly deepened by immersive experiences.







As they explore the trend of experiential and transformational travel, Sheri emphasizes the importance of crafting retreats that resonate meaningfully with participants, matching content to location and offering kinesthetic, unique experiences that are hard to achieve otherwise. They also highlight the importance of incorporating in-person retreats in a digital age.



Join us as Ana and Sheri discuss the lasting impact of retreat experiences and offer insights into designing your own transformative journeys.



Let's dive in!







This week on the MINDSET ZONE:



00:00 Life-Changing Retreat Experience



00:20 Introduction to the Mindset Zone



00:58 Meet Sherry Rosenthal: Retreat Strategist



01:56 Sherry's Bold Career Shift



05:44 The Transformative Power of Retreats



08:06 The Magic of In-Person Retreats



14:41 Crafting Experiential Retreats



20:49 The Growing Trend of Wellness Travel



22:48 Resources for Planning Your Own Retreat



24:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts







About The Guest



Sheri Rosenthal is the founder and chief retreat strategist at Wanderlust Entrepreneur®, where she helps heart-centered entrepreneurs create transformational, profitable retreats.



With over two decades of experience in the retreat industry, she's had the honor of working with top names, including don Miguel Ruiz, author of "The Four Agreements."  With a community of over 65,000 passion-fueled entrepreneurs, she empowers them to design, price, promote, and monetize transformational retreats that leave a lasting impact, while traveling the world and earning a profit to be proud of. 



Sheri is also the CEO of Journeys of the Spirit Travel, a boutique agency that has planned and managed over 1000 retreats worldwide since 2003.















Special Resource:



Ultimate Retreat Countdown Checklist & Jumpstart Guide







Connect with:



Linkedin.com/in/sherirosenthal



WanderlustEntrepreneur.com



JourneysOfTheSpirit.com







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Expand What’s Possible

We all fall prey to power blindness." - Jamie Woolf







In this episode, Ana Melikian sits down with Jamie Woolf, the first Director of Culture at Pixar Animation Studios, to delve into why good people often become bad bosses. Drawing from her TED Talk and rich experience with companies like Pixar and Google, Jamie explains the concept of "power blindness" that plagues many leaders once they rise to authority.



Throughout their conversation, Ana and Jamie discuss how this loss of perspective can stifle creativity and innovation within organizations. They explore the essential need for leaders to maintain self-awareness, practice honest reflection, and foster environments where open dialogue and dissent are encouraged. Jamie shares insights from her own journey, shedding light on the importance of diverse perspectives in cultivating true innovation.







The episode also touches on the role of artificial intelligence and its impact on leadership and creativity, with Jamie emphasizing the unique human skills of analytical thinking and emotional intelligence that AI cannot replicate. She stresses the importance of blending technology with the heart—just as she witnessed during her time at Pixar—to create magic in leadership and organizational culture.



Let’s dive in!







This week on the MINDSET ZONE:



00:00 Understanding Power Blindness



00:29 Introduction to the Mindset Zone



01:07 Meet Jamie Wolfe: Innovation Expert



02:10 The Impact of Bad Bosses on Creativity



04:45 Personal Experiences with Leadership



07:11 Red Flags and Self-Reflection for Leaders



09:54 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives



20:47 AI's Role in Leadership and Creativity



24:11 Conclusion and Resources







About The Guest



Jamie Woolf, CEO of Creativity Partners, is a renowned innovation cultivator, speaker, and founder of Creativity Partners. She was the first Director of Culture at Pixar Animation Studios where she was recruited to be a force for “constructive disruption.”



With 30+ years of experience practicing organizational psychology and certifications in executive coaching, Jamie has inspired thousands worldwide to embrace innovation as a catalyst for personal and organizational transformation.



Drawing on her impactful work with organizations like Google, Dreamworks, Gilead, University of California, and Pixar Animation, Jamie brings a contagious passion for empowering others to lead with creativity and innovation.



When not working, eating or sleeping, Jamie can be found on a tennis court or hiking trail. She lives in the Bay Area with her partner, Dave, and she's proud of her two grown kids, Anna and Leah.







Jamie Woolf quote







Connect with:



Jamie Woolf on LinkedIn



Creativity-partners.com







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Expand What’s Possible

Your accent is the sound map of your life." - Dr. Leslie Gordon







In this episode, Ana Melikian sits down with Dr. Leslie Gordon to delve into the nuances of finding your authentic voice. They explore how authenticity in communication goes beyond just words and articulation, emphasizing a holistic integration of mind, body, and speech.



Leslie shares her unique insights from linguistics and voice coaching, explaining that our true voice is revealed when our mind, body, and speech are in alignment. Authenticity, she notes, is not about achieving perfection but about being genuine and fully present in each moment of communication.







The conversation shifts from discussing the mental intention behind speech to the vital role of physical presence and energy in conveying our messages. Leslie introduces the concept of "energy made audible" and explains how our physical posture and presence can significantly affect the effectiveness of our communication.



Ana and Leslie also touch on the significance of regional and personal accents, highlighting them as integral parts of our identity. They discuss the delicate balance between adapting our accents for effective communication and staying true to our authentic selves.



This episode is packed with practical insights on elevating our communication skills by aligning our intentions, physical presence, and speech patterns. Leslie's expertise offers listeners valuable guidance on embracing their unique voice and using it to connect more deeply with others.



Let's dive in!







This week on the MINDSET ZONE:



00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Communication



00:17 Welcome to the Mindset Zone



00:55 Exploring Authentic Voice with Dr. Leslie Gordon



01:40 Understanding the Authentic Voice



03:01 The Role of Mind in Communication



08:04 The Importance of Body in Communication



11:15 The Impact of Presence on Communication (Patsy Rodenburg's work)



18:02 Speech Patterns and Accents



27:04 Personal Stories and Accent Adaptation



30:14 Conclusion and Resources







About The Guest



Dr. Leslie Gordon is a passionate advocate for authenticity, emphasizing the harmony between mind, body, and speech as the foundation for genuine communication. She believes that true presence and effective messaging arise when these three facets align, allowing individuals to express their authentic selves. Leslie champions the idea that authenticity is not synonymous with perfection; instead, it embodies genuine self-expression. In a world increasingly valuing sincerity, Leslie's insights highlight the importance of understanding and conveying one's true essence.



















Connect with:



Linkedin.com/in/leslie-gordon-phd/



lesliegordonspeech.com/



Instagram.com/leslie.gordon.speech







Resources:



Book: Presence: How to Use Positive Energy for Success in Every Situation by Patsy Rodenburg







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Expand What’s Possible

What you focus on is what you get more of." - Cindy Zurchin







In this episode, host Ana Melikian speaks with Dr. Cindy Zurchin, a visionary leader with over 30 years of experience in transforming workplace culture, about the power of creating fun and thriving work environments. Cindy enlightens us on how incorporating trust, positivity, and innovation into workplace culture can lead to enhanced productivity and satisfaction.



Ana and Cindy delve into the challenges many face in traditional toxic workspaces and the steps one can take to shift from a culture of negativity to one of encouragement and growth. Cindy shares her own journey from adopting a tough management style to embracing servant leadership, highlighting the significance of building a people-centric organization. She presents her proven strategies encapsulated in the "Raise the BAR" initiative, focusing on Building trust, Activating positivity, and Redirecting mistakes.







Listeners will gain valuable insights on how to initiate positive changes in their environments, from small business settings to large organizations, and the importance of recognition and gratitude in cultivating a healthy work culture.



Motivation, acknowledgment, and the implementation of servant leadership are at the core of Cindy's approach, promising not only improved business outcomes but also a more fulfilling professional life.



Let's dive in!







This week on the MINDSET ZONE:



00:00 Recognizing Employees: The Power of Acknowledgment



00:28 Introduction to the Mindset Zone



01:06 Meet Cindy  Zurchin: Transforming Workplace Culture



01:29 The Vision of a Fun Workplace



04:25 Understanding Toxic Workplaces



06:04 Cindy's Personal Journey in Leadership



12:17 From Toxic to Thriving: Real-Life Transformations



15:18 Raise the BAR: Building Trust and Positivity



18:23 Advice for Leaders: Changing Toxic Work Cultures



24:47 Conclusion: Creating a Thriving Work Culture







About The Guest



Dr. Cindy Zurchin has over 30 years of leadership experience as a motivational speaker, trainer, and author. She earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Duquesne University and has additional certifications from prestigious programs such as “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” and “Leading Change.” 



Cindy has held various educational leadership positions, including Teacher, Principal, and Superintendent, overseeing a $62 million budget and 500 staff members. She transformed a struggling school into a nationwide success by applying the leadership principles detailed in her book, “The Whale Done! School,” co-authored with Ken Blanchard. Her signature approach focuses on fostering vibrant school environments for students, teachers, and parents. 



As a consultant for the Blanchard Institute, Cindy collaborated with educators and parents nationwide, building trust in school communities, particularly in California, where her models gained rapid acceptance. She has been featured in Principal Magazine and TribLive.com. 



Cindy is currently the CEO of her consulting firm. She resides in Pittsburgh with her husband, John, and is a proud mother of two grown sons. She advocates for trust, resilience, and success through strategic action.















Connect with:



Linkedin.com/in/cindyzurchin/



drcindyzurchin.com







Resources:



Book: The Whale Done! School: Transforming a School's Culture by Catching Students Doing Things Right







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Expand What’s Possible