Sowing the seeds and seizing the opportunities of showers… how do we do it? This is the question of the month. Happy April and welcome to The broadCAST™. This is a monthly weigh in by members of The CAST™ of Epic Engage™. Independent experts in their own right, members of The CAST™ are asked to answer a question of simple but possibly profound nature. We wholeheartedly encourage you to connect with these experts on their respective expertise and how it might be of service to you. They each bring great value in service to their work.
For April 2017
With the above in heart and mind, the question to The CAST™ for April is:
LIZ BURT SAYS
The metaphor “April showers bring May flowers” is a great one for Spring. It reminds us that we need darkness to appreciate light and that all stages of growth might not be pretty. I would recommend sticking to your schedule when things are challenging and try your best to be patient, even when you want your flowers to bloom NOW! Remember that nothing worth having ever came easily. Don’t lose sight of the end goal or give up because of the time it will take to get there. Time is going to pass anyway.
Liz Burt is about real and healthy results. She is a master motivator. She is also a marathoner and 
marketing specialist living in Calgary, AB. She holds a three-year diploma in Business Management and Marketing, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and will begin her MA at the University of Alberta this spring. In addition to being wild about learning and running, Liz is also an avid traveller and has backpacked through twenty countries in the last few years. In her professional life she loves working with small businesses to develop simple and effective marketing and communications plans that achieve real results. She is creative, a bit of a health nut and loves to share her healthy passions in her blog. Liz is a goal setter and risk taker. She loves coffee, cooking, and great conversations. She gets huge joy in helping people and small businesses achieve their goals and are always ready to lend an ear and share advice. www.soundbodysoundmind.wordpress.com
RAY HOLLISTER SAYS
I love the concept of viewing a ‘challenge’ as merely a ‘shower’ that bears the fruit of ‘opportunity’ at the end! I think that in order to truly maximize the showers that will come along in your life, it is helpful to be prepared by committing to constant improvement. This does not have to be massive changes every single day! In my case, I strive to improve at least 1% in key areas of my life each week. If I focus on this, and practice this, and commit to this, I find that when showers come along, those 1% improvements turn and multiply into much bigger gains after the ‘showers’ have come and gone. So I highly encourage you to commit to improving yourself by just 1% each week, and when you encounter showers, watch your life bloom!
Ray Hollister is all about strength, excellence and potential. In fact, he has a very special connection 
with students – he’s helped thousands achieve average scores of over 90% for 20 years! His love of learning… and his ability to teach anybody the same easy strategies he used to study far less than everyone else while maintaining outrageously high test scores… quickly earned him a lot of ‘friends’ seeking his advice. Ray has personally conducted numerous studies to develop an intense, focused, and results oriented program for college students. With the success of that program, Ray set his sights on helping younger students in Junior High, High School, and those just entering University. The end result is a program that will help any student – especially YOU – learn more, study less, and earn consistently high grades. www.rayhollister.net
KRISTA WALSH SAYS
To best prepare myself for challenging (difficult) customers, I developed the L.E.A.R.N. approach. It is inevitable that you are going to engage with a less-than-happy customer at some point. Possessing the skills in order to properly diffuse the situation will benefit you by easing the situation and potentially keeping your customer. It’s easy to “L.E.A.R.N.” from our conversations:
- Listen: Most times customers just want to be heard. Let them vent, cry and sulk without interruption.
- Empathize: This will help you connect with the customer and maintain the relationship.
- Ask questions: The better the questions you ask the more able you will be to evaluate the situation and efficiently resolve the complaint.
- Remain calm: Nothing escalates the conversation more than trying to talk over or interrupt a person when they are ranting about the unfairness they have experienced. Instead lower your voice and they will match you with a softer tone.
- Negotiate: Everyone likes the feeling of winning. Offering a customer a discounted price, a promotional item, or even a small gift card will most often turn a negative situation into a positive one.
Krista Walsh is about productivity and creating cash flow. Krista is an award winning entrepreneur, author and speaker. From dental assistant drop out, to family business builder, to emerging leader for Atlantic Canada (twice), Krista will share her journey from failure to success and explore how to increase your cash flow and productivity. In 2005 Krista established “KC COLLECT,” a 
credit, collection and resource company. It would be the first and only female-owned collection agency in Atlantic Canada. Krista’s informative presentations engage and challenge audiences to effectively manage and build their businesses, professional relationships, and enhance their profiles. Andrew Oland- President, Moosehead Breweries says “Krista is a smart, dedicated and passionate woman. She is an engaging and practical presenter who adds tremendous value to any audience.” Her breakout sessions will assist you in navigating the practical tools you can implement immediately to increase sales and productivity, enhance and build relationships, and strengthen and increase cash flow. Krista’s determination and vision has been recognized by her peers and she has twice received the Atlantic Canadian Emerging Award as one of Canada’s leading young entrepreneurs. www.kccollect.vpweb.ca
MARK BLACK SAYS
My best tip for this is a to have a solid morning ritual that prepares you for the day ahead. Mine includes: prayer, exercise and fueling my body for the day ahead.
and Double-Lung Transplant Recipient, 4-time marathoner, resilience expert, speaker, and coach. Mark helps people “Thrive in Challenging Times”. A Certified Speaking Professional, Mark has inspired more than 100,000 people in more than 350 presentations. At 23 Mark faced an unimaginable challenge. His doctor informed him that his heart was failing. Without a rare and dangerous heart and double-lung transplant he would not see his 25th birthday. Three years later, after receiving his second chance at life, Mark ran his first marathon. Mark spends his free time with his beautiful wife and two kids. www.markblack.caSHEENA GROBB SAYS
I learned very young that my health and well being is central to every other aspect of my life’s pursuits. After being told that I had developed an autoimmune disease as an ambitious and high achieving teenager, my perspective on success began to change. As I grew through my twenties and graduated university, pursued my passions, and floundered as a budding business owner, I struggled with wanting “A+ reviews” in everything I did, while knowing all too well the critical balance of work and health. It became increasingly important to find clarity on my values and what my version of success actually looked like… especially in the moments of challenge. It’s these moments of challenge that show us who we are. I see now that outward success is only a reflection of the seeds we sow within ourselves all along our path… the ups and the downs… the “doing” and the “being”… it’s all contributing to our own unique and beautiful garden. Making time for movement and yoga, healthy eating, loving relationships, and restful sleep – next to emailing rituals and social media learning curves, etc. – all contribute to a bountiful harvest, if that is what you choose. Embrace life long learning and say thank you for even your mistakes… and you will see the flowers grow, again and again.
Sheena Grobb Singer/Songwriter and Speaker… is humbly amazing. “It is without a doubt a masterpiece of songwriting and soundscape. Really incredible, soulful music. She will definitely get a huge audience in time, trust me.” Alex Wharton, Abbey Road Studios. A songbird from the age of two, songwriter at ten, with 3 albums under her belt, a nomination for the Western Canadian Music Awards, 
and over 500 tour dates across Canada, the US, and the UK, Sheena Grobb (one of Canada’s best kept secrets) is spilling over. With the release of her newest album, The Breakless Heart, mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London, and a life changing music video created by Lindsey Nelko (past choreographer with So You Think You Can Dance), Sheena is embarking on her most meaningful project yet – The Living Compassion Project™ – inviting others to “unlock their lives” through sharing their stories… as she begins to share hers. www.sheenagrobb.com
JOEL SWEENEY SAYS
Here is the link to my video for April contribution to broadCAST™. I hope you enjoy. 🙂
Joel Sweeney is all about effective communications. He has been speaking, training, coaching and 
writing about it for over 20 years. He is the author of The Wedding MC Handbook and Little Helpings of Food for Thought. His third book, The Speaker’s Tool Box – Perfecting the Craft of Speaking, was released in the 2015. He is the owner of Professionally Speaking (established in 1995). Joel helps entrepreneurs and business professional become effective, engaging and confident speakers. www.JoelSweeney.com
TRENT LANGDON SAYS
I decided to respond to this question in the form of a caution. With any opportunity or challenge, we frequently jump in ‘head-first’ without true reflection or reconnaissance of the battle environment. Opportunities can be highly appealing, exciting, or refreshing with disregard for the red flags, pitfalls, and trapdoors. Equally, challenges have similar dangers that are not considered when preparing a plan of attack. A valuable lesson I have learned is the necessity for pre-planning and continual evaluation as part of any major decision. Though an obvious item for the most part, this strategic approach ensures essential self-exploration and decisions that are rooted in ‘common sense’ for you. For me, this self-exploration occurs with intentional ‘private thought’ sessions (be sure to make notes) and random thinking while driving, exercising, cooking, etc. ( I always keep an notepad in my truck and next to my bed). The primary point: choose your destiny… (as much as possible).
Trent Langdon is all about building legacy through character education and development. He is a junior high school counselor for 650+ adolescents and is dedicated to serving his students, their 
families, and communities. Trent works on behalf of his colleagues to build identity, protect professional roles, and to give teachers ‘a voice’; currently completing his 2nd term as a member of the Provincial Executive Council of the Newfoundland & Labrador Teachers Association (NLTA) and now as the incoming NLTA Vice-President for the 2017-2019 term of office. Trent is also a Canadian Certified Counselor with the Canadian Counseling & Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and serves as a member of the CCPA Ethics Committee (Complaints Division). And last but certainly not least, Trent is a proud contributor to the Epic Engage team. www.epicengage.com
JAMIE McCABE SAYS
When preparing for any successes, challenges or opportunities, I analyze the situation and all possible outcomes whether it be good or bad for my business or life. I look at the good as a sign of greatness and potential and any possible negative outcome as a learning curve. This helps me prepare for what may lie ahead. I like to dive into any research I can attain of what I am about to do or the opportunity I am preparing for. I like to get excited and let others see and feel my excitement with my projects. When diving into any challenges, I like to consult with those who may have had similar challenges, I always ask my husband for his thoughts and my staff for suggestions before I prepare for challenges ahead. But mostly, I like to go with my heart. It never steers me wrong. So my practices summed up are: analyze, research, prepare and go with what feels right in your heart. If you water those “seeds” from a place of love and good intentions, the flower will never die.
Jamie McCabe is all about creativity and connection. She is on a mission to bring people together through art and exploring their creative side at Clay Café Avalon. Jamie became an entrepreneur and opened the paint-your-own pottery studio in 2008 and has seen many memories painted there since then. She works with children and schools where she provides after school art programs. She believes we should color outside the lines more and embrace our inner artist. At Clay Café, it’s not about painting the perfect piece, it’s about painting the perfect memory. www.claycafeavalon.caBARRY LEWIS GREEN SAYS
I love the wisdom of The CAST™ above; I always do. For me, the add on would be several book recommendations first. For taking stock of the big picture, I strongly suggest What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles. Intended as a workbook for job hunters and career changers, I contend that it forces you to inventory your strengths and passions. It facilitates you taking stock of your arsenal if you will. Secondly, I recommend The War of Art by Steven Pressfield; a book that examines the power of daily commitment to the craft and the work. It is a powerful read for all areas of life. Third, I suggest Keep It Simple by Joe Calloway as a great little read on keeping your focus on what is important. With all of that in mind, my best suggestion is to get into a daily regime of prayerful reflection. Go within to examine without. Take account each day. Daily commitment to what I call consultation within, action without, reflection afterwards and evolving as the process unfolds spells CARE, and I suggest that the best way to sow the seeds is to care. It is a virtue.
Barry Lewis Green is ultimately a vocalist, strength coach and educator. His work is about voicing, exploring, identifying, practicing and mastering our strengths and building upon them through practical and powerful unity and resourcefulness. His book Human Being Being Being Human speaks to that. and that is why Barry is The Unity Guy™. EPIC Engage™ is an extension of The Unity Guy™. The Epic work is all about building strong, united and inspired cultures lead by character… at school, work and community; where everyone matters and contributes everyday. www.epicengage.com
QUOTES for the MONTH
Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don’t have any problems, you don’t get any seeds. — Norman Vincent Peale
VIDEO for the MONTH
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