The broadCAST™ is a monthly weigh in by members of The CAST™ of Epic Engage™. Independent experts in their own right, members of The CAST™ have an opportunity to share their earned insights right here, for you, each month. With that in mind, 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 such great value in service to their respective work.

September 2017

As we head back into a Fall pace… back to school or work at the refreshed groove… the question for The CAST™ in September is…

Why is joy important and how do you find it?

Given the pace of getting back at things and new openings going on… Jamie, Sheena and Mark could not join us this month and we miss them truly, but our 6 other CASTers have something to say on joy. The responses follow. Engage and enjoy. 🙂

SHEENA GROBB SINGS

That being said, while Sheena could not join us this month, I personally thought to offer up this amazing song and video called Good Fortune. The line within … and I am aware of my good fortune, like it is humming in my ear … it powerfully speaks to joy and joyfulness. IMHO, it speaks to the question of the month. Listen and ponder for yourself. Thank you Sheena for your artistry and insight. — BLG

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

RAY HOLLISTER SAYS

I have written before about the power of using a habit you already have to brighten your day. That habit is the ability to worry about an event that hasn’t happened, IN ADVANCE! However, in this case, I am suggesting that you turn this habit into a ‘skill’ by shifting the pattern slightly. The truth is simply, yet profound: it IS just as easy to be happy/joyful/hopeful about something that hasn’t happened yet as it is to be worried/fearful/angry about something that hasn’t happened yet. It is all a matter of your FOCUS. I believe that the importance of Joy is self-evident. What is less obvious is how to consistently bring it into your life. For me, I have cultivated the habit of focusing on all the ways things could go RIGHT. By focusing on the good things, the positive things, the joyful things, and the humorous things, I am far more successful at bringing those things to life, than by focusing on all the ways things could go wrong. I don’t agree with the idea that focusing on the negative is being ‘realistic’. I mark a distinct difference between being prepared and being scared. I strongly encourage you to try this for a full week: deliberately and thoughtfully focus on all the ways things could go RIGHT during your day. Deliberately and thoughtfully focus on all the reasons you could be joyful that day. You may be very pleasantly surprised at how easy it really is to find joy every day!

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

Krista shares some joy… ?

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

Going forward and starting in October, Mark will be sharing a favourite and personal quote of motivation for consideration each month… and we will be calling it ON YOUR MARK. For this month, and missing Mark due to scheduling, we offer this on Want to Be Happier? Forget About This … a thoughtful piece by Mark on happiness and joy.

Mark Black, CSP is all about wellness and resilience. He is a Heart 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.ca

LIZ BURT SAYS

Joy is something I have been thinking a lot about lately actually. For me, joy comes from simple things in life and is a connection to my truest self and inner child. I get huge joy from riding my bicycle, swimming, and having a good hard laugh with my closest friends. Joy comes from sleeping in on a Saturday morning and then enjoying that first cup of coffee in the sunshine on my patio. Joy comes from cruising out in my dad’s fishing boat to have an evening jig at sunset – aka the “salt water joys”! Joy comes from quality time spent with family and loved ones. Pure joy is deeper for me than happiness. It’s a feeling deep inside the soul that cannot be faked or manufactured. Joy is one of the ultimate REAL FEELS! Joy is so important to me because it has the ability to slow time down a little in my sometimes busy, hectic life and it connects me to simple things that mean the most. Real feelings of joy remind me to be grateful for the little things. True feelings of joy keep me grounded and humble and focused on being grateful for all the good there is in my life.

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. lizburt.wordpress.com

JOEL SWEENEY SAYS

See and hear what Joel has to say, in video…

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

One piece of advice as we shift back into school, schedules, and routine – strategically allow it to unfold. The expectations that we place upon ourselves and our children, to jump headfirst into the rat race, can be overwhelming for all. There will be summer withdrawal no doubt, but allow the transition to happen by giving plenty of preparation time for events and schedule ample down time. Viewing the start of the school year as a chance to initiate new ideas and opportunities can allow for a positive start for the entire family.

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

Jamie is crazy, cool and joyfully busy with the opening of her new location for the Clay Café. We have already been there and it is awesome! Last month, Jamie shared… “What inspires me is helping others. I love seeing people smile and enjoying life. I enjoy talking with our customers and getting to know them and creating a connection.” That, is abundantly clear… we have experienced it first hand. With that in mind, we congratulate Jamie on the new digs and the joy she brings to her work. See you next month Jamie!

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.ca

BARRY LEWIS GREEN SAYS

One of my favourite quotes is “Joy gives us wings! In times of joy our strength is more vital, our intellect keener, and our understanding less clouded. We seem better able to cope with the world and to find our sphere of usefulness.” The question is how do we practice the virtue that is Joyfulness. Joyfulness is a way of being, beyond being happy about something. In video, here are some thoughts I want to share on that thing called joy…. enJOY. 🙂

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

QUOTE of the MONTH

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge. — Albert Einstein