Welcome to The Exceptionally Irresistible Show, where we host incredible people who have demonstrated some exceptional qualities by the way they conduct their personal and professional lives. These are individuals who set themselves apart by their character, attitude, outlook, and behaviors. These individuals show up daily as the best version of themselves. We are all born Exceptionally Irresistible, we just need to work on ourselves daily to bring out more and more of it. Hosted by: Yermi Kurkus To learn more about Yermi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yermikurkus/
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August 21, 2024Episode 2516 min
S02E25 - Writing Your Legand with Yermi Kurkus - Recap 5
Are you writing your legacy?
What steps are you taking?
This week is our final episode of Season 2.
We heard so many wonderful stories and have learned so many lessons.
But they are all worthless.
Worthless if you, the audience members don’t take action.
What lessons have you learned?
What inspiration can you take?
What are you doing to live your legacy?
This is the ultimate message of Season 2.
Would love to hear your takeaways…
Here are some of mine…
Check out this episode…
August 14, 2024Episode 2426 min
S02E24 - The Archer’s Victory with Cecilia “CJ” Higgins
We’ve spoken many times about the example of hitting the target like a Master Archer.
This week we decided to ask an expert.
CJ Higgins is a young up-and-coming Archery Sports Athlete, she’s competing because she absolutely loves the sport.
Will she ever end up in the Olympics?
Why does she compete?
How does she stay ahead of her game and competition?
All this and more in this week’s episode.
Let’s hear…
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
Do what you love and have fun.
2. How did you discover this message?
I’ve learned through all the activities I have done if you’re not enjoying it you’re going to be miserable so why still do it.
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
I think this is something that is close to my heart because, I have done hobbies in my life and got to the point where I don’t enjoy them. So find something that makes you happy so you aren’t miserable.
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
Anyone
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from my parents, friends, and professional archers I follow.
CJ Higgins Bio:
Cecilia “CJ” Higgins recently graduated High school. Growing up on a farm raising cattle, milk cows, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and several other animals, she also competes professionally in archery and various other sports and competitions. When it comes to trying new things and excelling at them, CJ knows a thing or two despite her young age. CJ is a true inspiration of what it means to work hard and put your mind to something.
August 7, 2024Episode 2326 min
S02E23 - Winning In The Game of Life with Marques Ogden
Here’s a story you don’t hear every day.
A story of a kid with a dream
A kid living his dream as a pro-Athlete in the NFL
An athlete who retires from the sport and builds a $20M+ business.
A successful businessman who loses it all.
A man who rebuilds himself only to lose it all again.
And now, a man who has rebuilt himself back up again from the ashes of his life.
How does one keep succeeding and keep rebuilding himself time and time again? A man who refuses to fail. A man who refuses to allow challenges to take him down?
What is his secret?
We sit down with Marques Ogden to learn more.
Let’s hear…
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
How to become the person that can overcome anything!
2. How did you discover this message?
Through my bankruptcy, hardships and losing everything I owned, in 2013!
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
It’s all about helping people become the best version of themselves, I absolutely love helping others win!
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
Everyone, that has had to overcome or is trying to overcome a challenge.
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My life experiences, as a result of my losing everything I owned!
Marques Ogden Bio:
Marques Ogden is a former NFL player turned inspirational speaker, author, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Ogden Ventures LLC, a media and entertainment company that specializes in keynote speaking, business coaching, and consulting. Ogden is a three-time best-selling author and the host of the podcast "Get Authentic with Marques Ogden." In his speaking engagements, Marques leads his audiences to understand why “Authenticity Creates Victory” by sharing his personal story of overcoming adversity and achieving success. Marques is on a mission to inspire CEOs and other senior leaders to maximize their potential to reach their personal and professional goals.
Feel welcome to check out Marque’s Podcast and to visit his website, you can also connect with him on LinkedIn.
July 31, 2024Episode 2230 min
S02E22 - Leading A Rookie Team To Win - Part 2 with Caleb Pohlman
Are you ready for Part 2 of this epic story?
In this episode you will hear the day-to-day, boots-on-the-ground version of this remarkable story.
The lessons shared come from Caleb Pohlman who is one of the mentors on the team that Coach Danny put together. Caleb runs the Drive Team - the team who drive the robot.
Caleb talks to us about the practical aspect of what it took to train this rookie team for “nowhere land North Carolina” and take them to place top-100 in the world.
What stood out most for me, was how easy and pragmatic his lessons were. It seems that just about any team can truly succeed if they only put their minds to it. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what your experience level is, or what your background is - with the right mindset, the right attitude, and the right guidance - you too can be a champion.
Let’s hear…
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
Setting goals. Working with dead line and building with an your means.
2. How did you discover this message?
Through a mentor (Joe Danner - G.E. Aviation) when I was on a FRC team.
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
Building with-in your means.
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
A winning mindset
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Family
Caleb Pohlman Bio:
Caleb Pohlman is a mentor on the FRC Team LYNK 9496 - a rookie team from Rutherdforton, NC. He runs the Drive Team and overlooks the fabrication and programming of the robot to help keep the team on goal.
To watch some clips and competitions check out their YouTube channel, and to learn more about LYNK Robotics and to support them by sponsoring, please feel welcome to visit their website - you can also connect with Caleb through his LinkedIn
July 24, 2024Episode 2137 min
S02E21 - Leading A Rookie Team To Win - Part 1 with Daniel “Danny” Smith
What makes a winning team?
In this episode, you will hear the remarkable story of how one coach believed in children who come from difficult backgrounds and who are typically not privileged to what other children from larger cities and wealthier backgrounds have access to.
Coach Danny took a group of rookie children from Rutherdforton Country a small rural area in Western North Carolina and not only taught them the skills of programming, building, marketing, and fundraising for their FIRST Robotics Competition. But he also lead them to win nearly all of their local competitions and place top 100 in the World’s competition in Huston, TX.
How does a coach take a group of rookie’s and scale the team to be champions?
Let’s hear…
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
You have everything inside of you to do amazing things, just have to unleash it and believe in yourself.
2. How did you discover this message?
When watching students finally having their "Aha" moments and they start to see the world differently.
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
You have life and death in your words and actions towards people, so build people up instead of tiring them down.
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
Young and old.
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
From my God and the Bible.
Danny Smith Bio:
Daniel Smith, or how he is known by his team as ‘Coach Danny’ has been an educator for many years and has been the head coach of Omegabytes 5727 First Robotics Competition Team and this past year co-founded LYNK 9496. In 2023 he took his team for the very first time to the World’s Championships in Huston, TX - many of these kids don’t typically have the privilege of traveling outside their county, let alone across the country. This year, LYNK, a rookie team made up of kids from all walks of life, not only learned new skills (such as programming, marketing, fundraising, and building the robot) but also won nearly every local competition they competed at and placed top 100 among the thousands of teams from around the world in their World’s Championship competition in Huston, TX.
To learn more about LYNK Robotics and to support them by sponsoring, please feel welcome to visit https://www.inspirecarolina.org/lynk/
July 17, 2024Episode 2018 min
S02E20 - The Legend Leader with Yermi Kurkus - Recap 4
What’s attracting people to you?
What does “Legacy Leadership” have anything to do with it?
This week, we sought out to connect the last few episodes where we spoke with Claudia Wyatt, Carol Williams, Avi Abrams, and Summer Watson. We explored the importance of finding the hidden strength that hides in what seems to be your weakness, we explored how to find the light within the chaos rather than waiting for the end of the tunnel, we explored finding creative solutions to respond to events beyond our control, and we explored how all this ties into being a person that attracts people into a community.
Your hardships are your blessings.
It’s all a matter of perspective.
Check out this episode…
July 10, 2024Episode 1929 min
S02E19 - Connecting Leadership, Mentorship, and Community with Summer Watson
What about a community makes it so appealing for people to continue being part of it?
I’ve been part of so many communities.
In my teenage and early adulthood years, I used to work for an organization that would send me to take part in various new branches that were being established under its umbrella.
I’ve seen so many communities start up and fail.
The burning question that always was (and still is on my mind), is “why”? What about these communities makes them fail or succeed?
This episode we sit down with Summer Watson.
Summer is a doctorate in psychology and speaks a lot on the topic of leadership, mentorship, and its connection to community formation.
It’s been a fascinating discussion.
Let’s hear…
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
The importance of cross-generational mentorship and community collaboration
2. How did you discover this message?
Through a lifetime of mentorship and collaboration in both my personal and professional life.
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
How mentorship and bringing community together has helped me cultivate a passion for change and growth within myself and in community.
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
With young people jumping into the workforce and for company owners, who want to retain these young people getting started along their career paths.
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Having started work early and having mentors in my life to shed a lot of light on what I could consider when developing my work ethics, process, strategy, and humanism in all that I do.
Summer Watson Bio:
Summer worked in the field of human services for over 30 years. She is a Dr. of Psychology, a High Performance Coach, a Podcaster of “KORE Women”, a Live Show Host of “The Emotional Entrepreneur” Show, an educator and mentor.
Feel welcome to connect with Summer through her Linkedin, Podcast, and Website to learn more.
July 3, 2024Episode 1826 min
S02E18 - Accessing Your Inner Grit with Avi Abrams
Running any business can be really challenging.
What about building a business and no matter what you do, circumstances beyond your control take you down?
This is the discussion we had this week with Avi Abrams.
Avi found his passion in Tour Guiding. It was born out of his faith and love for his country. He even found an extraordinary niche within his market which is so unique and of high value and impact.
However, due to world events and political climates that his business finds itself in, Avi constantly is faced with constant changes and pivots.
A story of true inner grit.
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
The story of the Jewish People didn't start in 1948 AD. It started in 1948 AC (After Creation)!
2. How did you discover this message?
I've always known it since childhood, but learning about the long and great story of my people and teaching it to others has been the calling of my life.
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
As a tour guide in Israel, I take people to streets, buildings, and palaces that were walked on by Jewish kings and prophets. In today's world of propaganda and misinformation, much of humanity believes Jews have no historical connection to the land of Israel, but nothing could be further from the truth!
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
For the most part, Evangelical Christians, and anyone who appreciates the Bible, Jewish history, and ancient archaeology.
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Roots by Alex Haley, Star Trek, and Back to the Future
Avi Abrams Bio:
Avi is a licensed Tour Guide in Israel. Originally from Montreal, Canada, he has a double major B.A. in Political Science and Middle East Studies from McGill University. As the VP of Hillel in Montreal, Avi was involved in Jewish educational projects and Israel activism.
Avi made Aliyah (immigrated to Israel) in 2012 to pursue his passion in telling the story of the Jewish People as a licensed tour guide. Since 2015, he has been guiding families and groups all over Israel with tailor made tours designed to fit the needs of each individual persona. Avi is great at making history come to life and a fun personality to connect with. He currently resides in Netanya with his wife and children.
Feel welcome to connect with Avi through his Linkedin, YouTube, Podcast, and Website to learn more.
June 26, 2024Episode 1728 min
S02E17 - Finding Light Within Chaos with Carol Williams
So many of us go through hardships, some more significant than others.
When sharing those hardships with others, as caring as those others are, sometimes their advice isn’t as great.
For example, when I went through my challenges a few years back, I kept hearing over and over again that “there’s light at the end of the tunnel”. As wonderful as that advice or comfort may be, it’s anything but comforting.
I am going through a difficulty right now. It hurts now. I’m not interested in what is at the end of the tunnel.
I’m sure there’s a lot to say about the wisdom of the “end of the tunnel” - but my question is, how about during the chaos? Can we find any light there?
In this episode, we speak to Carol Williams and explore this topic. Can we find light within the chaos? Can we live a fulfilling life even during the hardship?
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
The Message and Mission of the Beacon of Light Center is to light the light of the world. We are all meant to share our gifts and together, we illuminate the world that we know.
Today, I am the only one in the Center.
My mission is to support overburdened Soloist Women who yearn to do their Great Life’s Work in the World….without sacrificing everything else.
2. How did you discover this message?
After being self employed as a coach and speaker since 2009, while simultaneously raising my boys as a single mom, I got burned out and exhausted when my father fell in 2023. My coaching practice and life was full, and everything fell apart with this fall. I took time out in early 2024: the first time in my entire working life (since 1984) I have ever done this. I decided it was time to dial into what meant so much to me NOW after these years of success.
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
When I reflected on the people I loved working with, AND made a big impact, and then they went on to make a big impact, I determined it was these people: married Soloist Women in their 50s and 60s who had hit a ceiling; a plateau. They were working SO hard for so little money and they felt exhausted, burned out, and like they could not do it anymore…they were about to throw in the towel on their businesses. It was just too hard.
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
It’s women Soloists, often but not always coaches, who yearn to do their Great Life’s Work. It seems SO hard though. Everyone needs them, and it just does not stop. Their health is declining, and they brush it off because let’s face it, they are doing the best they can right now. Another interesting and somewhat odd commonality is that they all seemed to have a dirty little secret (generally about their money) that they hid from the world, and/or from their husbands.
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
My first mentors were Melinda Cohan and Kate Steinbacher. Then I migrated to others and I’m just completing some time with Rich Litvin. I really love Michael Bungay Stanier. I also draw inspiration from the woods and from rivers and from dancing.
Carol Williams Bio:
As a solo business owner, Certified Business and Life Coach, and single mom, she knows what it's like to prioritize and pivot while building a life she loves. So after working in the design professions for 18 years, Carol struck out on her own in 2009, combining her passion for psychology and her project management experience.
Carol powerfully supports scattered entrepreneurs so they can live their lives AND have the business they dream about.
Carol plays in the outdoors near her home in Sutton, New Hampshire, and indoors through art, design, and dancing.
Feel welcome to connect with Carol through her LinkedIn Facebook, Facebook group, or Website to learn more.
June 19, 2024Episode 1629 min
S02E16 - Your Weakness Is Your Superpower with Claudia Wyatt
We have heard so many times people advising us to focus less on our weaknesses and focus more on our strengths.
As wonderful and as great as that advice is…
What if, your weakness is actually your superpower?
During my own self-discovery in my leadership journey, I often wondered whether my weakness is actually the other side of the same coin as my strengths.
I’ve seen so many similarities between my weaknesses and strengths.
That is when I met Claudia…
In this episode, we are exploring how you can actually turn what is seemingly your weakness into what is actually your superpower.
Claudia Wyatt is an inspirational leader known as the Enthusiasm Ignitor and Self-Doubt Eraser. She specializes in helping people find their inner strength through exploring their past challenges.
It’s truly remarkable to hear her story of finding her unique ability to care so much for people and how she discovered it through her “people-pleasing problem”.
What seemed to be a problem - turned out to be her superpower.
Wow! How transformative.
What is your weakness that can be transformed into a superpower?
Show Recap:
1. What is your message that you share with the world?
To empower and inspire people to believe in themselves
2. How did you discover this message?
Through my own doubts of who I was and losing myself
3. What about this message is so near-and-dear to your heart?
I never wanted anyone to go through these challenging times alone
4. Who are the typical people this message resonates with?
Could be anyone. Mostly givers that have given so much they lost themselves
5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Excitement from the discovery and helping people live their dreams.
Claudia Wyatt Bio:
Claudia Wyatt is a globally recognized inspirational Leader. Known as, ‘The Enthusiasm Ignitor and Self-Doubt Eraser’, Claudia’s personal experience being trapped in darkness, experiencing significant loss and depression to one day having enough and snapping out of it and create a new life for herself, empowered her to be her own inspiration. Once she stopped hiding, Claudia broke free of harmful patterns, knocked down once seemingly impenetrable walls and took ownership of her life.
No longer did she live in fear of judgement her path now had no limits. This was the start of her journey which led Claudia to focus her life on empowering and inspiring people to believe in themselves. Vowing to never let anyone go hard times alone, she began her company, Claudia Wyatt Coaching, LLC. In order to help people discover and own their personal power so that they can live their dreams by following your inner compass.
She is fueled by her mission to empower and inspire people to believe in themselves.
Feel welcome to connect with Claudia through her Linkedin and Website. You can email her and also sign up to receive her Free "Identifying Your Fears" Workbook
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