REAL Words

Jess Miller-Merrell once told Rayanne, "I shit ideas." Her prolific work and ability to create proves the truth of that statement. We'll talk about her writing, her latest book, "Digitizing Talent: Creative Strategies for the Digital Recruiting Age" and what's next for her. Jessica Miller-Merrell is the Founder of Workology, a workplace resource for HR, recruiting professionals and business leaders. The site was listed twice as a top 75 career resource by Forbes Magazine. Jessica is the president and CEO of Xceptional HR, a human capital strategy and consulting agency, and is listed by Forbes as a top 50 social media power user. Because of her industry expertise and knowledge, Jessica’s opinions and expertise are sought after and sourced by publications and media including: The Economist, Forbes, CIO Magazine, CBS, Entrepreneur Magazine, and SHRM’s HR Magazine. Her new book, Digitizing Talent: Creative Strategies for the Digital Recruiting Age was published in 2023 by the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Follow Jess Miller-Merrell https://workology.com/ https://lnkd.in/gAcyHVRQ

Author S.A. McClellon -Sydney McClellon has been through it and her writing career has barely gotten off the ground. Listen in as I talk with S.A. about her "AI Cover Art" battle with a former publisher. S.A. McClellon is a queer author born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She has also resided Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana, and now Texas where she received her 2023 B.A. in English and B.A. in Media Arts at the University of North Texas. During her downtime, she loves going on walks, getting little treats at her favorite dessert shops, visiting her local Barnes and Noble to “just look and definitely not buy any new books”, going to the gym, watching her favorite TV shows and movies, and practicing Japanese. For details about S.A. McClellon's soon-to-be published book, "Brown Sugar Divine's Cafe & Bakery" and her other works visit: https://www.samcclellon.com/

It's not unusual to hear an AI voice in Voiceovers. Rayanne will talk to Voice Artist, Jeff McNeal about the impact AI is having on voice artists and singers. Jeff McNeal is a Southern California native and voice over artist, in the truest sense. Beginning as a Monterey, CA radio personality in 1978, he quickly achieved his goal of returning home to the Los Angeles radio market the following year, while still a teenager, where he was heard on several prominent L.A. radio stations including KIIS FM and KRTH 101, before moving to San Francisco in 1982 to host PM drive for NBC’s FM station, KYUU. (https://www.jeffmcneal.com/) Upon the sale of the NBC radio division in 1998, Jeff moved his family back to SoCal, landing in San Diego and dabbling in radio for several years while focusing on the development of his own voice production company, finally retiring from radio in 1997 before exclusively pursuing voice overs. Since that time, Jeff has served as one of the longest running signature voices for KNBC, featured in several movie trailers, including Disney’s Winnie The Pooh, Beauty & The Beast and Frozen, along with appearing on hundreds of radio and television commercials and network promos, heard across the nation and sometimes internationally, to this day. A prolific vocal impressionist, as a hobby, Jeff started doing vocal impressions of popular singers 15-years ago on YouTube, before launching his own classic rock tribute band in Temecula, CA in 2010 in order to perform them live. His YouTube channel dedicated to his vocal impressions has thousands of subcribers and millions of views. For ten years, Jeff’s band, Mrs. Jones’ Revenge, performed tribute caliber vocals and instrumentals emulating over 50 different artists and bands as if they were performing their own hits live. MRJ was one of the most sought after for entertainment in the region before disbanding in mid-2020. Jeff has been married since 1983, has three grown children and three grandchildren. Jeff’s interests include solar energy, electric vehicles, and investing for financial independence. Jeff McNeal remains an active participant in voice overs, lending credibility to numerous commercial, industrial and political campaigns.

"A Child Once More" poem by RTK

Undoubtedly, there are millions of words floating around the digital world which have been penned, typed, edited, re-edited, and re-distributed by the incomparable John Sumser. You won't want to miss this conversation. Prior to joining Salary.com as VP of HR, Sumser was a principal analyst for HRExaminer for 15+ years, covering HR Technology and the intersection of people, tech, and work. John’s mix of experience over the course of his career gives him a broad and unique perspective on the industry. Like anyone trying to process a lot of information, he is two or three steps ahead in some areas and still learning about others. Sumser’s work includes deep research into the nooks and crannies of HR Technology to identify and explain rapidly evolving trends. Built on a foundation of engineering, design, and philosophy, John’s seeks to understand and advise clients on where their technology works best, for whom, and in what context.

Mitch Joel hops on a Real Words chat with Rayanne to talk about writing, speaking, and originality of thought. When brands like Google, Starbucks, Shopify and GE want to leverage technology to better connect with their consumers, they call Mitch Joel. He has been called “one of North America’s leading visionaries” by Strategy Magazine. Mitch is Co-Founder of ThinkersOne - a platform that empowers companies with personalized and bite-sized thought leadership from the best Thinkers in the world. Prior to Six Pixels Group, Mitch spent close to two decades building, running and selling his agency to WPP. In that role, he was President of a global marketing agency operating in 25 countries with close to 3000 employees. Mitch's first book, Six Pixels of Separation, named after his successful blog and podcast is a business bestseller. His second book, CTRL ALT Delete, was named one of the best business books of 2013 by Amazon. He is a columnist and journalist for I Heart Radio, Harvard Business Review, and Inc. Magazine. Mitch was awarded the highly prestigious Top 40 Under 40. In 2019, Mitch was named to Dr. Marshall Goldsmith's "100 Coaches" list celebrating the world's top business thinkers and best leaders. Thinkers50 named Mitch to their exclusive Radar class for 2021. "The Radar class features an eclectic mix of people who have crossed our personal radars and who, we believe, will make an impact with their campaigning, their ideas, their research and their passion in the year ahead." Since 2005, he has given between 40-60 keynote presentations a year to small, medium and large organizations in both the B2B and B2C space all over the world. Since Covid-19 kicked in, Mitch has delivered over 200 virtual presentations for brands like Google, Walmart, SAP, Sanofi, Canadian Franchise Association, National Retail Federation, European Startup Festival, and countless others. Mitch is also the host of Groove – The No Treble Podcast, where he is slowly trying to build the largest oral history of electric bass players in the world.

Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield joins Rayanne to discuss becoming an author and the transformation of art. Does art make a difference in the world? learn more: https://www.yvonnepepinwakefield.com/ Yvonne's Pomegranates: https://www.yvonnepepinwakefield.com/... Yvonne's YouTube Channel: / @yvonnewakefieldart Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield writes and makes art in a studio on Oregon’s side of the Columbia River. She is internationally published and exhibited and has received awards for her teaching. Her post-doctoral research on art and psychology is published in numerous international journals. At age 18 Yvonne built a log cabin in the Oregon mountains and began her career as a writer and a painter. Strapping on a portable French easel she backpacks into remote valleys and climbs up rocky mountain sides. Working on location during full moon nights and in blustery afternoon storms, her paintings capture and reflect the emotion of the moment. Yvonne’s studio work allows for different expressions in a range of media from oil and acrylic paintings to functional and decorative pit-fired, and fine ceramics. Her books, Suitcase Filled with Nails: Lessons Learned from Teaching Art in Kuwait, Babe in the Woods: Building a Life One Log at a Time, and Babe in the Woods: Self Portrait are available wherever books are sold.

Screenwriter Mary Krell-Oishi joins Rayanne for some real words about her "choice to write." Mary Krell-Oishi was a public high school teacher for 35 years. The last 26 years were spent teaching theater at Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton, CA. IN 2009, during her last year of teaching, after years of writing plays for her teenage students, she took a screenwriting class. The script she wrote, WHAT WOULD MEG RYAN DO? a romantic comedy, went on to win several screenwriting contests. In 2010, she entered the Industry Insider contest. Her screenplay SECRET ASIAN MAN, an action comedy, was selected by the legendary writer and director Simon Kinberg as the winner of the contest. Continuing in contests and festival, she ultimately began getting gigs as a “writer for hire,” which led to many opportunities and has resulted in two award-winning films and being hired to write the pilot for a new series, production in 2025. Mary has been married to her amazing husband Harris since 1977. The have a beautiful son, Rick, who is married to the perfect Daughter-in-law, Shay. The joy of Mary’s life is her 17 year old granddaughter, Myka.

Real Word's Resident Poet Martin Burns will share some insight into writing poetry. Rhyming vs. Free Verse, metaphors and storytelling. Get ready for "The Poetry Clinic, part 1."

Steve Maggiora stops by Real Words to chat with Rayanne about his process and progress - will AI impact creativity? Palo Alto, California-based Musician Steve Maggiora is a multi-talented musician, songwriter, producer and entertainer. Making his living both as a session musician and live musician, Steve is deeply passionate in the music he creates, which is made apparent through his sultry smokey voice and rich keyboard voicing. He can be heard on thousands of recordings, including songs with TOTO, Steve Lukather, Marc Broussard, Daniel Powter, Natalie Imbruglia, Joshua Radin and more. He has performed to hundreds of thousands of concert-goers across the USA, UK, EU, Australia and Japan. In addition to the original music he writes and performs, Steve also sings background vocals and plays keyboards for the legendary TOTO, and can be found online as a mentor with Produce Like A Pro and ProMixAcademy.com. He is constantly creating new music in many different genres, much of which is available on streaming platforms as well as on his Patreon page, where he releases new music every Friday. NEW MUSIC every Friday! Website: https://www.stevemaggiora.com/ Patreon: http://patreon.com/stevemaggioraofficial Spotify "This is Steve Maggiora" Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6xqbjBA3Hwegj9fObrizrM?si=3d5e7358bf1643cf Bandcamp: http://stevemaggiora.bandcamp.com Official Website: http://stevemaggiora.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/stevemaggioraofficial

"Empty Glass" is a poem by Derek A. Zeller and found in his book "Thoughts & Poems for the educated common man" _______________________________ Derek passed away in 2021. He was loved and respected by so so many. As his niece has said, "He was an empath and genuinely felt, understood, and cared for everyone around him." An empath, indeed.

William J. Wiggins joins Rayanne to talk about his book, Humane Resources, his passion for HR - why write a book, and what the future holds for new authors and creators. HR Professional William J. Wiggins book "Humane Resources" is a testament to the dynamic intersection of humanity and management, challenging traditional concepts of HR in favor of an approach that emphasizes human connection, empathy, and kindness.

Laura Gassner Otting shares some "real words" with Rayanne Thorn Krueger about why she writes the way she does. Check out the full interview here: https://soundcloud.com/realwords-180357934/s1-e22-guest-author-speaker-laura-gassner-otting

Nathan Makaryk, author & performer, visits with Rayanne to discuss his writing process, creativity in the future, and what's next for him! Nathan Makaryk is the author of historical fiction epics NOTTINGHAM and LIONHEARTS, published by Tor/Forge (US) and Bantam (AUS). He has several new books he can’t speak about quite yet, and is a frequent speaker at Writers Digest Writer Conventions. Outside of writing, Nathan is a theater owner, playwright, director, actor, stage combat choreographer, and improv comedian—founder of Improv Shmimprov, one of California’s longest-running improv groups, which has allowed Nathan to perform all over the world. Networked audio engineers around the world might also recognize Nathan as the director of training for the Q-SYS audio-video-control platform, which pays all the bills not covered by Nathan’s other exploits. Nathan lives in southern California with his son, dog, and scotch, all of which he is relatively fond of.

Katrina Collier chats live with me to talk writing for business and her recently completed memoir, "The Damage of Words: a Memoir of Healing Self-Hate and Gaining Self-Mastery" - there's a great deal to talk about! -- Live-streamed to LinkedIn and YouTube and available on-demand whevever you listen to your favorite podcast.-- Professionally, Katrina Collier is on a mission to end the collaboration issues between recruiters and hiring managers, creating clunky recruitment processes and a poor candidate experience. She delivers design-thinking workshops to managers or talent acquisition to swiftly uncover and solve the real issues preventing successful hiring. She is also a global keynote speaker, and author of The Robot-Proof Recruiter: A Survival Guide for Recruiting and Sourcing Professionals and the upcoming book Reboot Hiring: The Key To Managers and Leaders Saving Time, Money and Hassle When Recruiting, Personally, Katrina has recently written The Damage of Words: A Memoir of Healing Self-Hate and Gaining Self-Mastery. She hopes that by openly sharing how she overcame narcissistic child abuse and healed Complex-PTSD, and her experiences healing this life, past lives, DNA and generational trauma, people will feel inclined to seek help and will take a step towards a happier future.

Best Selling Author, Media Personality, and Speaker Laura Gassner Otting joins Rayanne for a discussion about Big Ideas, AI, and what's next for her. Laura’s secret superpower is seeing your greatness and reflecting it back on you, so that you can get “unstuck” — and achieve extraordinary results. A frequent contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily, Laura is the Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author of three books, Wonderhell, Limitless, and Mission-Driven. Laura’s 30-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected national search firm to expand a tech start-up; and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm, partnering with the full gamut of mission driven corporate and nonprofit executives. Laura is turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, motivator, and provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like. Just ask her enduringly patient husband, two almost-grown sons, and two troublesome pups with whom she lives outside of Boston, MA.

Thinking by Walter D. Wintle If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you don't. If you like to win, but think you can't, It's almost a cinch you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost; For out in the world we find, Success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in the state of mind. Full many a race is lost E'er even a step is run And many a coward fails E'er even the work is begun. Think big and your deeds will grow. Think small and you'll fall behind, Think that you can and you will, It's all in the state of mind. If you think you're outclassed, you are; You've got to think high to rise. You've got to be sure of yourself Before you can win the prize. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man; But sooner or later, the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can. by Walter D. Wintle __________________________ This was one of my father's favorite poems, It hung in a frame on the wall in the home I grew up in. Over the years, I memorized it and it became my go-to mantra, driving me toward success on many occasions. When I read the words, I hear my father's voice. The two middle stanzas are left out whenever you see this poem digitally or in print. I'm not sure why and I cannot even find these two stanzas referenced or listed anywhere online. But they were in that framed copy, so I have included them here. Thanks, Walter for your words of encouragement. _________________________ **read man as human, if it bothers you. I choose not to get hung up on the word, man

Cory Reeder (Playwright, Screenwriter, and Novelist) stops by to have some REAL Words with Rayanne. Cory Reeder is an award-winning film director, producer, and screenwriter renowned for blending disability-inclusive storytelling with cinematic excellence. Notably, collaborating with artists such as System of a Down, Korn, Seether, and Hayley Kiyoko, his productions champion inclusive casts and crews. Cory's work has been featured in festivals worldwide and amassed nearly a billion views online. Adding dimension to his portfolio, Cory has completed his debut novel, "Deconstructing the Boogeyman." Rooted in his personal journey of confronting childhood trauma, the novel provides heartbreaking, hilarious, and practical solutions for the human experience. Cory Reeder's dedication to inclusive storytelling, coupled with his diverse body of work, positions him as a visionary artist shaping the future of the entertainment industry. Follow Cory Reeder here: IG - https://lnkd.in/gXTqggn6 FB - https://lnkd.in/gs5Hsqd5 Twit - @CoryReeder LI: https://lnkd.in/gUcz4pAb

REAL Words Poetry SALT by m. burns Martin Burns - insta: @writermoe_poetry is REAL Words' Featured Poet for April 2024 ... close enough to merge, distant enough to yearn ... REAL Words features poetry by REAL humans

This episode features the poem: Cassanova and Delilah by rtk "empty halls echo with laughter once known"