Why Not Now? With Amy Jo Martin

Jodi Shelton, the co-founder and president of GSA (Global Semiconductor Alliance), plays full out. She has maintained a job since 6th grade, established herself as a pioneer within the technology space, written a screenplay, moved across the country, ran a triathlon and has grown GSA to include companies throughout the supply chain, representing 25 countries across the globe. Her strong work ethic and grit materializes as perpetual forward movement. Jodi is not afraid when it comes to going from idea to action. In this episode, you will hear how she followed Renegade Rule #2 and manifested her Why Not Now? idea to move to China. Jodi also discusses how one conversation, at a typical quarterly board meeting, sparked her to start the Women’s Leadership Initiative almost immediately once the meeting ended. You’ll learn Jodi’s tips for parents trying to juggle work and home life, her philosophy on “busy” and how she rejects it, the importance of curiosity, and how she kept her sanity through a very difficult se

Liya Sharif is a former corporate Renegade who led Brand Marketing at Qualcomm. Like all Renegades, Liya has pushed beyond normal expectations and structure, and does not have a traditional journey. Currently, Liya is studying for a degree in interior design as well as guiding emerging companies, looking to grow, with her creativity and unconventional approach to leadership. In this episode, Liya discusses how she did an audit of her life. She shares her roots, her history in dance and how that skill taught her to be disciplined, her desire to always know what it feels like to be a beginner and her rigorous education. As a woman who grew up in the former Soviet Union, Azerbaijan, Liya also shares her point of view on the war in Ukraine. Liya does many things, but conform is not one. It is in her DNA to innovate. She follows her curiosity and looks for continual renewal which drives all sorts of things in life that get her excited. Her personal motto; “If you continue doing the work you love, it is no longer w

As a corporate Renegade, Erik Day has many titles, one of which is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Global Small Businesses at Dell Technologies, where he serves as a heartbeat behind the brand. Erik has been working at Dell for 20+ years combining career with passion, purpose and skill.   In this episode, Eric shares 5 incredibly valuable steps for approaching difficult situations. You’ll learn two vital ingredients for a business to succeed, how to break down bias, how to be an empathetic leader and retain top talent, the importance of accountability and how to lead with optimism.   Erik lives with his finger on the pulse. When trying to make advisors more effective at talking to clients, he was told to stay in his box and not given any support from his bosses, until he ran a successful pilot program they could not say no to implementing further. In 2002 he also created a pride LGBTQ employee resource group at Dell to talk about challenges and solutions the community was facing.   Eric and Amy J

Phyllis Newhouse has quite the resume. She is the first African American woman to lead a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC), the first woman ever to win the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of the Year award in the technology category, she’s on the board of the Women’s Presidents Organization and is a pioneer in business. She is a retired senior military officer, a CEO, an investor and serial entrepreneur. Phyllis also happens to be a “frientor” to Amy Jo (a friend and mentor). Phyllis is changing the game and rewriting the business play book, especially for women. One way she does this is with “ROCs,” which stands for Resources, Opportunities and Connections. Phyllis generously gives these out all day every day. Amy Jo has personally been a beneficiary, as Phyllis has opened many doors for her. In this wide-ranging conversation, Amy Jo and Phyllis talk about business, their relationship with money, how Phyllis looks at wealth versus revenue, and how Phyllis’ power always enters the room before she does

Amy Browns-Taylor is a US citizen living in Poland. She is personally involved with helping Ukrainian refugees.   Amy and her family recently said “Why Not Now?” and moved to Poland. Not long after, they found themselves faced with a unique opportunity to open their home up to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. After making that difficult decision, they haven’t looked back.   Amy is a communications professional with her Bachelors in Journalism and Masters in Arts Administration. In this episode, you’ll hear how Amy has learned to leverage technology to do a whole lot of good. She has truly become a home base connection point for many Ukrainians needing help in Poland, and you’ll hear some of those heartfelt and inspiring stories during this conversation.   She also discusses the amazing ways technology has allowed her efforts to be amplified as well as the hardships she has faced. It has not been an easy journey, but she says the love and humanity she see’s daily is incredible.   Visit the link below to lea

Tatiana Ferreira is the Senior Vice President of Customer Service Excellence at Neiman Marcus. Tatiana has quite a colorful career journey. She has worked for some of the biggest brands in retail and fashion, and got her start at Disney.    As a top Latina executive in the luxury experience arena, she has been able to do things that are pretty unheard of. One of which is bringing mindfulness into the corporate world. She talks through some tactical suggestions on how you can introduce mindfulness into your own business or corporation and the ROI of doing so.    Tatiana refers to her Why Not Now? story as “productivity hell”. She talks about her addiction to work. Specifically, she dives into what resulted from that, some of the rules she set for herself to overcome the problem, the concepts around those rules and how she was able to shift and get ruthless about her new priorities.    Tatiana also discusses Service Excellence. What it looks like today, and how it compares to Service Excellence experiences of t

John Hardin is the co-founder and Executive Director of Proclaim Justice—a not-for-profit organization that frees victims of wrongful convictions. He is also a private investigator who has years of experience in public affairs communications. John is known for bringing media and public attention to situations where there’s a wrongful conviction.    John’s co-founder, Jason Baldwin, was one of the members of the “West Memphis Three,” a well-known case in which three people in Arkansas were wrongfully convicted of a crime and sent to prison for many years. John played a critical role in freeing the trio. Now, together, John and Jason are doing that for other people.    In this multifaceted conversation, John shares what he’s learned from knocking on doors and looking for answers. John also discusses the power of persistence and resilience; how it feels to come up short and not find what you’re looking for; and getting up each day to fight for what you believe is right.    John’s experience with the West Memphis

Andres Traslavia has interviewed more than 2,000 executives as a longtime recruiter and the head of executive search and talent acquisition at Whole Foods Market. He has a rare view into talent trends spanning the past 15 years—and insights into what he calls “the Great Rebellion,” or the mass resignations employers are seeing in 2021 and 2022. Dangling shiny salaries and massive compensation packages is not enough to attract talent anymore. In this episode, Andres shares how employers can retain talent and maps out three things he is looking for when he interviews an executive. Listen for his cheat sheet for anyone going through the interview process. Andres grew up in Bogota, Columbia. He came to the United States and fell for the idea that success was about having material things. In the midst of this lonely realization, he walked into Whole Foods and fell in love with how happy the workers were. Andres knew he had to work for this “Disneyland for foodies.” So he said, “Why Not Now?” and moved to Austin wi

Vanessa Van Edwards is the Lead Behavioral Investigator at Science of People - a company she founded over 15 years ago. She is an internationally acclaimed speaker and author of two books, Captivate and Cues.  Vanessa guides people on mastering the secret language of charismatic communication, and in this episode, Vanessa dives into the specifics of charisma. We ask the question “Are you born with it or can you learn?” and Vanessa’s answer may surprise you.  Vanessa grew up with social anxiety issues, leaving her feeling very awkward. She is an ambivert, which means she is somewhere in-between the introvert and extrovert spectrum. She details the Why Not Now? moment that set her on the path to being a Behavioral Investigator and how she has discovered that “Awkward” characteristics show up differently for different people, whether you are highly intelligent, the alpha in the room or constantly try to please everyone.  Vanessa lists her favorite non-verbal cues used by one of the most charismatic people on the

Noramay Cadena has a resume many people would envy—she has three degrees from MIT, spent many years at Boeing as an aerospace engineer and is a venture capitalist.  But Noramay has had her fair share of adversity. In this wide-ranging conversation with Amy Jo, she shares powerful advice on how to navigate inflection points in your career.  Noramay shares the importance of muscle memory—doing one hard thing enables you to do another hard thing, and another and so on. She describes how her experience as a teen mom built up her own ability to navigate hard situations in life and business. Those early experiences also taught her to look at difficult times as an ecosystem of possibilities in which the opportunity ahead of her is expansive, and not diminished by her circumstances. And she talks through a key Why Not Now? moment. Noramay was approaching burnout and at a crossroads in her career, considering leaving her corporate life for entrepreneurship. For the first time in a long time, she put her own desires to

Amber Allen is a true badass. Her energy and zest for life are contagious. Amber loves to play. Her personal motto is, “Every day that childlike Amber high-fives adult Amber, I’ve won.” She believes that if we can ingrain more play in learning, we will remember what we learn for so much longer.  Amber is the founder and CEO of Double A Labs, a software company that is a catalyst for human connection. She was named one of the 30 most influential people in the metaverse.  This wide-ranging conversation covers the biggest lessons Amber has learned as an entrepreneur, her upbringing as the daughter of a Baptist preacher and a Why Not Now? moment that ranks as one of Amy Jo’s all-time favorites. Amber decided to move one day while having brunch—as in literally got up from the table and packed up her car. A renegade to her core, she's an idea-to-action woman. When Amber says “Now!”, she means it. Amber breaks down the metaverse and Web 3.0 in simple terms that anyone can understand. She talks through the desire to

Matt Lombardi is a former Professional Athlete and the Co-Founder of Beam, a company that makes functional wellness products to help you reach your potential. It's quickly disrupting the category with ingredients like nano hemp, nootropics and adaptogens.    Matt goes deep fast, and toward the end of the conversation he has Amy Jo in tears. Matt and Amy Jo cover topics from inspiration to heartbreak and everything in-between, including mental health.    When it comes to being successful in business, Matt believes risk and reward go hand in hand.    He talks about the importance of failing and going through challenging times in order to create something great, whether that be in business or in life, and how understanding that is a key to success.    Matt shares how the death of his Dad taught him to be unshakeable and to keep finding a way to move forward. He discusses how his experience in pro sports helps him find joy in the struggles he encounters on the entrepreneurial journey.   You’ll also hear Matt’s ti

Juliet Funt is a Productivity Wizard. She is a renowned Keynote Speaker, CEO, Author and tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500.   In this episode, Juliet gets into the tactics of how and what to do in order to create more space in your day and life. You’ll learn how to recognize that you’re doing too much, how Juliet helps companies and individuals reduce busyness and why space to recover, think, and be strategic, is the key to your efficiency.   If you are a person in constant rush, throwing your hands in the air right at the brink of burnout, Juliet discusses what you can do to create more space and give yourself permission to “Opt-Out”.   If you are employer, Juliet gives you actionable tools to avoid being a casualty of the great resignation, and retain your talent.   You’ll also hear Juliet break one of her own rules, and share her ultimate Why Not Now? story; a story that she has never shared during a podcast interview before that involves her traveling to 14 countries in 2 years whilst still running he

We’re back and we have some big news!  For Amy Jo, 2022 is all about living life on offense, playing full out and falling in love with her life a little more every day. Imagine how that can compound over time? Regardless of where you're starting from, whether you're at a deficit or a surplus of joy, imagine falling in love with your life just a little bit more every single day. Little and often. That consistency definitely compounds over time. Which bring us to the reason we took a break to begin with. In true Why Not Now? and Renegade form, we’ve launched a new company - Renegade Global. In this episode you’ll learn why we started Renegade Global, who we are, what we do and how our Renegade approach is bringing true joy and fulfillment to our clients in this time of "The Great Resignation", or as we like to call it, The Great Rebellion. Next week we’ll be back with our usual interview format. For more info head to renegade.global.

Dan Khabie is the Co-Founder of CourtAvenue, an operating network helping transform the digital landscape. CourtAvenue doesn’t predict the future, they create the future. The people behind the company are literally laying the ground work and pave the way into the unknown. Dan is a master storyteller with a contagious zest for life.    In this episode, Dan talks about one of his most impactful Why Not Now? moments that came when he was only 24 and starting his first company, Digitaria. He tells the incredible story of how he won the business of Digitaria’s first big client & how that moment transformed the trajectory of his career.    Dan and Amy Jo discuss navigating major downturns in business. He shares the unbelievable story of his first child’s birth when his business partner snuck into the delivery room to inform Dan that they were out of cash and didn’t have the funds for payroll. This moment could’ve been the end of his entrepreneurial journey, but instead, he chose to seek out the advice, knowledg

Virginia Suliman is the Executive Vice President and CIO of Invitation Homes. Prior to joining Invitation Homes, Virginia was Senior Vice President of Software Engineering at Hilton Worldwide, where she held a variety of escalating roles across Digital and Technology.   In this episode, Virginia shares a Why Not Now? moment that came after working with Hilton Worldwide for 22 years. She was offered a position with Invitation Homes, and while she initially had no intention of taking the job, she decided to go to the interview. She shares the story of meeting with the CEO and how a Pop-tart led her to say “Why Not Now”?   Virginia and Amy Jo discuss creating culture and building an environment in the workplace where people can feel comfortable to be themselves and let their creativity flow. She looks at her team as a collection of souls and works to understand who they are in order to help fully unlock their potential.    She talks about how she draws from her own personal life experiences to make her a stronge

Stephanie Paterik is editor in chief and SVP of Adweek, the industry’s most trusted source for news and insights about advertising, marketing, and media innovation. She is an award-winning journalist who rose from freelance copy editor to a member of the office of the CEO in only 6 years.    In this episode, Stephanie shares a Why Not Now? story with Amy Jo that shaped the journey of her life and career. She had been working as a journalist in Phoenix for several years when she made the decision to quit her job, move to New York City, become a poet, and start an editorial consulting business on the side. This part of Stephanie’s journey felt like a detour, but it ultimately led to the role of editor in chief of Adweek.    Stephanie believes that success can be found in the intersection of business and creativity. She discovered that after receiving her MFA in poetry, her business began to thrive. She shares how she was able to apply the creative tools and skills she developed through her art to her work life.

Samantha Busch is an author, entrepreneur, influencer, co-owner of a professional racing team and wife to NASCAR driver Kyle Busch.   On this episode of Why Not Now?, Amy Jo and Samantha talk about their respective fertility journeys.   Samantha said Why Not Now? to writing a book, "Fighting Infertility", which details her experience with miscarriage and unexplained infertility. By sharing her story on social media, on her blog, and in her book, she even brought attention to a specific fertility issue she was having that had previously been under researched.   Amy Jo and Samantha discuss the importance of bringing more attention to and funding research for fertility. A third of couples going through infertility have unexplained fertility. Samantha’s foundation, The Kyle and Samantha Busch Bundle of Joy Foundation, helps couples build families through IVF treatment.   Samantha also shares her tips on going through the fertility journey, including “interviewing” your doctors before committing to one and writing

Jeni Britton Bauer is the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams. She’s a pioneer of the artisan ice cream movement.   On this episode of Why Not Now?, Jeni shares the creative process behind inventing ice cream flavors. She says she draws inspiration from our ever-changing culture, so there’s no shortage of flavor ideas.   Jeni’s Why Not Now? moment involves the first time she mixed scented oils with ice cream, creating delicious concoctions for a dinner party and realizing the untapped potential of ice cream.   Jeni tells Amy Jo about following the intuition that she has refined and earned over 26 years in business. Jeni can even feel it in her body when an ice cream flavor is right- it literally moves her.   Jeni also shares her collaborative approach to business. She places a lot of importance on teamwork and asking for help in order to create something that is greater than the sum of her team’s parts. She talks about collaborating with celebrities like Dolly Parton and Tyler, th

Michael Stich helps marketers understand and apply innovation to their work. He is an expert in combining applicable data with creativity.    After leading the global Dell business for WPP, Michael now serves as General Partner and CEO of Services for CourtAvenue, a new and rising operating network. On this episode of Why Not Now?, Michael talks about the transition and new challenges involved in leaving a big company for a small startup.   Michael also tells Amy Jo that there’s no formula for innovation, but he shares his process for making decisions that involves both an excel spreadsheet and listening to your gut. Michael shares the four phases of innovation waves that have hit the marketing world, and how you and your company can take advantage of this newest wave.    Michael and Amy Jo also talk about how the pandemic has affected innovation and driven change, finding a balance between staying in processes that work and creating new processes, and advocating for more women to get involved in investing op