Intentionally Overheard w/Robert Ginyard

Born and raised in New York, Eric Haft is quickly becoming one the most sought- after comedians in the country. His unique blend of everyday observations, as well as his take on family and relationship material, set him apart from most other comics in the entertainment world. Eric has opened and appeared with Kevin James, Rob Schneider, Gary Valentine as well as many other top Comedians throughout the country. 

Eric and I caught up to talk about:

1. Realizing your dream.
2. Doing the thing that scares you.
3. Living a life of purpose.
4. Realizing your full potential.     

You can follow Eric at:

https://haft2laugh.com
https://www.instagram.com/erichaft1/

Matt Ode:

From Cancer to Coma, at the age of 24 Matt Ode was diagnosed with stage 3C Testicular cancer. After chemotherapy and a very complicated surgery to remove the remaining cancer from his body, Matt encountered various complications. He was under the watch and care of the ICU for over 40 days and in the Cleveland Clinic for 53 days where he was met with a number of near-death experiences including 5 major surgeries causing a large open wound on his stomach. For two weeks, he laid non-responsive in a coma, met with complete kidney and liver failure, and went into cardiac arrest where nurses performed 8 minutes of CPR to bring him back to life.

Doctors didn’t know if and when he would awake, informing his family and girlfriend he would likely be on dialysis the rest of his life having to relearn everyday tasks like eating and walking again.

Prior to the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, Matt was a healthy personal trainer weighing in at 185 lb. But this disease wreaked havoc on his body and in a matter of 8 months he dwindled down to a mere 110 lbs.

Fast forward 3 years later after hard work and deep internal discovery, Matt Ode is as vibrant, enthusiastic, and energetic as ever helping individuals transform their mind, body and spirt, as a transformation coach and highly sought after Keynote Inspirational Speaker.

You can follow Matt at:

https://mattodespeaks.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-ode-64376715b/



You can follow Robert at:

https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/
https://twitter.com/RobertGinyard

Candance L. Greene is a published writer, podcaster and the founder of
Cherishedflight, a ministry dedicated to helping people realign with the peace of God.
She has produced over 130 episodes of Cherishedflight the Podcast where she shares
biblical steps her listeners can take to implement the peace of God in their lives on a
daily basis.

Candance is known for introducing the concept of #PeaceBreaksTM for women who are
overwhelmed by the demands of marriage, motherhood and maintaining their careers.
With the #PeaceBreak, Candance encourages women to step away from what they are
doing to carve out moments in their day to pray and breathe to decrease stress and
reconnect with the presence of God. During the COVID-19 quarantine, she conducted
live #PeaceBreaksTM on Facebook and Instagram with her followers, that she calls her
#PeaceCollective, to provide a safe space where they could come to breathe, pray and
connect with the peace of God.

Candance is a graduate of Paine College, an HBCU where she earned a BA in English,
and Goucher College, where she earned an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing. She is
a native Nashvillian who now resides in Baltimore with her husband and three
children.
We caught up to talk about:
1. Family
2. Faith
3. Living a life of Purpose

You can follow Candance at:
https://www.facebook.com/Cherishedflight/
https://www.instagram.com/cherishedflight/
https://twitter.com/cherishedflight
https://www.cherishedflight.com


You can follow Robert at:

https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/
https://twitter.com/RobertGinyard

Dyanne Marte is a designer, educator, and doctoral student. Originally from Suriname, South America, Dyanne has lived in the states since 1979 and grew up in Montgomery County. She received her BFA in Fashion from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1998. 

Dyanne lived in New York City and worked for New York and Co., J. Crew, and Doncaster. Dyanne also received her graduate degree in Design Management from Pratt institute in 2003. Upon her father's abrupt death from pancreatic cancer, she moved to Baltimore, Maryland, to start her company Dennya at the end of 2003. Dyanne ran her fashion label for 11 years.  

After shutting down my clothing lined in 2014, she consulted for other brands. While she was running her business, Dyanne started teaching for Baltimore Community College in fall 2005 and has been teaching ever since. In 2010 she co-wrote a fashion design concentration under the visual communications and digital media arts major for Bowie State University. Also, she wrote a curriculum for the Community College of Baltimore County, where she taught youths in summer programs and adults in continuing education. 

She moved to Sacramento, California, in 2016 to run the fashion department at American River College. As the department chair, she secured funding for the expansion of the fashion design and merchandising program. Currently, she has completed coursework for her Doctorate Degree in Education at Liberty University. Her capstone research is based on improving online lab courses at the community college level will meet all degree requirements by May 2022. Dyanne is publishing a multimedia textbook with Top Hat on inclusive fashion illustration and technical design that will be available in January 2021. She currently lives in Davis, California, with her fiancé, a chihuahua, a German Shepherd, and five chickens.  

Alana Andrews is the 17-year-old Author, Speaker, Founder & C.E.O. of So Positive, LLC., and The SWEY Corporation. The SWEY Corporation is a company that’s innovative in its approach in developing products for teens to promote a positive lifestyle while creating a positive self-image of themselves. As a graduate of the Young Entrepreneur’s Academy (YEA), Alana learned how to turn her passion for helping teens build confidence and a healthy lifestyle into products by creating the first natural sports drink for GEN Z called SWEY

In her second book, “Creating Confidence,” Alana founded the So Positive Initiative (SPI). SPI mentor’s 5th-grade students to help them understand and develop their self-confidence as they matriculate into middle school. This year, SPI has created a 12-book series for elementary students. These books will be published each month. Currently, seven of the book titles are available on Amazon.

Alana is a junior at Potomac Falls High School. She served as the President of D.E.C.A. in the 2019-2020 school year, and she’s currently working toward her Girls Scouts Gold Award. Alana is a member of the P.F.H.S. National Honor Society, Tennis team, she was appointed to be the 2019-2020 youth business ambassador for the Harvard University Young Women’s Business Leaders Conference (B.O.L.D.), and most recently, she’s been accepted to study in the Young Leaderships Business program at U.P.E.N.N.’s Wharton Business School for the summer of 2021. Alana has received numerous leadership and community service awards within her schools and community. She resides with her family in Loudoun County.

You can follow Alana at:
https://www.instagram.com/alanaandrews/
https://www.instagram.com/sweytoplay/
https://www.sweytoplay.com



You can follow Robert at:

https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/
https://twitter.com/RobertGinyard

Rose Mills is a corporate exec turned entrepreneur, and the founder of Rose Mills Influencer, LLC, a social media agency, helping solopreneurs and small business owners get clear on social media strategy: a strategic roadmap that helps to elevate brands from ordinary to extraordinary on social media.

Rose and I caught up to talk about:

1. Pursuing dreams and goals
2. Operating in your life's purpose
3. Embracing the little kid in us in order to make us fearless


You can follow Rose at: 

https://rosemillsinfluencer.com
https://www.instagram.com/rosemillsinfluencer/


You can follow Robert at:
https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/


Rose Mills Bio

Having spent 15+ years working with national businesses building strategic brand partnerships for brands like Target, Walgreens and Olay, Rose had her ‘aha’ moment to start her own business while on a flight to San Francisco to meet with a large client. Realizing she was missing yet another wedding anniversary, she knew it was time to go out on her own.

Simultaneously and unbeknownst to Rose, she had also built her own personal brand, on social media. She decided to take on her biggest challenge, to become a distance runner, to support her father’s journey, as he was about to take on the biggest challenge of his life. Fighting stage 4 prostate cancer. Led by her tagline, "I run for my Dad - #StrongLikeBull", she built a community of runners, and prostate cancer patients and families from all over the world who shared in her journey, and eventually became an advocate and champion for ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to end prostate cancer. 

After realizing she was telling a story on social media, she knew that was where she wanted to focus her business. But where was the need? With small business owners. Women especially. All have beautiful stories, all share similar journeys to becoming entrepreneurs and are the face of their businesses. But small business owners also don’t have the advertising budgets that national brands and businesses have, to reach their target audiences. But what did they have? The incredible power of a platform that allowed for ORGANIC marketing...SOCIAL MEDIA! 

It’s her mission to help female solopreneurs feel comfortable and confident appearing on social media as the face behind their business, with a voice that represents the very essence of their brand; to attract, engage and and build trust with a loyal community who who will find value in who they are and what they offer. 

Today, I have a discussion with Tom Hulsey, 9-time Ironman competitor, prostate cancer survivor, and author of-The Winning Mindset That Saved My Life.
We talk about:

1 What it takes to compete as an Ironman.
2. His most unusual birthday present.
3.  How changing his mindset helped him take on his prostate cancer battle.
4. The importance of setting goals and taking action to achieve them.
5. How adopting his strategies can help others live a life of purpose and fulfillment.

You can follow Tom at:
https://www.tomhulsey.com
https://twitter.com/TomHulsey
https://www.instagram.com/tom.hulsey/


You can follow Robert at:

https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/
https://twitter.com/RobertGinyard


Tom Hulsey's Bio

In 2015, Tom Hulsey heard these dreaded words from his doctor, “you have cancer.” The diagnosis sent him into a tailspin. Having lost his best friend to prostate cancer the year before, he was ready to quit, to not even try to fight the disease. Why is this important? He is not a quitter, yet this bad news overwhelmed him.  What changed? Loved ones and friends gave Tom ways and reasons to live. One reason was to be around to walk his daughter down the aisle. 
After completing his cancer recovery goals, including the IRONMAN and walking his daughter down the aisle, Tom dedicated his life to helping others through philanthropy. He serves on the Board at Mary Crowley Cancer Research (“hope lives here”), Peer Reviewer & Mentor for the DoD’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) and Board Member at ZERO The End of Prostate Cancer. 
Tom was the recipient of the 2019 Lauren Beam Philanthropy Award at the New York University School of Professional Studies and the Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport for his “dedication and contributions toward philanthropic efforts that resulted in significant, positive effects on the world of sports and beyond.” 
Tom recently authored The Winning Mindset that Saved My Life.  It is a great story and inspirational book. Tom applies the skills and attitudes required to compete in an IRONMAN to life’s struggles. 100% of the net proceeds benefit cancer research, awareness and education. The book is rated 5 out of 5 Stars on Amazon.   
Tom earned his BS degree in Business Administration, with a minor in finance from the University of Tennessee.  His career has been in technology; creating solutions by leveraging technology to make the world a safer place.  Tom lives in Dallas with his wife Lauren.  They have 2 married children and 3 grandchildren.

       

 As a member of the 2009 North Carolina Tar Heel National Championship team, Marcus shares what is was like being a part of a team that was laser focused on going all the way after suffering a devastating loss in the 2008 Final Four Tournament.   During his career at Carolina, his teams won 2 ACC Championships, and went to 2 Final Fours. Marcus was also awarded ACC All-Tournament Team and ACC All-Defense honors in 2008.  Marcus shares his experiences as a professional basketball player and how it impacts his life, and he offers his thoughts on:

1.   The process of winning
2. Achieving your goals
3. Realizing your dreams. 
4. Living a life of purpose.  

You can follow Marcus at:
https://marcusginyard.com/
https://twitter.com/mg1nyard
https://www.instagram.com/mg1nyard/

You can follow Robert at:

https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/
https://twitter.com/RobertGinyard

Ron Ginyard, Jr.  is the Director of Middle School Admission at St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia. Ron initially joined the schools' community to teach Middle School physical education and coach basketball after spending six seasons as a collegiate basketball assistant coach and four seasons as a high school assistant coach. He has worked at Niagara University, The United States Naval Academy, The Citadel, Columbia University, and Bishop O’Connell High School. 
Ron believes in the power of honest and respectful dialogue, and the power of the relationships that get built through that dialogue(especially when it connects different backgrounds and perspectives through our common humanity).  He further believes that education(not necessarily school) has a unique and transformational power to change our world in positive ways-if it's done right, it is a gateway to true freedom.
We caught up to talk about:

1. Pursuing Dreams.
2. Living a life on purpose.
3. Living in the now.  

 
 You can follow Ron at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-ginyard-jr-792955149/

Ronald Ginyard's Bio

Ron is a proud husband and father and a school administrator. He loves team sports. He loves being outdoors appreciating, exercising, and realizing his place in nature. He loves to travel and see the world (even if only through a book or especially through meditation), and he loves spending time with family and friends enjoying life. It is important to him that whatever he does for "work" improves the lives of people and other life forms that are most in need. Ron believes in the power of honest and respectful dialogue, and the power of the relationships that get built through that dialogue (especially when it connects different backgrounds and perspectives through our common humanity). Strong relationships created through HUMAN storytelling will make this world a better and more joyous home for ALL life. He humbly believes education (not necessarily school) has a unique and transformational power to change our world in positive ways. Done right, it is a gateway to true Freedom.

Each step in his career has been driven by a chosen purpose to impact the lives of young people as they move forward to the next stages of their lives. The journey started as a basketball coach, transitioned to teaching, and for the time being has landed in school administration. Every opportunity provided the platform to impact increasingly larger groups of students and families. As he continues to progress through his professional career and personal life he constantly reflects on his experience attending schools, living, coaching, teaching, and leading in the Washington DC area.

He is now the Director of Middle School Admission at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA. Ron joined the St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School community to teach Middle School physical education and coach basketball after spending six seasons as a collegiate basketball assistant coach and four seasons as a high school assistant coach. He has worked at Niagara University, The United States Naval Academy, The Citadel, Columbia University, and Bishop O’Connell High School. During those ten years he assumed many different duties and gained progressive experience in program building, attracting student athletes, player development, team development, culture creation, leadership development, academic support, alumni relations, and community service. 

He played high school basketball and graduated from Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, Virginia, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University. His father grew up in Baltimore, served in the USMC for 22 years, and continues to serve as a federal employee. 

Appreciation backward. Sometimes there are moments, experiences, and places in our lives that were pivotal in shaping who we become many years later. For me, one of those places was the University of Miami, and the lessons learned ...priceless.  

For this episode of Intentionally Overheard, I decided to go back to school and talk with Steve Rucker- my former college music professor at the University of Miami (34 years ago). We had a wonderful conversation about  our respective journeys, life lessons, music, and living a fearless life with purpose.

Here's a bit of background on Steve: 
Steve Rucker has had extensive performing and teaching experience over the last forty years. Originally from North Carolina, Mr. Rucker attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, and holds an Undergraduate Degree in Studio Music and Jazz and a Masters Degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. He has twice been voted “Best Jazz Performer” and “Most Versatile Artist” in South Florida polls. 

Since 1979, Mr. Rucker has been the Director of the Drumset Program at the University of Miami, where he has created many unique and creative programs. His Drumset Improvisation class is one of the most unique programs in the country. He directs the Funk/Fusion Ensemble, which has Downbeat Student Awards almost every year since 2001.  In previous years has created Tower of Power Ensemble and Weather Report Ensembles. 

Mr. Rucker was a member of the Bee Gees band for over twelve years, and appeared with them on the Tonight Show, Oprah Winfrey, The Today Show, VH 1 Specials, David Letterman, Rosie O'Donnell, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, and at a Command Performance for the Queen of England. In 1997, he appeared at a Bee Gees concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas which was shown on pay-per-view television, HBO, and was mastered as a live album.

His latest book, Exercises in African-American Funk, a collaboration with former student Jonathan Joseph, has created quite a buzz in the drum world.  

Denise Semonick is an author, certified motivational speaker, and 20-year educator who inspires people of all ages with lifelong insights and perspectives of empowerment.  Denise has lived in many U.S. states and has traveled extensively, hiking arduous switchbacks and countless trails of this country's most beautiful national parks.  Today, Denise and I talk about her book, Y.E.S.-An Elevating Experience. Her book's title, an acronym for You Empower Self, sparks innate drive toward the enhancement of mind, body, spirit.  Denise shares strategies to attain new perspectives and insightful mindsets by understanding:

1. You have the answers to arising questions
2. Empowerment is central to your journey
3. Self-confidence influences positive life experiences  

You can follow Denise at:

https://www.ascendinginsights.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-semonick/


You can follow Robert at:

https://www.instagram.com/robertdibidibi/
https://www.instagram.com/dibidibination/
https://twitter.com/RobertGinyard