extraordinarypeople

Dr. Alice Jill Edwards spends many of her days listening to the testimonies of torture victims. Now the UN’s Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment, she works towards a world in which torture is finally a thing of the past.

“I do remember the faces of most of the people I've met, and in fact, they keep me going in this work. And at the same time, of course, their stories haunt me.”

The United Nations Convention on Torture bans all forms of torture and other inhuman treatment, and yet these malpractices are on the rise worldwide in a mounting number of conflicts. In this episode, Dr. Alice Jill Edwards reflects on the challenge of holding states to their commitments, the visible and invisible scars torture leaves behind, and on the need to recharge without guilt.

Lewis Pugh was never afraid to take the plunge. Now ocean advocate for the United Nations Environment Programme, the record-breaking cold-water swimmer has completed long distance swims at both of the earth’s Poles, in the Red Sea, and along the length of the Hudson River, to spread a message of habitat renewal and conservation.

“The first thing that happens is I can't breathe and I’m gasping for air. And the cold just grips its way around you. And you just got to try and control your mind, because there's a moment when you feel like panicking because there's nothing like this.”

Healthy oceans, seas and rivers are essential to supporting life on Earth - providing food, medicine, and acting as the world’s largest carbon sink. In this episode, Lewis Pugh reflects on his love for the water, on his breathtaking swims, and on breaking the diplomatic ice to create the world’s largest marine park.

Erasmia Roumana’s job requires extraordinary strength. Working in Greece as a protection associate with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, she interviews refugees who have survived devastating shipwrecks at sea after embarking on desperate journeys in search of a better life.

“I have seen some very horrible situations. And I always wonder at that moment, how can people survive this? How can people move on after this?”

One tragic story stood out over the years. In 2014, Syrian refugee Doaa survived three days at sea following a shipwreck which killed 500 people, including her fiancé. In this episode, Erasmia Roumana shares the latest fateful twist in Doaa’s story and reflects on the courage and resilience of the survivors she meets.

Stephen Jackson fell hard for Africa three decades ago, and never looked back. Now the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, he channels his passion into his work, bringing together UN agencies to support the continent in its drive for sustainable development. 

“Sometimes in this job, you just end up falling in love with the country where you work. Kenya is a very special place, and I think is a country on an extraordinary upwards curve, a very rapid one. You meet incredibly inspiring people here, and I love it to bits.”

Africa is a continent set on rapid development, with many observers pointing to Kenya’s maturing democracy and green transition as a model for other nations. In this episode, Stephen Jackson reflects on Africa’s fascinating diversity, as well as its invigorating self-confidence, resilience and ambition.

Robert is a Speaker, Author, Leadership Trainer, and Executive Coach who integrates a heart-centered, result-oriented and transformational leadership approach to being effective.

He’s a serial entrepreneur including having founded and led two training industry success stories with over one million graduates of high-impact experiential learning seminars.

In this episode…

Robert White talks about how he found a sense of purpose during a time of need turned out to be life-changing. A previous “no” became a hard “yes” in a time of desperation that led to his financial success for years to come. Sometimes it is after a period of courting that it becomes apparent that saying yes will work.

Facing unknown situations can, ultimately, be a good thing. You are uninhibited by not having preconceived notions. So, taking that plunge isn't as scary when you have no previous experience to use as a means to discount the idea. When you have that desire to do something different, you are more apt to take the chance. When the idea just won’t leave you alone, you have to try.

Passion and commitment are the best characteristics to take the chance on entrepreneurship. Starting your own company takes the energy of passion and commitment to that passion. Entrepreneurs can teach you so much. How you show up with the client matters. So, your presence matters when making that ask.

Robert says, “You aren’t enough” is a great motivator to do great things. However, you need to overcome that and have a positive relationship with yourself. Success is not narrowly defined and is a personal reflection for yourself. Get clear on what you want to accomplish, just don’t get tunnel vision. Stay awake to what’s possible.

Resources Mentioned in this episode

• Extraordinary People on LinkedIn
• ExtraordinaryPeople.com 
• Robert White on LinkedIn 
• Just Start: Take Action, Embrace Uncertainty, Create the Future by Leonard Schlesinger and Charles Kiefer
• Finance-Ability
• Stephanie Sims
• Stephanie Sims LinkedIn

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