Unconventional Life – Podcast, Blog, Live Events

Author: Jules Schroeder

  • Self-Mastery, Search Engine Optimization, and 7 Steps Systems with Immy Tariq

    Self-Mastery, Search Engine Optimization, and 7 Steps Systems with Immy Tariq

    Immy Tariq is a master super-connector, publicity expert, and a legend in the Search Engine Optimization and Lead Generation fields.  He is the founder of Webmetrix Group, a company dedicated to creating unmatchable results for businesses wanting to take their online presence to another dimension.  He’s also a best selling author and has been featured on CNBC, CNN, Bravo, and A&E.   

    In Immy’s podcast, you will learn…

    • 7 steps to radically transform your productivity
    • How to prioritize what is most important every single day
    • Best practices to connect people and build your network
    • And much more…

    Inspired Relational Insights from Immy’s Podcast

    Seek To Find the Opportunity in Every Interaction

    If it’s all about who you know, Immy is a great person to be connected to.  He’s a super connector with an innovative mindset striving for excellence in everything he sets out to accomplish.  Immy stresses the importance of people’s time, advising thorough research about their offerings and background when it comes to introducing people and asking for advice. 

    By expanding the possibilities currently existent in one’s field through connections, he sees how to structure his network to provide massive value and recognize opportunities in advance. Listen for the thing that lights someone up.  What are they interested in?  How might you be able to support them in this desire or dream?  How might they be able to contribute to your life?  Who or what do you know that they absolutely need to be in touch with to further their career?  There is an opportunity in every interaction, seek to find the gems.    

    Invest in Your Relationships

    You’re continuously impacting the people you meet, regardless of the business you’re in.  Upon listening to Immy, I’m reminded of the Maya Angelou quote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.  It’s clear that Immy strives to create pleasurable experiences with the people he meets by the amount of time he invests in truly getting to know someone.

    When you’re working with a client, collaborating on a project, or simply meeting someone for the first time, invest in truly getting to know what they are about.  What do you want this person to remember about you?  What quality of conversation do you wish to be having?  What could you share with this person that would make a difference in their life? It’s easy to understand the impact that Immy had when he met Jules and asked what he could do for her.  How might you offer your expertise and knowledge? 

    Offer a Solution to a Pain Point

    By tapping into desired outcomes, he’s able to find solutions and simplify the order of operations.  Immy enjoys finding his client’s SEO problems to provide tools that alleviate any frustrations or confusion they may have been having.  In this case, Immy’s superpower shines while his clients benefit from the invaluable addition he provides.  A win-win for all parties involved is the aim of the game.  

    What do you have to offer?  What do you love to share that can make a difference in another person’s life?  There is something only you have to give in the exact way you do.  Seek out the opportunity, invest in your relationships, and offer your unique solutions.

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    Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing.

  • How to Travel the World For Free While Getting Top Hotels to Pay You with Instagram Influencer Zach Benson

    How to Travel the World For Free While Getting Top Hotels to Pay You with Instagram Influencer Zach Benson

    Zach Benson is the founder of Assistagram, an Instagram growth agency that reaches a network of 500M+ across its Instagram accounts. Assistagram has engineered the social media strategy behind top-tier brands like The Four Seasons and The Ritz Carlton.  He is also the founder of Tribe Influencer, an online course designed specifically for those wanting to learn how to become an official travel and lifestyle influencer.

    In Zach’s podcast, you will learn…

      • How he gets paid to travel the world
      • Why he is compelled to help people through Instagram
      • How to boost your numbers and expand your network
      • And much more…

    “Content is king. It’s always going to be king, and with great content comes crazy growth”

    If you’re one of Zach’s followers on Instagram, you may have seen some of the luxury hotels he’s been paid to stay at.  With over 300+ free nights under his belt, it’s easy to see why Zach is the best in the world at travel hacking.  While he may not be the first to discover travel hacking (think earning points for flights through credit cards), he’s found a way to offer immense value while experiencing the richness and wonder of resorts across the globe.

    Hotels are always in need of exposure, new content, perspective, tools and efficiency tricks.  In recent years, hotels have been selling out months in advance because of Instagram and influencer marketing.  By offering exposure and placement in travel pages, influencers have found a way to leverage their gifts within the hospitality industry.

    Founding two companies, Assistagram and Tribe Influencer, Zach has seen the wildfire growth that happens with great content and strategic systems.  Dedicated to helping others be the savvy influencers they were born to be, Zach’s answered a few common questions for you to confidently dive into Instagram and unleash the influencer within.

    What is Instagram and why should I use it? Simply put, Instagram is the most engaging platform in the world for captivating content.  It is perfect for branding and marketing, as it features profiles and photos that span an abundance of different interests.  From puppy pics to product launches, secret getaways to death-defying accomplishments, it’s hard to remember life without this platform.  Whether you want to drool over decadent dishes or scroll the latest news, there is something for everyone to discover and desire.  It’s a hub to be heard on, somewhere people can celebrate and comment on what you want to share.

    Adopted from South Korea, Zach grew up in Iowa somewhat confused about his place in this world.  A speech impediment kept him rather quiet for most of his life, and it wasn’t until he found dance that he started to be more confident.  Being able to give back and help people find their voice to speak to the world is one of the biggest reasons Zach loves Instagram so much — he’s found a way to continuously provide value and enrich the experience for more than just himself in the process. 

    I don’t have a big following, where do I start? If you don’t have a big account yet, don’t worry.  Focus on your strengths, what can you provide?  Zach recommends just getting into action.  For his travel hacking, he chooses a place he wants to stay and reaches out at least a month before.  His focus is 4-5 star hotels.  He sends an email and will follow up as needed.   When Zach is pitching these hotels, he is committed to finding a win-win, and most of all offering tons of value.  You may hear some ‘no’s’, but keep going. 

    Zach also suggests helping out other big accounts, building relationships with others in your field of interest, and asking if you can help leverage their accounts. 

    How can I boost my network? It’s all about posting epic content.  The more engagement you have with your audience the better.  A quick tip for those just starting out — repost viral content that others have posted.  Begin with the end in mind and learn what your target audience responds well to.  Zach advises mastering the basics.  Create captivating content, research hashtags, and join engagement groups.  The more your research the basics, the better.

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    Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing. 

  • Power To The People: Catalysing A Movement Through Collaboration

    Power To The People: Catalysing A Movement Through Collaboration

    Alex Ebert is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.  Beyond his accolades and musical impact, Alex is fiercely passionate about democracy and changing the way we vote and engage with things we care about.  In this episode, Alex and Nick Thomas combine forces to share their collaboration and Proxy, a platform representing the people’s vote.

    In Alex’s episode, you will learn…

    • How Alex is collaborating to positively influence the political climate
    • Why a ‘slow burn’ is better than the quick hit of success
    • Why your trust and inclusion of others is essential for greater impact

    And much more…

    Inquiries and Insights from Alex’s episode…

    What is “unprofessionalized professionalism”? In Ebert’s first band, Ima Robot, he became fixated with this concept of traditional professionalism and success. With his focus on conventional wisdom, Ebert lost contact with his innate instinct to make regular everyday choices for himself.  It was almost as if he’d become a robot with programming that wasn’t his own. Instead of asking “what would Jesus do?” he began to think back to his childhood and ask what he’d do as a child.  It was this very inquiry that preceded the brilliance of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros coming into existence.

    Conventional wisdom tells us there is a path that we should all be following.  It defines the course of acceptable action that many of us have grown up anticipating as we move through the educational system and into the world of adulting.  The degree to which you can tune out social media messaging and turn up your own voice will dictate the amount of space you have to discover your own path.

    In Ebert’s case, his process of embracing the unknown was to go into an incubation-like stage.  He turned off everything imaginable to discover his own version of professionalism. Perhaps you’re not completely off the grid, but is there something in your life you’d like to redefine or restructure?

    How do you know if you’re on the right path? It’s a courageous, and sometimes seemingly impossible, feat to hit the pause button for many.  Uncertainty may be an indication of the fear of change, but by relaxing some specific expectations you have about how you want things to be you may receive information that may have been unintentionally blocked by having blinders on. Call them synchronicities or unexplainable coincidences, Ebert believes that by changing your mindset you can and will open new doors that may not have been seen in your resistance. He also has to actively remind himself to choose a different course of action when he notices himself gripping to a specific outcome.  His personal reminder is to breathe in love and breathe out self-celebration.

    If you’re following Ebert’s advice, you’ll know that you’re here doing the very thing you were put on this Earth to do and not worry too much about the outcome. The right path for you is not necessarily right for anyone else.

    How do you stay determined through thick and thin? Fulfilling your greatest dreams and desires may not win the hearts of the masses overnight.  Day in, day out choosing to cultivate a foundation that you can stand on will likely not look like a cookie cutter, manufactured success.  Like many impact-oriented entrepreneurs, the analogy of success can be compared to that of nature. It takes time to seed, nurture, tend, and gently encourage the beauty of your vision into existence.  From his own experience, Ebert shares that the slow burn fosters a deeper understanding of your ripple effect due to the intimate time you’ve spent integrating and aligning along the way.

    When Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros first released their now world-famous song “Home” it was by no means an immediate hit that went viral.  Over the course of ten years, the song eventually gained traction to become the household favorite we known and love today. It wasn’t smooth sailing over those years, but their deep-rooted self-belief was what catalyzed a greater reward through the criticism and doubts.

    What is it that you can stand by?  Sure, you may get knocked over a few times, you may wobble, but the depth of your roots will establish the foundation and stability through the tough times.  Find the victory and self-celebration within. Trust your process and believe that the wisdom you hold is of profound value no matter what.

  • Multitalented? How to Fuse Your Business and Artistic Passion into Your Life

    Multitalented? How to Fuse Your Business and Artistic Passion into Your Life

    David Andrew Wiebe is the host of The New Music Industry Podcast, founder of The Music Entrepreneur HQ, and author of The New Music Industry: Adapting, Growing, and Thriving in The Information Agebook, and The Essential Guide to Music Entrepreneurship. A multi-talented entrepreneur, he is also highly skilled in audio, video, music, and multimedia design.

    In David’s episode, you will learn…

    • How to navigate entrepreneurship when you have so much to offer
    • The importance of building a team to support your vision
    • How to be a “Both, And” person
    • And much more…

    Sound Strategies for the Beginner Entrepreneur

    Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome

    If you identify as a multipotentialite, the diverse range of gifts and skills you have to offer is vast.  With so much curiosity and interest, it can be frustrating when you’re trying to figure out where to invest your time and energy.  After all, everything seems to have so much potential!

    Wiebe shares that when he was first starting out he created all the projects and websites that beckoned to be made.  After writing his first book, he realized directing all the websites to one page would be the most efficient strategy instead of continuously writing a book for each website.  He recommends validating your exciting idea first before making anything. Once you know there is demand, it’s time to start creating.

    Insights are rapidly available, but the integration or materialization of said insight takes time and energy.  Write out your most desirable ideas and ask people you know for feedback. See what sticks and take action in the direction with the most traction.  Commit to focusing your attention on this idea for 90 days and see what comes into fruition. Allow yourself to be process-oriented instead of results-oriented along the way.  Most of all, make sure you’re enjoying yourself.

    Start with The Basics

    After being introduced to network marketing, Wiebe realized that the core components of the techniques, skills, and content he was being given could map to just about anything.  He swiftly started to apply the principles to his musical entrepreneurship and dedicated his time to increase his success.

    When you’re first starting out as an entrepreneur, you may be easily overwhelmed with the endless content flying out every crevasse of the internet.  Instead of getting caught up with the excess, try to find a blueprint of an already successful or familiar model. Be willing to adapt and practice fluidity as your business evolves, but start by solidifying your basic outline first.

    Conquer Those Defeating Tendencies

    Along the way, you will likely meet obstacles, jump hurdles, and come up against some diminishing thoughts.  Wiebe remembers his moments of questioning his projects, and shares that comparing his work to others success got the best of him at times.

    Having a strong mindset and continuously coming back to the bigger picture of your creation will support you when you’re struggling.  He suggests finding people that compliment your vision and building a team of individuals that are skilled at the tasks that are less desirable to you.  Find a way to focus your energy on the things you love to do and know that you don’t have to do it alone.

     Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing.

  • How to Turn Your Pain Into Your Purpose with Musician Nahko Bear

    How to Turn Your Pain Into Your Purpose with Musician Nahko Bear

    Nahko Bear is a world-renowned artist, visionary, futurist, and activist on a mission to empower people to reconnect with themselves in a way that connects them to their greater environments and community through his words and music.  Selling out shows across the globe, his newest album, My Name is Bear, has debuted on a number of Billboard charts and made #1 on iTunes.

    In Nahko’s podcast, you will learn…

    •    How he makes the most of his time on the road
    •    His transformative story – healing and transmuting the wounds of his past
    •    How he bridges the gap for communities worldwide
    •    And so much more…

    “The moment I think I know who I am is the moment I have it all stripped away again” – Nahko

    Sustenance for Your Entrepreneurial Journey

    Find Your Medicine. Performing sold-out shows for thousands of people around the world is certainly no small feat.  As Nahko shares the importance of his self-care routines on the road, I’m reminded of the typical entrepreneurial grind and work-life balance.  How often do you take time for yourself during the hours of dedication you’ve given to creating and cultivating your business? What routines are you actively invested in for your health and longevity?  What are you doing to stay sharp?

    Optimizing your health and wellness will advance your ability to show up in all areas of your life. Take time each day to calm your mind, move your body, and find ways to nourish yourself first and foremost.  Sometimes taking an hour out of your busy day will feel counterintuitive, but with practice, you’ll soon start to reap the benefits and understand the value of this commitment.   

    Connect to Something Greater than Yourself. Spending many years working closely with the Earth, Nahko’s commitment and connection to the sustainability of our environmental health shines through in his music.  It was through these experiences in Alaska and Hawaii that he began to heal the trauma of his past, which ultimately became the words woven into the songs of his wildly successful albums.  Using music as his vessel, Nahko’s dedication to his own personal, spiritual, and social healing has continued to inspire and impact thousands of people across the world. What started as a young man’s healing led to a greater gift for so many on their own path to self-discovery.

    What is the greater impact you are in touch with as you carve your own path?  Zoom out of your everyday life and look at where the lessons from your story’s peaks and valleys could make a difference.  Is there something you’ve been hesitant to share with the world? What kind of legacy would you like to leave? You are the only one who has this particular wisdom with your unique stories.   

    Share Your Superpowers. Nahko’s ability to cross-pollinate and combine unique populations is perhaps one of his greatest superpowers.  From yoga festivals to extreme sports events, activists and Hollywood stars, this musician truly knows how to speak to a diverse crowd.  His mix of Puerto Rican, Native American, and Filipino bloodlines started as a confusing combination and required him to step outside the societal norms to find greater possibility than the system could offer.  Instead of seeing his differences as a downfall, he chose to do his thing and boldly be himself.

    Do you have qualities that don’t quite fit the boxes you see around you?  While paving your own path may create tension at times, coming back to your greater purpose will provide support when things seem tough.  Alchemize whatever might be holding you back and find the diamond in the rough.

    •  Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing.