Gen X Amplified with Adrion Porter Adrion Porter | Speaker. Founder, Mid-Career Mastery

On this episode of Gen X Amplified, we have yes…another #FabulousOver40 Fireside Chat edition. And it’s with  my good friend, the fabulous and phenomenal Tara Jaye Frank.
And we are going to be unpacking her latest and greatest book The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence.
Which in my opinion Is a MUST READ for all workplace leaders today.
Without question.
About Tara Tara is an equity strategist, speaker, C-Suite advisor, and the President and CEO of TJF Career Modeling LLC — where she partners with executives to create learning experiences that advance critical culture and leadership goals.
She is also the author of The Waymakers: Clearing the Path to Workplace Equity with Competence and Confidence.
Prior to charting her course as an entrepreneur, Tara was a corporate executive at one of the most beloved consumer brands in the world, Hallmark Cards, Inc.
Tara actually began her 20+ year career at Hallmark as a greeting card writer, where her gift as a powerful wordsmith and storyteller inspired many people during special and celebrated life moments.
However, Tara’s growth and trajectory at Hallmark was limitless, and also history making.
During her tenure, Tara advanced to become the youngest person in Hallmark’s history to be promoted into executive management…
And also the company’s very first African-American female vice president.
But after a mid-career pivot and wonderful life-changing event, Tara’s current “post-Hallmark” career has definitely been filled with meaning, purpose, and massive impact.
And as a passionate voice and champion for inclusion, Tara truly cherishes the power of community.
When she’s not giving candid and transparent advice on fee negotiation and pay equity to underrepresented speakers…
Tara is always on brand — delivering timeless value across a variety of subjects to her audience.
That is being fabulous and phenomenal over 40.
Tara’s Waymakers Theme Song “Made a Way, by Travis Greene Thank you for listening! Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!
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On this episode of Gen X Amplified, I have a great and important conversation with Zephrine Hanson.
Zephrine is a veteran, farmer, story amplifier, and the founder of Hampden Farms, a suburban farming project that offers small-batch artisanal products made from organic ingredients that are lovingly grown and sustainably sourced.
And she also happens to be a fellow member of LinkedIn’s inaugural cohort of its Creator Accelerator Program!
During this episode, Zephrine and I discuss her personal story — which includes a beginning career in the military, how she got into lavender farming, and her insights and advice on managing one’s mental health.
Particularly as a 40-plus professional, business owner, parent, and community builder. 
About Zephrine Born and raised in San Fernando Valley California, Zephrine enlisted in the Air Force immediately after graduating high school.
With a background in media communications and journalism, she served as a public affairs and medical photographer stationed in Germany and Texas.
After medical retirement from the Air Force in 2004, Zephrine shifted to freelance photography, returned to college for communications. With the resounding support of her partner, the Hansons packed up and moved to Denver, CO in 2016 where she embraced a calmer, holistic lifestyle.
Finally enjoying some space to breathe, Zephrine took advantage of veteran programs including The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) consortium at UCLA, the Veterans to Farmers program in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens (DBG), and the Veterans’ Path mindfulness and yoga training in Colorado.
In 2017 she began planting seeds and nurturing people through Hampden Farms, a suburban farming project offering sustainable farming solutions and small-batch artisanal products made from organic ingredients lovingly grown and conscientiously sourced.
Through Hampden Farms, Zephrine continued collaborations with the DBG to include earning her 300-hour Herbalism Certification. She now serves as a Self-Care Share Producer and Farmer for Chatfield along with being an instructor and ambassador for the Garden’s Veterans-to-Farmers program.
Zephrine is a proud member of the Denver Metro Area’s chapter of MileHigh Farmers, the grassroots organization for farmers and farmer advocates. She is also lends her experience and voice to the Food Policy Cohort for LiveWell focused on overcoming inequitable access to healthy food and physical activity in Colorado.
To better marry her passion for sustainable farming with drive for entrepreneurship and enterprise, Zephrine is actively pursuing Bunker Lab’s Veteran-in-Residence program.
She continues to advocate and be a community influencer for Autism awareness and education joining the TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades) board in February, 2020.
When Zephrine is not changing the world one plant and person at a time, she enjoys epic LEGO builds with her three tween inventors and going down Google rabbit holes with her favorite tech nerd and beloved partner, Justin.
 
Zephrine’s Personal Theme Song “Control” by Janet Jackson  
Thank you for listening! Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!
 
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On this episode of Gen X Amplified, I am joined by the wonderful and amazing Kim Alexis Newton.
Kim is a former Hallmark Cards Inc. corporate executive, quilt artist, board member, and also my fellow Vanderbilt Business School alumni! She is also one of the featured phenoms in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series on LinkedIn.
During this episode, Kim and I chat about her 20-plus years experience working for Hallmark Cards – which was her dream job coming out of business school. And also why and how she decided to leave corporate after many years to pursue her dreams of creating magic and meaningful impact with her art.
 
About Kim Kim is a seasoned global marketing executive, board director, advisor, quilt artist, and entrepreneur.
She is also the creator of the Intentional Pause™ Project, a media, product and experience platform helping women embrace “pausing” as a powerful way to achieve their dreams.
Prior to her entrepreneurial journey, Kim spent 20+ years as an executive leader for one of the most iconic brands in the world, Hallmark Cards. During her Hallmark tenure, Kim directly influenced global corporate strategy, and led transformation across a $4B diversified portfolio of top brands. 
She has also been recognized multiple times as a top African-American in corporate America.  
However, it was toward the end of her stint at Hallmark when Kim reached a mid-career “malaise” inflection point. — and felt complacent, unsatisfied, and overwhelmed with an empty feeling of unfulfilled dreams. 
Therefore, Kim transformed that feeling of malaise into mid-career “mastery” — and began maximizing her impact on the world by bringing to life all of her passions including an art studio, The Intentional Pause™ Project, and her line of special handcrafted gift quilts positioned as extraordinary keepsakes for self or others.   
Her first piece was actually given to Ms. Oprah Winfrey!
Kim also has 20 years of non-profit board experience, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Big Lots Stores. 
Kim is also a proud member of the The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Jack and Jill of America, Inc., The Links, Incorporated, and the 2017 Class of Henry Crown Fellows within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at The Aspen Institute.
She also received her BA in Accounting from Fisk University and her MBA from Vanderbilt University, and lives in Kansas City with her husband, Nikki, and their daughter Piper.
Kim’s story is definitely a beacon of inspiration for anyone who is feeling stressed and stuck in their career…
And who desires to weave together their purpose, passions, and professional experiences into a meaningful path forward at any age.
Kim’s Personal Theme Song “Bigger” by Beyonce Thank you for listening! Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!
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We are back for another #FabulousOver40 edition of Gen X Amplified, featuring my chat with Sunny Bonnell, who is the co-founder and CEO of Motto — one of the top branding agencies in the country.
Sunny is also the co-author of the bestselling book RARE BREED: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different (HarperCollins), which has been hailed as one of the most unique business books of its time and used by global teams everywhere.
During our conversation, Sunny and I discuss her professional journey, her insights on thriving in mid-career, and also unpack the gems and nuggets of her book RARE BREED.
And as mentioned, Sunny also happens to be one of the phenomenal leaders previously featured in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series on LinkedIn.
About Sunny Sunny is a leadership and brand expert, speaker, and the co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of MOTTO — one of the top branding agencies in the country.
Along with her fellow MOTTO co-founder Ashleigh Hansberger, Sunny is also the author of the bestselling and highly praised book “RARE BREED: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different.”
Through her agency and book, Sunny and team are on a passionate mission to create magnetic brand experiences for promising startups and companies, while also creating a world of rule-breakers and game-changers.
Sunny has a very inspriational and unconventional professional journey.
Growing up in the Appalachian mountains, Sunny started playing guitar at the tender age of eight, and also became a prominent bluegrass player by the time she was eleven.
During her 20s while she was in college, Sunny then stepped out on faith, and launched MOTTO with $250 in order to create a disruptive and differentiated branding agency unlike many others in the industry.
Through MOTTO, Sunny has worked with many top global brands such as Google, Microsoft, Hershey’s, and Twentieth Century Fox.
A gifted storyteller and wordsmith, Sunny is a columnist for Inc. Magazine, and is a founding member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council.
She has also been featured by a number of media outlets including Entrepreneur, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Yahoo!, The Breakfast Club, and more.
Sunny is definitely thriving and winning during this meaningful stage in her career.
And the presence of her passion, along with her always visible fedora, will continue to be felt by those who truly choose to change the world.
 
Sunny’s Personal Theme Song “Don’t Kill My Vibe”, by Sigrid  
Thank you for listening! Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!
 
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For this episode of Gen X Amplified, we’re back for another #FabulousOver40 Fireside chat edition, featuring Erik Moses, President at Nashville Superspeedway, which is the largest concrete-only track in NASCAR.
Erik is is also one of the recognized leaders in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series on LinkedIn.
As mentioned in his spotlight, when Erik was named president of Nashville Superspeedway in 2020, it marked a watershed moment for representation — as he became the first Black track president in NASCAR history. 
During this episode, Erik and I discuss his professional story, his thoughts on thriving as a seasoned professional in mid-career, and his plans for making race week at Nashville Superspeedway a “must-attend” destination in the Southeast Region.
About Erik
Erik Moses is the President at Nashville Superspeedway, which is the largest concrete-only track in NASCAR.
Also notable is Erik made history in 2020 when he became the first African-American NASCAR track president.
Because of his successful leadership experience in the world of sports, events, and live entertainment, Erik was hired to revive and renovate the NASCAR track in Nashville— which had been closed since 2011.
One of Erik’s grand achievements from the outset was hosting the track’s first NASCAR Cup Series during Father’s Day weekend in June.
Erik started his career practicing law as an attorney, but then shifted gears to a variety of executive roles in sports and city government within the Washington D.C. area.
Most recently, Erik served as the founding president of the DC Defenders, a member of the XFL professional football league.
Prior to the XFL, Erik was SVP, Managing Director at Events DC, where he develop valuable partnerships with the NCAA, National Hockey League (NHL), MLB, PepsiCo and others.
He also served as the CEO of the DC Sports & Entertainment, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Small and Local Business Development, and as Senior Counsel at AOL.
Erik is a graduate of both the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Carolina and Duke University School of Law.
He is a member of the Washington Business Journal Leadership Trust — and was also named to its 2019 Power 100 list.
Erik has also served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management Program for over 10 years.
For much of his life and career, Erik has been the consummate “builder.”
Whether it is building relationships, business deals, or a legacy of inspiration — Erik is always striving to render the biggest impact on others.
And that includes building Nashville Superspeedway as not only the “must-attend” destination for NASCAR fans in middle Tennessee…
But also expanding the narrative of NASCAR within diverse communities around the world.
Erik’s Personal Theme Song “Public Service Announcement”, by Jay Z  
Thank you for listening! Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!

For this very special #FabulousOver40 Fireside Chat edition of the podcast, I am having a conversation with the phenomenal and MACKnificent...Mack Mckelvey — who is the Founder and CEO of SalientMG, a strategic marketing firm focused on accelerating market position for growth stage tech companies...

And also who I had the pleasure of featuring in the #FabulousOver40 Spotlight Series on LinkedIn!

During this episode, Mack and I chat about her professional journey, her passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, the importance of community, and the power of your "name."
 
About Mack Mack McKelvey is the Founder and CEO of SalientMG, a strategic marketing firm focused on accelerating market position for growth stage tech companies, and also the executive presence and visibility for their respective leaders.
SalientMG’s clients have included Rovio (Angry Birds), Etsy, Verizon, Starwood Hotels, UberMedia, Ogury, Caesars Entertainment, ExecOnline, Whitebox and Sparkfly.
A true catalyst of positive disruption at the highest echelon, Mack has been leading transformative teams throughout her 20+ career.
Prior to SalientMG, Mack was the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Millennial Media, from the company’s start-up stage through its successful 2012 IPO.
Before Millennial, Mack held senior business and marketing roles at SIRIUS XM, VeriSign, CGI, and British Telecom; she began her career at Lucent Technologies/AT&T.
Mack is also a consistent and relentless advocate for diversity, inclusion, and representation in business, technology, and advertising.
As a thought leader, she is a contributor to Fortune, Entrepreneur, MediaPost, Luxury Daily, CMO.com, and other business and trade publications on leadership, diversity, visibility, management, and marketing innovation.
Mack worked with Business Insider to create the 2016, 2015 and 2014 lists of “The Most Powerful Women in Mobile Advertising”.
In 2013 and 2012, Mack was named one of “The Most Powerful Women in Mobile Advertising” by Business Insider.
Mack is also a startup tech advisor, investor, speaker, and business/industry awards’ judge.
She serves on the Advisory Boards of technology startups, including Real Atom, a commercial real estate fintech startup based in DC.
Mack is also on the Board of Directors for Creative Spirit, a non-profit which seeks to create jobs for the intellectually and developmentally disabled, and she participates in ACP’s US Military Veterans Mentor Program.
 
Mack’s Personal Theme Song “Return of the Mack”, by Mark Morrison  
Thank you for listening! Thank you so very much for listening to the podcast. There are so many other shows out there, so the fact that you took the time to listen in really means a lot!