Ep 8 What's Next

The Unlikely Gifts Podcast takes a fun turn as host Diane M. Simard prepares to launch her next book, which has a working title of Heal Forward:  Impact Leadership Beyond Adversity.

Listen in as both she and Larry provide an update of their projects and plans for the remainder of 2023, including a surprise announcement about what comes next . . .

Diane's Links
Personal website
Facebook
LinkedIn (personal)
LinkedIn (Unlikely Gift Productions) 
Diane's book

Larry's Links
Larry's Sorta Fun Stories podcast
Collage Travel Radio

Transcript

Diane M. Simard: 0:02

Finally, I had time to map out and pursue my bucket list, reflecting on a life filled with challenges, successes, and so many unlikely gifts. Hi, and welcome to episode eight of the Unlikely Gifts Podcast. I'm your host, Diane M. Samard, and along with me is our producer and editor, Larry King.

SPEAKER_00: 0:31

Hey, it is so good to be back here with you on Unlikely Gifts.

Diane M. Simard: 0:36

Indeed. Well, before we get to this month's topic, I have been feeling melancholy lately, so I decided to get caught up on stories from your personal podcast called Larry's Sort of Fun Stories. And I've got to say you really capture the essence of life's victories and tragedies, which makes me wonder what helps you get it through it all.

SPEAKER_00: 0:55

Well, you know, there's a lot of things, but family, friends, and faith are the essence of my life. I've had friends, you know, friends come and go in different seasons. And those friends and those time frames really help you grow and stay focused. The family, my family is kind of dissipated because they've left me. I'm sitting here in Florida and my family's out west where you live. But, you know, when my son says goodbye or something like that, he says, Dad, I love you. You can't beat that. You cannot beat that. And the other thing is faith. If it weren't for my faith in Jesus, I wouldn't be anywhere. You know, faith is like trust, insurance, confidence in God. That's what Larry's sort of fun stories is about, having faith, but yet knowing what's happened in my life. So it's faith, family, and friends that gets me through life.

Diane M. Simard: 1:52

Well, very eloquently stated. Now I understand that over the past several months you've made some significant lifestyle changes, too. Please share what that's about and where you're at today.

SPEAKER_00: 2:04

Well, I think it was even on an unlikely gifts podcast that I said, I gotta lose weight. I I I'm this is like four months ago, I think. I was really overweight, sluggish. I went to the doctor, I can't breathe. I oh, I was I was breathing differently, and things like that, but I knew I needed to lose weight. So I made that decision. And so what I did was I'm committed to exercising like six times a week, and then I'm on a diet, and we can plug Nutrisystem for that because nutrisystem is what I'm on. I it it's good food, I eat three to five times a day, and I feel good, I just don't overeat, and I'm trying to really make it my lifestyle change. Also, alcohol never was a real problem, but you know, one or two beers a night or a glass of wine a night was like too much. So now maybe on the weekend I might have a beer, I might have a glass of wine, but I'm enjoying life. I am feeling so much better. And you know, you can see me, you can see me on the monitor that I look even better. And then so I've lost about 30 pounds, the bottom line.

Diane M. Simard: 3:19

Well, that's I'm so happy for you, Larry. And you do look fantastic, and congratulations! And those lifestyle changes really do make a huge difference. So, in addition to focusing on a healthy lifestyle, I know you're also involved with several other projects, including Collage Travel Radio, which has a great backstory. Would you please tell us about that?

SPEAKER_00: 3:39

Well, you know, when you were a child, when you were a youngster, you probably had an AM radio, and that was playing music for you, right? AM playing the music from from Kozad, Nebraska, wherever you were. AM Radio had the had the music. Then came FM radio, a little better sound. But today, everybody listens to streaming. Streaming audio can be heard on your computer, on your iPad, or your phone wherever you are. So Collage Travel Radio is streaming 24 hours a day on the internet. So you could reach us uh anywhere you are. We don't have to have a tower, we don't have to have a transmitter. We just we're out there 24-7. We play music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Uh, we give travel tips, and and the great thing is, I'm here in Central Florida, which happens to be the vacation capital of the world. So we have a lot of good information. We focus on travel, we focus on music, and we have people telling their different stories of how they like like to go, where they like to go, what they like to do, where they've been. And if you need a travel tip, we give them every hour. So our station not only reaches out to the independent traveler, but also to travel advisors planning their client travel arrangements. And as I said, we are here in the vacation capital of the world, and that's collagetravel radio.com. Hey, enough about me. What's happening with you?

Diane M. Simard: 5:18

Oh, thank you. Well, that was so helpful, and I've listened to Collage Travel Radio, and it's great, and the tips are fantastic. So, and you've been doing this for several decades, right?

SPEAKER_00: 5:27

Well, yeah. When I was a kid, I wanted to be Johnny Carson, you know. And I never never quite made Johnny Carson. Well, actually, I wanted to be Jack Parr, but you don't even know who Jack Parr is. So, Johnny Carson, and uh so I wanted to be in radio, and I've had a radio station in the past and all that. But uh today it's so much easier and it's so much simpler, but we're worldwide on the internet because we're collagetravelradio.com.

Diane M. Simard: 5:54

Ah, that's fantastic. Well, thank you. As you know, ever since we launched this Unlikely Gifts podcast last fall, you and I have shared many stories, all based on my Middle-aged Moxie monthly blog, which is free, by the way, for anyone who signs up at DianeMsimar.com. But I think it's time for an update, a check-in, if you will, on what you and I have in store for the rest of this year in terms of our messaging and future projects. I've got some big announcements, and I'm sure you do too.

SPEAKER_00: 6:23

Well, that's funny. You should mention it. I have some news, but let's begin with you. And the question that everyone has been asking, when is your next book coming out?

Diane M. Simard: 6:36

Well, thank you so much. And uh, it has been a while, it's been four years, and I just want to extend my thanks to the many followers who have posed that question to me and also to you. So, drum roll, please. My next book is written and will be released early this fall.

SPEAKER_00: 6:55

Congratulations! Let's hear all about it.

Diane M. Simard: 6:58

Well, thank you. It has a working title of Heal Forward: Impact Leadership Beyond Adversity, and it's a quick 10-chapter read about the business and life principles that form the foundation of who I am.

SPEAKER_00: 7:10

You know, it sounds to me like someone's been spending a lot of time lately getting to know herself better.

Diane M. Simard: 7:17

Boy, have I. And you know, at age 57, it was time. I participated in a mastermind group last year that allowed me to do an intensive dive into who and why I am, my essence, my passions, and my identity. And in the midst of that, I got laid off from a job I'd had for 14 years, which is one of the reasons I launched this podcast. Finally, I had time to map out and pursue my bucket list, reflecting on a life filled with challenges, successes, and so many unlikely gifts.

SPEAKER_00: 7:49

So you're now crafting uh those unlikely gifts into stories, including those in the Unlikely Gifts podcast, your blog, and your next book, correct? Exactly. Speaking of the book, tell us more. You know, you mentioned that the book is not going to be very long.

Diane M. Simard: 8:06

Uh, that's correct. Only ten chapters, and each chapter focuses on one of the principles about how I live my life. The overall theme is about how I believe those I refer to as impact leaders overcome life's adversities by healing forward. Believe me, there are some amazing stories about overcoming adversity.

SPEAKER_00: 8:25

So, what's an impact leader and how does one heal themselves forward?

Diane M. Simard: 8:31

An impact leader listens more than they speak, they put others' needs above their own, they do what they say they're going to do, they're reliable, they hold themselves and others accountable, they're authentic, and they're approachable. What I discovered while doing research for this next book is that the impact leaders I admire most overcame unique obstacles in their life, both personal and business. They grew as individuals and leaders because they developed plans to address obstacles, which included healing from traumatizing events that to some seemed hopeless. Their ability to heal by channeling their energies to create something impactful is what I call healing forward.

SPEAKER_00: 9:12

Now that sounds powerful. It seems like we could all benefit from defining what principles drive us.

Diane M. Simard: 9:20

Well, I have to be honest, Larry. This project to define who and why I am has given me a sense of clarity I have never felt before. And what's even more bizarre is I set out to define my own principles as a way to showcase that I could ghostwrite books of principles for business executives who are too busy to write their own.

SPEAKER_00: 9:38

Wow, you you you can still do that, couldn't you?

Diane M. Simard: 9:40

Oh, absolutely. I definitely hope to do that. In addition, I'll be offering downloadable workbooks and resources from my website to anyone who wants to define their own principles to do just that. The unique process I followed to arrive at my principles will soon be available to everyone.

SPEAKER_00: 9:58

So how can we learn even more about your new book before it's released?

Diane M. Simard: 10:02

Well, thank you for that perfect segue into my other big announcement. That is, the next 10 episodes of the Unlikely Gifts podcast will be a limited-run series called, and get this, Monday Afternoon Club with Diane and Amy. I was introduced to my good friend and fellow firecracker, Amy Fairchild, when I was a guest on her fabulous podcast, The Encourage Project. We had spontaneous combustion light chemistry, and we vowed to one day collaborate on a project. And this is that project. And Larry, you'll still be a part of this series, but Amy and I will discuss one of my ten principles per episode. She'll ask me the questions and I'll quiz her about her own experiences as a project management consultant, a professional public speaker, and a certified life and success coach. She's a professional musician too, so it should be lots of fun.

SPEAKER_00: 10:53

Well, that sounds great, but why are you calling it Monday Afternoon Club with Diane and Amy?

Diane M. Simard: 10:59

Ah, yes. Well, that comes from my college days when I worked as an administrative assistant in an insurance office for what was then Bankers Life Nebraska in Kearney, Nebraska. One of my coworkers and I started a tradition of making Monday after work the night we would go out for happy hour. It was actually a pretty irresponsible idea, but I always like the name. Ah, very good. Although the tone of my book is reflective and educational, I'm quite sure Amy and I will be lighthearted and hopefully entertaining.

SPEAKER_00: 11:39

Well, what do you got planned once the book comes out?

Diane M. Simard: 11:42

Well, as authors know, that's when the work really begins. As you can probably imagine, the tough part about launching a new book is not writing it, it's marketing it. I'm lining up speaking engagements where I'll talk about my principles, I'm scheduling appearances on other podcasts where I'll be a guest, and corresponding with several companies and organizations that are interested in offering up copies of my book to their employees, clients, and constituents as gifts, especially for the upcoming holiday season.

SPEAKER_00: 12:10

Well, that's really cool. If someone's interested in having you speak to their group or talk to you about buying your book on bulk, how can they get in touch with you?

Diane M. Simard: 12:21

Oh, I'd love that. So just simply go to my website, which is DianeMsimard.com and click on the contact tab, and that'll bring up a form that they can fill out that will be emailed straight to me.

SPEAKER_00: 12:34

Well, what if someone wants to be kept in the loop when your book comes out and so they can go purchase it as well?

Diane M. Simard: 12:40

So the best way to do that is to sign up for my monthly newsletter, which is called the Unlikely Gifts Insider, that comes to your email inbox on the second Sunday of each month. I'll be sharing updates on when and where to purchase the book, plus details about speaking appearances. The insider also provides information about mental health resources for cancer, plus I give updates on the other writing projects I'm pursuing. I should also mention that when you sign up for my free newsletter, you're also signing up to receive my free monthly blog called Middle Age Moxie, and that's where I share my observations about middle age.

SPEAKER_00: 13:14

Well, you know, I've been receiving both the blog and newsletter for over a year now, and I find them to be very timely, thought-provoking, and very humorous.

Diane M. Simard: 13:25

Well, thank you so much. You can also find me on Facebook and LinkedIn, but I share my best content with those who follow me directly by signing up on my website, which again is DianeMsimard.com.

SPEAKER_00: 13:37

You are really taking this unlikely gifts concept to a higher level. I'm assuming that you've even got more books planned.

Diane M. Simard: 13:46

Uh, well, yes, I do. Actually, about eight of them, if you can believe that. But for now, I'm taking it just one step at a time.

SPEAKER_00: 13:53

Well, that makes sense. Well, folks, uh, thanks for listening today. It's been my honor to be a part of this Unlikely Gifts project.

Diane M. Simard: 14:01

And I'm grateful to you, Larry, for lending your production and editing capabilities to make the Unlikely Gifts podcast possible. Are there any final thoughts you'd like to share about what's in store for you in the near future?

SPEAKER_00: 14:13

Well, uh actually, I have one other thought that I need to say, and that would be how do you spell your name? Because you keep saying Diam Sumard, Diane M. Simard. How do we spell that so we can get it right on the internet?

Diane M. Simard: 14:26

Absolutely. Happy to do that. Sure, it's D-I-A-N-E M S I M A R D.

SPEAKER_00: 14:34

Great, thanks.

Diane M. Simard: 14:36

So before I go, please be sure to listen to Larry's Sort of Fun Stories podcast and listen for him on Collage Travel Radio. And here's one more reminder that if you'd like to connect with me on social media, you can find me at Diane M. Sammard on Facebook or LinkedIn, or send me an email through the contact tab on my website, DianeMSumard.com. Of course, we always appreciate your thoughts and comments about the Unlikely Gifts podcast that you can leave on our podcast page. In closing, please remember to nurture your mental health and your physical health, and that there is an unlikely gift in every circumstance. I'm Diane M. Sammard, and this is the Unlikely Gifts Podcast.