"You are who Google says you are." - Anouk Pappers

In a world where first impressions increasingly happen online, understanding how to craft your personal brand has never been more crucial. On this episode of the "Awake in the Network" podcast, we welcome brand anthropologist and online presence architect Anouk Pappers, who shared her fascinating journey and powerful insights on personal branding.

Who is Anouk Pappers?

Born and raised in Amsterdam, Anouk's innate curiosity about different cultures led her to study anthropology. Since 2002, she has combined her anthropological background with branding expertise as CEO of Signitt and founder of CoolBrands People

Her career has taken her from Amsterdam to the south of France, Dubai, Brazil, New York, and now Miami—each move orchestrated through meaningful network connections that exemplify the podcast's theme of "destiny moments" happening through network awareness.

Around the World in 80 Brands

Anouk's passion for storytelling and cultural understanding led her to create "Around the World in 80 Brands," a storytelling expedition on which she traveled globally and interviewed over 900 CEOs and CMOs. These experiences shaped her understanding of what she calls "lifestyle nations"—communities of like-minded individuals who share values regardless of geographical location.

The Power of Future-Focused Branding

What sets Anouk's approach apart is her emphasis on future-focused personal branding. Rather than dwelling on past accomplishments, she encourages executives to articulate where they want to go clearly:

"The most important thing is always to have an idea of what your next goal is. It's about being future-focused... Most people talk about where they lived, what they did, where they worked, where they studied... but I think we should talk about where we want to go."

This forward-looking approach creates opportunities for meaningful connections, as others can help you reach your goals when they understand your direction.

Building Your Online Presence

In today's digital world, Anouk emphasizes that "you are who Google says you are." She shared three revealing questions she asks audiences:

1. Did you Google yourself lately? (Only about 1/3 of people do)
2. Do you Google others? (Almost everyone does)
3. What does this disconnect mean for your personal brand?

Anouk's work helps executives bridge this gap by developing online presences that authentically represent who they are and where they're headed. This isn't just about social media—it's about creating a cohesive narrative across all digital touchpoints that supports your goals.

The Red Brand

One delightful insight into Anouk's branding strategy is her deliberate use of the color red. Years ago, she found herself in a room full of grey and blue suits, so she chose red as her signature color to stand out. Today, it's become her "smashable brand"—a visual element so distinctive that even a small piece of it is immediately recognizable as hers.

Connect with Anouk

Ready to build your own powerful personal brand? Connect with Anouk Pappers on LinkedIn or visit AnoukPappers.com to learn more about her work with Signet Personal Branding.

Listen to the full episode of this podcast featuring Anouk Pappers to discover how being "awake in your network" can create destiny moments in your career and life.

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From the projects of Cabrini Green to becoming the first Black woman to lead the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, Kim Foxx's extraordinary journey is a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and authenticity.

JOIN HOSTS BILLY DEXTER AND MELISSA G. WILSON AS THEY EXPLORE:

• How growing up in Chicago's Cabrini Green shaped Kim's identity and fueled her determination
• The profound impact of meeting her first lawyer—a moment that changed the trajectory of her life
• Her groundbreaking achievements in criminal justice reform, including over 250 overturned wrongful convictions
• The challenges of navigating high-profile cases and media scrutiny while staying true to her values
• Kim's current journey embracing what she calls "the privilege of whimsy"—discovering dreams and possibilities beyond survival

"I firmly believe now in life that everything happens for you, not to you." - Kim Foxx

This robust conversation goes far beyond headlines to reveal how authentic connections can transform lives and communities. Kim's eloquent storytelling and Billy's shared understanding of overcoming incredible odds create a compelling dialogue about representation, possibility, and the power of seeing yourself in unexpected places.

Listen now to discover how someone from the margins can rise to create meaningful change while never forgetting where they came from.

Brought to you by NetWorlding Publishing: Books and more that make the world better.

"Until next time, everybody stay awake in the network where destiny really does happen."

Share your unique Awake-in-the-Network experience—you might be our next guest!

#AwakeInTheNetwork #KimFoxx #PrivilegeOfWhimsy #WhereDestinyHappens

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

Join us as we interview Michelle Rathman. Michelle founded Impact! Communications, Inc., in 1989. For over 30 years, Impact! has provided a broad range of strategic advisory, decision support, communications, and creative solutions to healthcare organizations, including urban and rural hospitals, health clinics, and community health centers.

Michelle and her team bring experience and expertise that has helped several rural hospitals gain public support to invest millions into much-needed facility improvements while designing and implementing patient and staff recruitment and retention programs. Beyond bricks and mortar, Impact! is focused on helping rural hospitals and health organizations reverse their outmigration, increase utilization of local care, and position rural hospitals and health systems to thrive through effective community engagement and partnerships.

Michelle is also a long-standing member of the National Rural Health Association, including serving on its Policy Congress, and has worked with the National Rural Health Resource Center, National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network, and for eight years, worked with the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health to help transform National Rural Health Day from a moment to a movement.

Finally, Michelle is also a passionate podcaster, launching The Rural Impact in 2023 - where she works to connect the dots between policy and rural everything.

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

Steve P. Reese is a trailblazer on a mission to transform how we approach health and success—one night’s sleep at a time.

With nearly three decades in sports technology, personal battles with sleep challenges, experiencing domestic violence as a child, and groundbreaking work with the Phoenix Suns, Steve brings a unique blend of humor, data, and heartfelt storytelling to the table.

He highlights alarming statistics on sleep deprivation—from increased cancer risks to metabolic disturbances—while championing studies that reveal how quality sleep fuels better decisions, healthier lives, and even weight loss. As he leads a cultural revolution in organizational wellness, Steve invites us to reimagine our nights as the key to unlocking our full potential.

In his own words, "Imagine a world where every night’s sleep unlocks a new level of potential—a world where champions aren’t just defined by their performance on the court but by the simple choices they make in their personal lives. While at the Phoenix Suns, I lead a revolution in organizational culture, championing health, wellness, and mental fitness. During this podcast, I would like to explore how sleep science is transforming our health and the very culture of success."

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

In this enlightening episode of "Awake in the Network," hosts Billy Dexter and Melissa G. Wilson sit down with healthcare innovator and author Robert Slayton to explore the intersection of healthcare reform and human wellness. From his early days in rural Ohio, learning the value of community to becoming a leading voice in healthcare supply chain management, Slayton shares how he's helping companies reclaim trapped profits while creating healthier, happier workplaces for employees.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as he opens up about his journey into men's mental health advocacy, sparked by personal challenges that led to creating resources for men seeking emotional support. Slayton, author of "Next Generation Healthcare" and "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Health Insurance," offers practical insights on navigating healthcare costs, advocating for yourself at doctor's appointments, and the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world. This episode masterfully weaves healthcare innovation, personal growth, and the vital importance of building supportive communities, concluding with a heartfelt call to prioritize genuine human connection over digital interactions.

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

Cheryl Stokes

Cheryl is the CEO of CNEXT, a leadership development and executive networking company that helps connect, develop and advance high-impact leaders. Before taking on her CEO role, Cheryl was a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles, consulting in the firm’s Leadership Development, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Culture Shaping practices.

Before joining Heidrick & Struggles, Cheryl was the regional managing director for Duke Corporate Education’s European operations. Under her leadership, the region enjoyed its strongest growth and profitability in Duke CE history. Previously, Cheryl was the director of organization capability for The Coca-Cola Company, where she worked with the company and the bottling system across the US, Europe, Russia, Latin America, and the Philippines. Cheryl’s wide-ranging career experience also includes work as a Senior Metallurgical and Process Engineer at Alcoa and in Electrical and Product Engineering at General Motors.

Cheryl was named one of the 25 Influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal in March 2020 and was named one of Paradigm for Parity’s Women on the Rise in August 2020. She is currently on the Executive Leadership Team for the American Heart Association’s Triangle-area Go Red for Women Initiative and was named the 2022 Woman of Impact for the Triangle area.

Cheryl earned dual Master’s degrees in Management and Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as part of the Leaders for Global Operations Program and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from GMI Engineering & Management Institute (formerly General Motors Institute, now Kettering).

 "Your career path is fascinating - from engineering at GM and Alcoa to leadership development. How did your technical background shape your approach to developing leaders, and what insights from engineering still influence your work today?"

 "CNEXT focuses on high-impact leaders. Based on your experience across multiple industries and continents, what leadership qualities have you found to be most crucial for driving meaningful organizational change in today's complex business environment?"

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

Join us for a transformative episode of the Awake in the Network Pod featuring Barb Burgess, founder of Corluma and former COO of the Wright Foundation. With over three decades of experience transforming organizations and leaders, Barb shares her unique perspective on leadership that turns traditional performance-based approaches on their head.

"Leadership is like being an archeologist," Barb reveals in this enlightening discussion. "You're just going to see what's there, which takes all the pressure off. I don't have to go perform, I don't have to do anything better than anybody else. I get to dig and see."

Drawing from her extensive experience as a corporate consultant, executive coach, and author of "Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations," Barb challenges conventional wisdom about professional development and career transitions. She shares how letting go of the need for everything to "make sense" led to opportunities and connections that would have been impossible through traditional strategic planning.

In this milestone 50th episode, you'll discover:

• Why heart-led decision making often outperforms logical planning
• How removing the pressure for outcomes can lead to richer results
• The unexpected power of connections that "don't have to make sense"
• Why your heart, not your mind, might be your best career counselor

As the creator of the one-woman show "The Extraordinary Experience of Being Ordinary" and a leader who has guided countless executives through transformative change, Barb brings both vulnerability and practical wisdom to this conversation.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a leader who has helped shape organizations from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange to numerous Fortune 500 companies. Whether you're navigating a career transition, leading a team, or seeking a fresh perspective on professional growth, this episode offers insights that challenge conventional wisdom and open new possibilities.

Listen now to episode 50 of the Awake Network Pod and discover why sometimes the most powerful strategy is simply being willing to dig deep and see what emerges.

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/

Join us for an extraordinary end-of-year conversation that marks two remarkable years of "Awake in the Network" - where destiny truly happens. In this intimate episode, your hosts Billy Dexter and Melissa G Wilson welcome our behind-the-scenes genius, producer John St. Augustine (former Oprah Radio producer), into a candid conversation that began at Chicago's exclusive Clayton club on a freezing December evening.

What starts as a casual meetup in a hidden Chicago gem transforms into a profound discussion about life's invisible threads of connection, featuring John's incredible journey from a near-fatal electrocution that left him clinically dead for two minutes to discovering his true purpose. "My life's gone in a 190 - not even a 180," John reveals, sharing how brushes with death transformed his perspective on life's urgency and meaning.

Billy Dexter, known for his "Billy-isms" and wisdom about walking in and out of networks, shares why he orchestrated this in-person gathering: "With the invention of technology... there's nothing like sitting across the table from each other." His insight into authentic connection resonates throughout this special episode.

As we reflect on two years of powerful conversations and look toward 2025, this episode embodies everything our show stands for - the magic that happens when we're truly awake in our networks, the power of authentic connection, and the extraordinary stories that emerge when we slow down enough to listen.

From Brené Brown's wisdom on connection to life-altering moments that reshape our paths, this conversation weaves together the essence of what makes our human connections so powerful and mysterious. Whether you're a long-time listener or discovering us for the first time, this episode offers a perfect glimpse into why staying "awake in the network" can transform your life in unexpected ways.

Join us for this special end-of-year episode that proves when we're truly present in our networks, destiny indeed happens.

To share your own "Awake in the Network" story or connect with us, find us on LinkedIn because your story might be the next one we share.

Listen now where three paths converge to reveal the magic of staying awake in the network where destiny happens.

Connect with Billy @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billydexter/
Connect with Melissa @ - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagwilson/
Connect with John @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-st-augustine-1b3192/