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.

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.

• “Made a Way, by Travis Greene

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!

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. 

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.

• “Control” by Janet Jackson

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!

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.

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.

• “Bigger” by Beyonce

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!