IMPACT MAKERS PODCAST – EPISODE 30

Well, hello there!

Did you miss me? You’re probably like, “miss who? New phone, who dis?” 😉

Well it’s your old friend, or in some cases, you’re new friend, and I’m back with a new episode of the Impact Makers podcast!

And just as before, my goal is to help you create maximum impact at work and in life through building a career that you love, and living a life that matters. If you’re a prior listener, then you know that this is actually Episode 30 of the Impact Makers podcast. And if you’re brand new – I’ve got great news for you – there are 30 fantastic episodes prior to this, that I’d encourage you to go back and listen to.

There are episodes on how I got my start as a professional speaker, tips and strategies for you to build effective relationships and a powerful personal brand, as well as interviews with some fantastic practitioners and entrepreneurs that you can learn from, who are using their expertise and influence to make a difference in the lives of others. If you haven’t already, please hit pause, and make sure that you’re subscribed to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform, so you don’t miss any episodes going forward!

Since I started podcasting in early 2018, I’ve heard from so many of you who have enjoyed the interviews, and the solo episodes, and I really appreciate your feedback. It makes me so happy to see someone posting online that they’re listening, or sharing their takeaways. It’s also been great to see people connecting with some of the guests on the show, and finding ways to help each other grow their careers or their businesses.

I do want to give a shout out to a few people, who are not only great supporters, but who also have not let me forget that they’re listeners of the podcast, and are waiting for new episodes. Your encouragement – and prodding – has really helped me to get back on track, and I appreciate you more than you know.

So, thanks to my brother – Dr. Jeffrey H. Johnson, who has always been the biggest Fan of this podcast. Jeff is a well-known and respected cardiologist in Knoxville Tennessee, and not only does he keep my 84-year-old mom up-to-date on the latest with my podcast, he’s probably shared it with more people than any other listener. I appreciate you so much for doing that Jeffrey!

I’d also like to thank Bruce Waller. Bruce is an author, speaker and relocation executive from Dallas Texas, and we originally connected online, because each week he shared his top takeaways from the Impact Makers podcast on social media. We’ve since met in person at several events, and he never fails to mention that he’s waiting for the Impact Makers podcast to come back soon. Thank you for the encouragement, Bruce, and good-natured prodding!

Another person who has not let me forget that I have a podcast that needs new episodes is Wendy Daily. Wendy is an HR and recruiting practitioner from Brookings, South Dakota, who also has a weekly podcast called The HR Social Hour Half-Hour Podcast, along with her co-host Jon Thurmond. Wendy listens to podcasts every day on her commute to Sioux Falls. I’ve driven that route, and while the corn and hay fields of South Dakota are lovely, it’s not super exciting. So, I’m happy to get the Impact Makers podcast back in her rotation!

Of course, there have been others, and I’ve definitely heard you. And I’ve missed being in your ear buds, in your car, or with you on the treadmill at the gym each week. I’m really excited to be back with you, and I look forward to being a part of your weekly personal development practice.

Quick Life Update

So, what’s been up with me while we were apart? Plenty of good things, and of course, some challenges along the way. In other words, life as a human. 🙂

2019 started off with a bang, and I landed my largest client to date, after almost 10 years of running my own business. Since then, we’ve partnered together on a number of awesome things this year, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.

In May, I knocked another state off of my goal to speak at an event in every state, by speaking at the Montana SHRM Conference. Montana had been at the top of my goal list for quite awhile, and thanks to the Montana conference team, we were able to make that happen. (Now, I’m looking at you Alaska!)

I’m also National Park lover, and avid road tripper, so I was also able to schedule a few extra days to drive through the lovely state of Montana, and to visit Glacier National Park. The park wasn’t fully open yet for the season, so of course I’ll have to go back, but I’m not sad about that. It was gorgeous!

On another note, some of you may know that I also have a second “day job” with my other company called DisruptHR, where I’m the Chief Excitement Officer. If you’re not familiar with DisruptHR, you can learn more at disrupthr.co. We help local organizers around the world to plan and organize events where people can share their ideas, and get their messages heard about the workplace and the future of work, by giving 5-minute Talks.

DisruptHR started right here in my city – Cincinnati  – in December 2013, and this year, we licensed our 157^th city! DisruptHR events have now been held in 37 countries, and in multiple languages around the world — AND over 4,300 DisruptHR Talks have been given. You can view and share any of those 4,000+ videos right from our website.

DisruptHR is truly a labor of love for me and my business partner – Chris Ostoich – and it’s been a real joy to see what it has become for so many people around the world. I’ll be sure to share more about DisruptHR in a future episode of this podcast.

On a not so good note, I had a horseback riding accident in July 2013 that absolutely knocked me off my game physically and mentally – for longer than I would have liked. I’ve been riding horses for over 50 years, and my equine partner Roxxy is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. However, this was a freak accident where she was spooked by something unseen, which ended up with me on the ground unconscious while she ran away without me.

I was extremely thankful to be able to get up and walk away – and thankful that she ran back to her stall in the barn. I tried to dismiss the idea that I seriously hurt for awhile, but after experiencing some issues with temporary vertigo, and considering the fact that I might have one or more broken bones, a visit to the emergency room was in order. Ultimately, it took several weeks after the head injury for me to be able to focus, and my body is still healing physically in some ways.

I’m extremely grateful to be on the mend, and also to have an adult son who likes to remind me that I’m not bouncing back the way I used to, because I’m “old.”. (Thanks, Andy.) You gotta love a kid who will always keep you humble. Too bad, he doesn’t remember where his inheritance may or may not come from.

Back to the good stuff, I expanded my team by hiring a Project Manager this summer, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with the work we’ve been able to accomplish thus far. Thanks to both Angie Kline, and also my podcast producer – Danny Ozmet from Emerald City Productions – Team McClure is stronger than ever, and we have some great things in store for the rest of this year – – and beyond.

More recently, I knocked the number one item off of my bucket list in September, with a dream vacation to Ireland, for the sole purpose of galloping a horse on a beach. Thanks to a Friesian cross mare – Honey – from Dingle Horseriding in Dingle, Ireland, I was able to accomplish this goal in grand fashion.

I had so much fun on a half day mountain, trail and beach ride. I can’t believe I waited so long to visit Ireland. I definitely plan to head back to the Emerald Isle, and no doubt horses will be involved once again!

Of course, I’ve also been doing my “day job” throughout the year, speaking at conferences and corporate events around the world. I’m truly blessed to be living my dream, while also living the hashtag “the speaker life”. If you’d like to keep up with some of my on-the-road shenanigans, and equine adventures, you can follow me sharing only the best parts of my life (like most everyone else) on Instagram at jennifer_mcclure.

I’m excited about heading to Panama City, Panama next week, to join a corporate client at their annual HR conference, so while I’m there, I hope to be able to sneak a peek at one of the seven wonders of the modern world – the Panama Canal!

So that’s what’s been up with me. Life is not only good, it’s great. And I’m extremely grateful.

What’s Next?

So, what’s next for the Impact Makers Podcast?

I’ve got good things planned for us here. While there will still be interviews from time to time with people who are making an impact with their lives and careers, I’ll also be doing more solo episodes, where I’ll be teaching about topics related to building your expertise, growing your relationships and influence, and communicating with impact.

I hope you’ll subscribe, and tune in each week. I truly appreciate you being a part of the Impact Makers community, and I wish you all of the success that you can stand throughout the next week!