Awaken The Awesome

Ep. 203 - Telling Your Captivating Story (w. Gerry Tam)

 
In an age where everyone is seemingly trying to stand out given the onslaught of trends, memes and clickbait that most of us are more than used to, how exactly does one manage to make themselves known in the sea of noise and distraction?
Marketing and self-promotion are not a bad thing. What we need to remember is that there are tactics and strategies that one can adopt which can effectively serve both your business as well as your personal brand.
Gerard Tam is the visionary founder and talented director of Gerard Media, a truly kick-ass video production and digital marketing strategy firm specializing in bold and impactful storytelling that truly gives business owners an unfair advantage over the competition.
It took a fateful event during his early years growing up in Hong Kong on a random day fueling his love of skateboarding that Gerry would find that initial spark. A spark that would not only leave a lasting impression, he'll tell you the story himself, but would anchor his belief that there is great responsibility in capturing a moment of video, however fleeting. 
We all have a story. Stories are meant to be told. And Gerry has made it his mission and purpose to tell these in a way that is not only authentic but resonating beyond just talking about one's product or service.
As a creator, storyteller and educator, his long-time expertise collaborating with a gallery of established brands has given him the knowledgeable insight to share his many lessons learned along the way.
On this episode, Gerry shares his origin story on how video made a lasting impact on his life, the power of a story, figuring out your guiding compass, Social Media Dos and Donts and so much more.
You can connect with Gerry via Instagram : @gerard.media or his official website : www.gerardmedia.io 
Enjoy.
#StayAwesome
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Ep. 202 - Lift Yourself Up (w. Dr. Huguens Jean)

It's a pleasure to welcome today's guest, Dr. Huguens Jean, on the program.
Born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Dr. Jean's journey is nothing short of inspiring.
After attending Institution Saint-Louis de Gonzague High School in Haiti, he eventually moved Stateside and attended Howard High School.
Both an exceptional athlete and academic, he has received numerous awards for his work on and off the field.
He received his Ph.D. and MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where he eventually became a track and field star and Hall of Famer during his undergraduate years.
As a doctoral student, he focused on applying computer vision in resource-limited environments for digitizing paper information. His thesis eventually converted to a patent that presents an approach capable of analyzing the content of digital images.
Dr. Jean is by all means an accomplished researcher. He has made significant contributions in the field of artificial intelligence. His industry experience includes NASA, Gameonstream, Booz Allen Hamilton, Google, and various technology startups in Silicon Valley.  At NASA, Huguens developed an unsupervised object extraction model using a three-dimensional time-of-flight camera and an intensity camera for autonomous space docking.
He is also an award-winning filmmaker and humanitarian. After the devastating 2010 Haitian earthquake, he filmed 'Lift Up', an intimate documentary that captured the story of two brothers honouring their grandfather’s promise. The film has won several national and international awards, including the 2011 Amsterdam Film Festival.
Currently working at Google as a machine learning engineer, his core work includes creating a hybrid video solution platform that can enable building large AI-centric video analytics applications at scale.
On this episode, Huguens shares his perspective on having a dedicated vision, surrounding yourself with the right people, memories of growing up in Haiti, as well insights on the impact of technology on our lives.
Enjoy.
#StayAwesome
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Website : https://www.awakentheawesome.ca
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Email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
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Google Podcasts : https://tinyurl.com/y57gshn4
 
 

Solo - One Shift

Sometimes, all it takes is one simple shift.
 
#StayAwesome #ATATribe
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
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Solo - Discipline sucks, but it works

No matter how much you don't feel like it, discipline will require you to show up and execute.
#StayAwesome #ATATribe
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
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Solo - 3 steps to failure (& how to avoid them)

Success, like its counterpart, is the result of simple steps.
#StayAwesome #ATATribe
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Ep. 201 - On Faith, courage and the will to serve - w. Pastor Michael Winfrey

Asd transparent as I've been, I always shied away from bring up Religion on this show.
Reason being it is such a hot button issue, I'd basically decided it was going to be one the few topics I would avoid bringing up.
But something happened this year - been dealing with a lot of particular issues, from my personal health, to family emergencies, to professional shifts and everything in between.
Overwhelm has really done a number on me on many fronts.
Found myself doing a lot of soul searching of sorts and it is in conversation with my good friend Phil, that the subject of our religious upbringing came up as we were reminiscing about growing up in Haiti and how church was an non-negotiable.
In my admitting that I was feeling a bit "lost" in how I, as husband and father, was leading and caring my family, he suggested and invited me to participate in the Faithful Men's Fellowship bible study group. 
In a sense of vulnerability and willingness to open my heart to reconnecting with my faith, I got on the Zoom call and got acquainted with a group of well-meaning, like-minded, incredibly open-hearted men who welcomed me with respect, truth and immense compassion.
As the leader and main speaker of the group, Pastor Michael Winfrey caught my eye as a no-holds barred, casual, insightful voice of wisdom and guidance that speaks to us from a place of experience and raw truth.
Which is why I wanted to have him on the show, as my first impression was such a resonating one. Felt like showing some gratitude and letting you guys know a bit more about the group and mission.
You can connect with Pastor Mike on Facebook or ...you're welcome to join the group for the weekly Saturday prayer call. Details below :
 
#StayAwesome
 
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Connect with us //
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Email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
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Google Podcasts : https://tinyurl.com/y57gshn4

Solo - Live Your Life By Design

Oftentimes, we think things 'JUST' happen.
I don't subscribe to that.
Particular circumstances not withstanding, you DO have the ability to forge the outcome you seek.
There's a process to everything.
Don't train? You will struggle.
Train well? You will reap the benefits.
Leave things up to chance. Watch The Universe do its thing.
Stay focused.
Stay disciplined.
And when things occasionally go sideways - learn and adjust accordingly.
#StayAwesome #ATATribe
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Email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
Apple Podcasts : https://apple.co/3bcWAWX
Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3rZOA1B
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Ep. 200 - Tell The True Story (w. Tanguy Exumé)

 
 
 
Little know fact - when I started numbering these episodes, I had this grand vision that I would always use three digits to play a mind-trick on myself and aim for as many episodes as possible....999 is still quite a ways off ...but here we are...episode 200.
 
It is such an incredible honour to be able to share today's episode with you all. I thought it'd be a good opportunity to go back to the basics and bring on someone who is not only a good friend and avid supporter of the show, but is always a genuine treat to have on given his consistently thought-provoking insights and terrific energy. 
 
Tanguy Exumé is an individual you are immensely fortunate to know. And if he's someone you're lucky enough to call a 'brother', you've got it made.
 
Indeed, his incredible heart beats to the tune of an uncommon spirit. One whose singular journey has been shaped by circumstances, adventures, discoveries, experiences, and many teachings.
 
A born storyteller, and a damn good one at that, Tanguy has continuously demonstrated how leaning into one's gift can reveal so much about ourselves : educator, teacher, author, spoken-word artist, poet...and more recently, a seasoned podcaster.
 
Through his impressive body of work, and as the host of the impactful Teach Reach podcast, a podcast exploring human connections through shared stories, Tanguy carry us through a journey of emotion and truth from which we cannot walk away unaffected. He aims to bring us into his world, through journeys of laughter, leisure, longings, and sometimes great sorrow. And we can't help but thank him for it. 
 
On this candid and heartfelt conversation between longtime friends, Tanguy and I touch on the concepts on vulnerability and identity, finding one's place in the world, having to explore one's trauma by way of circumstance and duty, as well as trade podcasting war stories...
 
A solemn and singular exchange which I do hope you'll enjoy.
 
 
You can connect with Tanguy via Instagram.
 
Be sure to Subscribe, rate and review Tanguy's incredible Teach Reach podcast . Available on all podcast platforms.
 
Enjoy
 
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Connect with us //
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Email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
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Google Podcasts : https://tinyurl.com/y57gshn4

Solo - Your priorities...aren’t. #RealTalk

How a trip to the ER with my son suffering a severe allergic reaction made me realize how what we say matters to us actually doesn't - as  what we do often does not align with what we say when it comes to our goals.
Not for the weak.
#StayAwesome #ATATribe
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Email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
Apple Podcasts : https://apple.co/3bcWAWX
Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3rZOA1B
Amazon(Alexa) : https://tinyurl.com/enk2dkk4
Google Podcasts : https://tinyurl.com/y57gshn4

Ep. 199 - Live Genuinely (w. Julian Bell)

 
 
I came across Julian Bell's body of work through a Reel that was recommended on my Instagram feed.
 
Couldn't quite place it at the time, but as I'm recording this, I realize that what drew me, even on such a small screen, was this sense of genuine playfulness that he had about him.
 
I know that Reels are meant to catch our eye and give us that small second of dopamine and giggles, but Julian's content has that differentiating factor that sets it apart from all the junk. His is a particular mix of engaging playfulness and thoughtful engagement that might make you overlook what a truly hard worker you're looking at.  
 
Even though I have long since put professional photography behind me, I always keep these masterful handlers of the visual art in high esteem.  Julian Bell is an incredibly talented creative and that goes without saying. 
 
Being a skilled filmmaker, photographer as well as a  prolific content creator, Julian's storytelling skills and eye for detail have been effectively chiseled in order for his content to answer the needs of  his community.
 
Even with an ever increasing Social Media following, he manages to maintain a level head through it all, despite his success.
From touching words of encouragement, to gear tips, to reminding us the importance of taking a break, Julian is one of those engaging souls whose warmth and approachability are always welcome.
 
On this episode, I sit down with Julian to talk about his beginnings, going full-time as filmmaker and content creator, the importance of play, tapping into your wild ideas, experimentation...and even get his insights on his favourite Anime and Manga.
 
You can connect with Julian via Instagram.
 
For bookings and business inquiries, visit his official website (https://www.mrniceguyfilms.com/).
 
Enjoy
 
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Connect with us //
Website : https://www.awakentheawesome.ca
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/awakentheawesome
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/atapodcast
Telegram : https://t.me/atapodcast
Email : awakentheawesome@gmail.com
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Our full back catalog of episodes is also available on your favourite platforms :
Apple Podcasts : https://apple.co/3bcWAWX
Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3rZOA1B
Amazon(Alexa) : https://tinyurl.com/enk2dkk4
Google Podcasts : https://tinyurl.com/y57gshn4