In this inspiring episode of Dream Big with Big Dreamers, host Donna Serdula speaks with Dr. Robyn Graham—author, speaker, podcast host, and founder of the Purpose to Results Method. Robyn brings a unique blend of science, strategy, and soul to help women in leadership (and their families) navigate anxiety, burnout, and overwhelm—while still showing up powerfully in their lives and careers.

🎯 In this conversation, you’ll learn:

Why anxiety is rising—and how to regulate your nervous system in a hyper-connected world

The #1 mindset shift high-achievers can make to move from fear to clarity

How to align your goals with your values and purpose for sustainable results

Why faith, stillness, and connection are essential leadership tools

A simple 3-word mantra—Gratitude. Curiosity. Joy.—that can transform your mindset today

Whether you're leading a team, growing a business, or raising a family, Robyn’s wisdom offers practical tools and heartfelt encouragement for building a life that’s both high-achieving and heart-aligned.

📌 Topics Covered: Anxiety in high achievers, emotional regulation, parenting with purpose, personal reinvention, values-based leadership, women in business, nervous system support, spiritual resilience, authenticity

Special Guest: Dr. Robyn Graham.

With 20+ years of experience in professional services and consulting, Brian shares the practical and deeply human approach that’s guided his career — from early mentorship in boutique consulting firms to leading high-performing teams at scale.

💡 In this conversation, you'll learn:

Why authenticity and extreme candor are the foundation of high-trust leadership

How to diagnose and fix underperforming teams and operations without boiling the ocean

The power of listening, transparency, and modeling collaboration

How Brian builds engagement—reaching a 97% employee engagement rate

What his personal brand of leadership looks like in action

Whether you're leading a team, pivoting your organization, or working on your own leadership journey, Brian’s insights offer a clear, values-driven roadmap for real impact.

📌 Topics: Organizational turnaround, executive leadership, people-first strategy, employee engagement, culture transformation, performance improvement

Special Guest: Brian Bark.

0:00 Rich Deakman
00:11 Introduction and Welcoming Rich
00:46 Rich's Background and Company Overview
01:35 The Value of External Recruiters
03:08 Building Long-Term Relationships
06:10 Rich's Origin Story
08:12 The Evolution of Recruiting
18:40 Ensuring LinkedIn and Resume Consistency
20:48 The Importance of Interview Preparation
22:26 Effective Interview Closing Techniques
23:14 The Two-Way Street of Interviews
28:27 Follow-Up Strategies Post-Interview
33:03 Building Relationships with Recruiters
34:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Special Guest: Rich Deakmann.

Tia shares her personal journey from a diverse upbringing in Montana to her career in talent acquisition, highlighting the importance of cognitive diversity in building innovative and inclusive workforces. Learn how LinkTech's Diversity Unboxed initiative is reshaping the recruiting landscape and why a deeper understanding of candidates' backgrounds leads to better matches for companies and job seekers alike.

Topics Covered:

• Introduction to LinkTech and its mission
• The concept of cognitive diversity and its importance
• Tia Kleckner's personal background and inspiration
• The challenges and rewards of diversity hiring
• Practical advice for job seekers in a competitive market
• The impact of AI on recruiting and the importance of human connection

Connect with Us:

Visit LinkTech: www.thelinktech.com
Connect with Tia Kleckner on LinkedIn: Tia Kleckner's LinkedIn

Follow Donna Serdula: Donna Serdula's LinkedIn

Subscribe for More:
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations and career growth tips. Hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest episodes.

Special Guest: Tia Kleckner.

Links:

• The LinkTech: Diversity Unboxed — At LinkTech we believe that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) is not a mere checkbox but a dynamic journey. Our approach is rooted in understanding the what and, more importantly, the why behind your DEIB initiatives. By doing so, we connect you with talent that aligns with your organization’s unique cognitive diversity needs, giving you the competitive edge you seek.
• LinkTech's LinkedIn Company Page
• Tia Kleckner's LinkedIn Profile

Special Guest: Lynn Miller.

Links:

• Lead From Within — Unlock the Secrets to Success with Insights from Visionary Leaders In Lead from Within: Entrepreneurs Share Proven Traits for Success, you'll embark on an extraordinary journey through the minds of accomplished leaders who have redefined the very essence of entrepreneurship. This thought-provoking anthology brings together a diverse group of trailblazers from various sectors, offering their invaluable wisdom and time-tested principles to guide you on your own path to success. Drawing on the collective experiences of these visionary entrepreneurs, "Lead from Within" reveals the remarkable traits and strategies that set them apart. From technology innovators to social change agents, each contributor shares their unique insights into leadership, resilience, innovation, and more. You'll discover the common threads that unite these extraordinary individuals and the secrets behind their enduring success. Readers will discover: Diverse Perspectives: Explore the multifaceted world of entrepreneurship through the eyes of leaders from technology, healthcare, finance, and beyond. Their varied backgrounds and journeys make this anthology a rich tapestry of insights. Proven Success Traits: Delve deep into the minds of these accomplished entrepreneurs as they unveil the traits that have been instrumental in their triumphs. From the power of perseverance to the art of adaptability, you'll learn to apply these proven strategies to your own endeavors. Real-World Applications: "Lead from Within" is more than just a collection of stories; it's a practical guide to success. Discover how to harness the wisdom of these leaders and apply it to your personal and professional life. Inspiration and Motivation: The stories within these pages will inspire and motivate you to pursue your own dreams with renewed vigor. You'll find a wealth of inspiration to overcome obstacles and reach your full potential. If you're seeking a blueprint for entrepreneurial success, "Lead from Within" is your compass. Let the wisdom of these accomplished leaders become your guiding star as you navigate the ever-changing landscape of business and leadership. Order your copy now and embark on a transformative journey toward your own extraordinary success.
• Straight Talk Writer — Are you ready to grow your business through online programs? Do you struggle with packaging and converting your services into online programs? Packaging and monetizing your services is a common challenge for many coaches, workshop leaders and consultants. How can you overcome this challenge and move forward? Consider the 10x Your Expertise consulting process to get a plan that structures and organizes your content so it’s ready to be developed into a money making product. 10x Your Expertise helps you identify your ideal clients so that you can: • Drive new revenue streams • Increase your capacity to deliver higher value with less effort • Shift from being an unknown expert to the “Go To Expert” and • Transform your content into a money-making product.
• 10x Your Expertise — Are you a consultant, speaker, or facilitator with a wealth of knowledge, eager to leave a lasting impression on your audience? Have you explored how you can reshape the way you share your expertise with the world? Imagine turning your wealth of knowledge into a revenue-generating powerhouse. When you want to explore new ways to monetize your expertise, our thought-provoking questions can help you gain clarity. The goal of this assessment is to uncover what it takes to elevate your influence. Let our Get Ready Assessment be your compass on this journey!

In this episode she divulges information about what life was like for her as a mom, housewife and executive and how that led her to becoming a life coach today. She also discusses the impact her husband, a holocaust survivor, had on her life choices and how that is still influencing her today.

Join us.

Special Guest: Gloria Milner.

Dara, a confidence expert and speaker helps women speak up, be heard, get paid what they deserve and "kick fear to the curb." She joins me on this podcast to discuss how she grew from a shy child, canceled corporate employee, to now successful motivational speaker. Her experiences led her to find her voice and inspire women to realize their potential.

In this episode she discusses why women may be afraid to speak up and how to become assertive and trust yourself. Join me to find out who inspires her as a confident woman in the public eye, and how she feels about the Me Too Movement as a leader in the industry.

Special Guest: Dara Connolly.

With more than 20 years of experience in multinational HR leadership roles for global technology companies, she understands the complexities of the programs & processes that are the fundamentals of the People function — driving continuous improvements and the achievement of company goals.

Join me as I talk with Shelly about how she started in HR, why she stayed, and what is happening in the job market amidst the flux in jobs due to the pandemic.

Special Guest: Shelly Morales.

Founders of The Co-Co saw a need in their community for women at all stages of their careers to have a place to work, collaborate, and network. Just as their business was starting to blossom, the pandemic hit; and like many other businesses in 2020, they had to find a new way to serve and connect their clients.

The pandemic wound up benefiting The Co-Co in ways they hadn't imagined: offering collaboration and networking events virtually, and finding new and inventive ways to help women thrive.

Join me as I explore starting a business and navigating the pandemic with three big dreamers.

Special Guest: Lauren Decker-The Co-Co.

In this episode, we discuss how she became an entrpreneur and the backstory of how she got to this success point in her story. Find out what the suprise in her journey wound up being and how it changed the course of her career entirely-- for the better!

Special Guest: Brenda Abdilla.

Susan Guthrie, nationally recognized as one of the Top Family Law and Mediation Attorneys in the country, has been helping individuals and families navigate separation and divorce for 30 years. She has personally operated on a fully online basis as a family law mediator for several years and currently works with clients throughout the country and the world.

Susan founded Learn to Mediate Online in order to help fellow mediators and professionals to ethically and efficiently integrate an online platform into their practice and to help them take their practice to the next level through effective marketing, practice optimization and more!

Susan is also the Creator and Host of the iTunes top podcast, The Divorce & Beyond Podcast with Susan Guthrie, Esq. and the critically acclaimed The Learn to Mediate Online Podcast for dispute resolution professionals!

Listen as Donna and Susan talk being a leader, founder, podcast host, and how to advocate for yourself.

Special Guest: Susan Guthrie .

Listen as Donna talks to Mike about how he got where he is today: serving vs. selling, his entreprenurial spirit and how his faith led him to make the biggest move in his career.

Special Guest: Mike Cuevas.

Lee has had a varied career history including: writing 5 children books, owning a bouncy castle business, DJ-ing dressed as a monkey....data input administrator to co-founding his own business in 2018. ALL of these steps on his career journey have shaped him as a person. But, it was losing Chris that has sharpened his focus.

Special Guest: Lee Houghton.

Special Guest: Lamar Tyler.

Special Guest: Clark Payan.

Listen to hear more of David's story about how he changed professionally and personally.

Special Guest: David Marchi.

Wendy talks about how regardless of the job you are doing, grasp the opportunity to learn from it. Every experience you have better prepares you for your next job. Show initiative early on (and grab new responsibilities), grow from your mistakes, and finally, fake it until you know it - we all do it. If you are not ever afraid, then you are probably not growing in your role.

Special Guest: Wendy King.

Sponsored By:

• Career Accelerator : You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But in today’s fast-changing world, hard work alone isn’t enough. Careers stall. Opportunities pass by. Technology threatens to replace what once made you valuable. That’s where The Career Accelerator comes in. This isn’t a job-search group. It’s a long-term investment in your career, your brand, and your future. Inside, you’ll find: Accountability & Momentum – stay consistent and visible with guided support. Expert Guidance – strategy, tools, and updates to keep your brand sharp and future-proof. Networking & Community – connect with other ambitious professionals who open doors, champion your growth, and push you further. Confidence & Clarity – know exactly how to position yourself so opportunities find you. This is for the visionary—the professional who wants to live a charmed career life. Not chasing jobs, but attracting them. Not getting stuck, but rising higher. 👉 Step into The Career Accelerator today. Because the question isn’t whether you have a brand—you already do. The question is whether it’s designed to last.

Starting over in his 50's, Nelson went to WESCO where as Executive Vice President and General Manager for Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Nelson Squires leads the largest business segment of one of the world's largest distributors of electrical, industrial, MRO, and communications products and services.

He thrives on building great teams and working with them to develop sound strategic plans. His inclusive communications style empowers teams to execute strategies and achieve targets ahead of plan.

During our conversation, Nelson speaks of how the skills you have acquired over your life and career can be transferred and translated to new industries and new opportunities. Learning never ends.

Special Guest: Nelson Squires.

Special Guest: James C. George.

Larry Kaufman is the Best-Selling Author of The NCG Factor – A Formula for Building Life-Changing Relationships from College to Retirement. He is a connector, giver, and rainmaker who lives his life to help others succeed. He is a Senior Level Sales & Operations Leader running the Midwest Region for Jefferson Wells. Larry has also been a globally-published speaker and trainer on LinkedIn for more than a decade. Larry is an investor and advisor to several local technology companies and sits on the board of Holiday Heroes, a charity that brings joy and a sense of normalcy to hospitalized children. Larry resides in a Chicago suburb with his wife and two children.

Special Guest: Larry Kaufman.

Cole Silver is a business man, lawyer, and client strategist. He has practiced law for over 35 years, first owning his own multi-state firm and then serving as a General Counsel to several high growth companies. He is now the Chief Client Officer of a global law firm helping align lawyers with client needs. He has authored 3 books, served as an instructor to several academic institutions and trained hundreds of professionals in leadership, business development and client service.

Special Guest: Cole Silver.

Kristi is the Senior Manager of go-to-market strategy and operations at eBay. In her role, she’s responsible for updating their sellers on key programs and changes.
She has been at eBay for over 18 years working in a variety of roles, from customer service to project management to marketing.

Special Guest: Kristi Diemoz.

Special Guest: Eric Bartosz.

Sponsored By:

• Career Accelerator : You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But in today’s fast-changing world, hard work alone isn’t enough. Careers stall. Opportunities pass by. Technology threatens to replace what once made you valuable. That’s where The Career Accelerator comes in. This isn’t a job-search group. It’s a long-term investment in your career, your brand, and your future. Inside, you’ll find: Accountability & Momentum – stay consistent and visible with guided support. Expert Guidance – strategy, tools, and updates to keep your brand sharp and future-proof. Networking & Community – connect with other ambitious professionals who open doors, champion your growth, and push you further. Confidence & Clarity – know exactly how to position yourself so opportunities find you. This is for the visionary—the professional who wants to live a charmed career life. Not chasing jobs, but attracting them. Not getting stuck, but rising higher. 👉 Step into The Career Accelerator today. Because the question isn’t whether you have a brand—you already do. The question is whether it’s designed to last.

Links:

• Bar40: Personal Coaching — Introducing a better way of being. Bar40 provides you with the tools needed to achieve peak performance and become the version of yourself that you have always envisioned!

Special Guest: Scott Mesh.

Sponsored By:

• Career Accelerator : You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But in today’s fast-changing world, hard work alone isn’t enough. Careers stall. Opportunities pass by. Technology threatens to replace what once made you valuable. That’s where The Career Accelerator comes in. This isn’t a job-search group. It’s a long-term investment in your career, your brand, and your future. Inside, you’ll find: Accountability & Momentum – stay consistent and visible with guided support. Expert Guidance – strategy, tools, and updates to keep your brand sharp and future-proof. Networking & Community – connect with other ambitious professionals who open doors, champion your growth, and push you further. Confidence & Clarity – know exactly how to position yourself so opportunities find you. This is for the visionary—the professional who wants to live a charmed career life. Not chasing jobs, but attracting them. Not getting stuck, but rising higher. 👉 Step into The Career Accelerator today. Because the question isn’t whether you have a brand—you already do. The question is whether it’s designed to last.

Links:

• Scott Mesh: LinkedIn Profile — Dr. Mesh loves helping and teaching others. His greatest joy is seeing people move ahead on their journey to go where they want to go in life. This is why he shares Learning Moments at Los Niños, on LinkedIn, and why he mentors entrepreneurs, and colleagues He enjoys connecting with thought leaders and all people who are inspired to become their best selves. He is a lifelong student of psychology and enjoys sharing great learning with others. He values EdTech as a way to spread resources, activities, and practices with people everywhere. His significant achievements include co-founding the American Psychological Association for Graduate Students (APAGS) and co-founding the Young Child Expo & Conference, now online with curated early childhood content in a Learning Library. Dr. Mesh is the author of A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Assessment and has performed several thousand psychological evaluations of toddlers and preschoolers. Connect with Dr. Mesh to help others learn and grow.
• Los Ninos — Los Niños Services was founded by professionals with many years of experience in early childhood education.
• Young Child Expo & Conference — The Young Child Expo is brought to you by(our sister company to Los Niños Services) offers a number of training opportunities. These include public professional development workshops and conferences, privately scheduled workshops at your facility, and workshops/lectures on career development and careers in early childhood services.

As an Executive Coach and Healthcare Consultant dedicated to advancing Healthcare Professionals into extraordinarily successful, high-performing leaders, Carol shares her wisdom and explains the benefits of working with others to improve ourselves.

Special Guest: Carol Schmekel.

Sponsored By:

• Career Accelerator : You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But in today’s fast-changing world, hard work alone isn’t enough. Careers stall. Opportunities pass by. Technology threatens to replace what once made you valuable. That’s where The Career Accelerator comes in. This isn’t a job-search group. It’s a long-term investment in your career, your brand, and your future. Inside, you’ll find: Accountability & Momentum – stay consistent and visible with guided support. Expert Guidance – strategy, tools, and updates to keep your brand sharp and future-proof. Networking & Community – connect with other ambitious professionals who open doors, champion your growth, and push you further. Confidence & Clarity – know exactly how to position yourself so opportunities find you. This is for the visionary—the professional who wants to live a charmed career life. Not chasing jobs, but attracting them. Not getting stuck, but rising higher. 👉 Step into The Career Accelerator today. Because the question isn’t whether you have a brand—you already do. The question is whether it’s designed to last.

Links:

• Carol Schmekel's LinkedIn profile — Certified Executive Coach and Registered Nurse (RN/BSN) with additional credentials including Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP), Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives® (FACHE), and Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA).

Today, Craig is an Executive Coach, helping Senior Marketing executives grow toward their full potential, distinguish themselves from other C-suite executives and deliver meaningful value to their organizations.

Special Guest: Craig Coffey.

Sponsored By:

• Career Accelerator : You’ve worked hard to get where you are. But in today’s fast-changing world, hard work alone isn’t enough. Careers stall. Opportunities pass by. Technology threatens to replace what once made you valuable. That’s where The Career Accelerator comes in. This isn’t a job-search group. It’s a long-term investment in your career, your brand, and your future. Inside, you’ll find: Accountability & Momentum – stay consistent and visible with guided support. Expert Guidance – strategy, tools, and updates to keep your brand sharp and future-proof. Networking & Community – connect with other ambitious professionals who open doors, champion your growth, and push you further. Confidence & Clarity – know exactly how to position yourself so opportunities find you. This is for the visionary—the professional who wants to live a charmed career life. Not chasing jobs, but attracting them. Not getting stuck, but rising higher. 👉 Step into The Career Accelerator today. Because the question isn’t whether you have a brand—you already do. The question is whether it’s designed to last.

Links:

• Craig Coffey's LinkedIn profile — Helping Senior Marketing Leaders build strong teams that deliver inspired results! Expertise in the Financial Services, Technology, Consumer Packaged Goods and Hospitality sectors.