podcast Archives - Lisa Demmi

The Small Magic Podcast Episode 10- Interview with Lee Silverstein

lisademmi — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 01:01:08 +0000

Lee Silverstein can cook a mean latke. BUT that’s not the best thing to know about him. Lee has been dealing with Cancer for several years now and even as a child. To know him and interact with him, you’d never know. In this episode, Lee talks about his experiences as well as his podcast, “The Colon Cancer Podcast.” Lee is a podcast veteran and his show reaches thousands and thousands of people.

I invite you to listen today and see what Lee is all about. I know you’ll like him as much as I do.

One more thing: The Undy Run is a run that Lee does every year to help raise money for colon Cancer. I’m running it and if you’re a runner or walker and you’d like to participate, go here for registration!

The post The Small Magic Podcast Episode 10- Interview with Lee Silverstein appeared first on Lisa Demmi.

The Small Magic Podcast Episode 9- Interview with Jessica Muroff

purple46 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:57:40 +0000

Everyone has heard of the Girl Scouts. Did you know that they’ve been around since March 12, 1912? That makes the organization 105 years old. How does something that age still remain fresh and relevant? It’s the people. AND the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida has great people, specifically someone very special at the helm.

Jessica Muroff is the CEO and she hit the ground running. In our interview today, you’ll hear some of the new things Girl Scouts are doing and how Jessica and her team are putting their own spin and flavor on the West Central Florida Chapter.

If you’re interested in finding out more about the Girl Scouts, click here. They are SO much more than cookies…but don’t worry, we do talk about cookies too!

For more information on Small Magic or to find out what I’m up to, just visit lisademmi.com or drop me a line at lisa@lisademmi.com

The post The Small Magic Podcast Episode 9- Interview with Jessica Muroff appeared first on Lisa Demmi.

The Small Magic Podcast Episode 8- Interview with Valerie Ellis Lavin

purple46 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:43:33 +0000

Tampa is an entrepreneurial city and we are full of people creating new business ventures that impact not just them but also our community. One of those entrepreneurs is Valerie Ellis Lavin.

Valerie retired after 21 years in the Army as the U.S Central Command Commandant Headquarters First Sergeant. Her military background and her experience as an entrepreneur has given her a unique perspective on Veteran’s as professionals and as business owners. She is a dynamic leader who works tirelessly to ensure every Veteran (and Veteran Spouse) who wants to become a business owner can accomplish that mission.

Now, Valerie’s new mission is with Operation Startup, showing other former military and entrepreneurs the ropes when it comes to business.

Her motto: Serving those who served.

Valerie is a gift to Tampa and we are truly grateful for not only her service to our country but also her continued service to our community!

The post The Small Magic Podcast Episode 8- Interview with Valerie Ellis Lavin appeared first on Lisa Demmi.

The Small Magic Podcast- Episode 7- Interview with Jodi Pelletier

purple46 — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 00:39:41 +0000

Jodi Pelletier would say she is no one special. I disagree. Jodi is a teacher in the local Tampa Bay area and teaches second grade. I’d be willing to bet you that the eight learning challenged students whom she has taught would say she’s pretty special too.

Jodi is not a special needs teacher. She does not have an organization backing her other than the elementary school she teaches at. What Jodi does have is heart and love and respect for other humans. Jodi has given her time to these kids and likely always will.

She’s made a difference in their lives and they will be forever changed because of it. If I had a child in elementary school. I’d want Jodi to be his or her teacher.

She is what Small magic is all about. She didn’t like the way something was so she just took it upon herself to make things better.

Mission accomplished, Jodi. AND thank you for making a difference.

The post The Small Magic Podcast- Episode 7- Interview with Jodi Pelletier appeared first on Lisa Demmi.

Kindness

purple46 — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 11:07:29 +0000

The last month has been challenging to say the least. Between hurricanes, earthquakes, and shootings, there’s a lot more bad in our newsfeeds, on our TVs, and in our conversations.

I don’t know the answers. What I do know is that we should all make an extra effort to be kind to each other. God knows we could all use it; some more than others.

Being kind is easy, really requires no effort, and can make an enormous impact on the person on the other end of it. Don’t be so quick to judge a point a finger. No one wants to hear ” I told you so” or ” you’re wrong.” They want to hear ” how can I help,” ” I’m here for you,” and ” you’re not alone.”

Think about the last time you had a bad day and someone did something nice for you. How did it make you feel? At worst, it made you feel better. At best, it changed your whole day! Never happened? All the more reason for you to set the tone. Your kindness not only affects others but it sets the tone of your day as well.

Why not try it?

And one last thing, and this is important, don’t wait until you think someone needs it. Do it all the time.

There’s a saying I’ve seen a few times and today really resonates with me.

” kindness. It doesn’t cost a damn thing. Sprinkle that shit everywhere.”

The post Kindness appeared first on Lisa Demmi.

The Small Magic of Generosity

purple46 — Sun, 27 Aug 2017 11:06:18 +0000

My mom, Mama Sandra, has always been one of the most generous people I know, to a fault. She always taught all her kids to be giving and generous and not to make it all about us or to hoard our gifts from others. Sometimes, she did this to the degree that I thought was maybe not so good for her but I always understood it.

How did she show us? Let me give you a few examples.

Example #1
When we were growing up, our house was where all the kids ended up. Us, our friends, strays – my mom took them all in! She didn’t care who’s they were (eventually, they all became hers) or where they came from, as long as they were safe and cared for. And she was known for this by all of our friends.

Example #2
My parents owned an inspection company in the early 2000s. We rapidly grew to a team of 18 people. As you can imagine, my mom looked at all of them and their families as members of our family. When it was vacation time, we ALL went on vacation – together. My parents would rent out two complete buildings at the beach and everyone, their families included, would stay there for a week. You can imagine what a bond that forged between everyone.

Example #3
That same work family also exhibited something I’ll never forget to this day. Around 2009 or so, we all remember the housing market just tanked. Our business was built on that industry and we took a nosedive as well. There came a point when we couldn’t afford to pay people because we weren’t getting paid.

What happened?

Everyone stayed. They stayed out of love and loyalty to my parents. They had been so generous to the team that there was no way that anyone was going anywhere without my parents. That continued for several months until we finally had to shut the business down. They were all more concerned about what would happen to my parents than their own welfare. That says more about my parents than anything I can think of.

There are so many other examples that I just can’t list here. Suffice it to say that my parents, spearheaded by the enormous generosity of my mother, are beloved to so many.

That’s a legacy that’s worth living for and leaving behind.

And that’s truly SMALL MAGIC.

The post The Small Magic of Generosity appeared first on Lisa Demmi.