What are you looking at?

Your Wake-Up Call to The Poverty Epidemic

Enough is enough. Something is not working. In this episode of The YOU Effect [www.theyoueffect.co], Nick [www.cokascorp.com] and Roxane Cokas [www.thegetgiver.com] speak with expert Evan Feinberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-feinberg-7605993a], Executive Director of the Stand Together Foundation [https://standtogetherfoundation.org/], who helps unpack what works and what doesn’t work in moving people out of their circumstances to a life of meaning and contribution. San Francisco, alongside South Africa, has become one of the globe's leaders in homelessness, poverty, and drug addiction. It is obvious to anyone who wants to look, regardless of beliefs or background, that the way things are going and the way these issues have been approached for the past 20 years is not working. Not a day goes by where we are not confronted with the sadness and helplessness of our environments. Personally, we’ve had direct relationships with dear friends struggling in all these areas and even contemplating suicide. Are we in need of an ideological change?  It appears no matter what we read in the news or see on social media, whether in the USA, South Africa or other parts of the world, the sadness of poverty and homelessness and addiction is just getting worse. Nothing seems to be trending in the right direction. How Sick Are You of Poverty, Homelessness and Addiction? Sick enough to make a change? With the help of Evan Feinberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-feinberg-7605993a], discover solutions in this episode of The YOU Effect [www.theyoueffect.co]. Timestamps (00:00) Introduction with Evan Feinberg from Stand Together Foundation (01:29) Everyone has potential – the promise of The USA (02:50) Building a country where people can realize their full potential (03:33) The Principle of Human Dignity [https://standtogetherfellowships.org/stories/stand-together-fellowships-and-the-principles-of-human-progress/] (04:29) Non-profits treating individuals as broken and deficient (05:15) Empowerment through Contribution (06:34) What is your Ideology? (08:17) Enabling Self-Actualization [https://standtogetherfellowships.org/stories/stand-together-fellowships-and-the-principles-of-human-progress/] to be the best version of oneself (10:04) Something’s Off – Top-Down is not working (12:15) A South African’s perspective on “Harm Reduction Strategies” – treating drugs with other drugs (14:12) Substance Use Disorder (16:05) The Phoenix [https://www.1millionstrong.com/] peer-to-peer recovery program. Being capable of overcoming circumstances (17:09) Scoop up Loved Ones with Love (18:19) How can YOU be part of the solution in the micro space? (20:31) How do WE become contributors to help others become contributors? (21:29) Innovative approaches that inspire change (23:04) Relationships outcompete programs and services (25:23) See everyone as an individual (26:13) Jumping in as an individuals to make a profound difference in your country (32:01) Alexis de Tocqueville – weak individuals unite to solve problems and become a power that one sees from afar (33:50) The power of individuals coming together bigger than the power of the government (35:24) The power of deepening a single relationship Instagram: @theyoueffect.co, [www.instagram.com/theyoueffect.co]@standtogether  [https://www.instagram.com/standtogether/] Twitter/X: @standtogether [https://twitter.com/standtogether], @evanfeinberg [www.twitter.com/evanfeinberg]  LinkedIn: Evan Feinberg [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-feinberg-7605993a], Stand Together Foundation [https://www.linkedin.com/company/standtogetherfoundation], Nick Cokas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcokas/] Facebook: The You Effect [https://www.facebook.com/theyoueffect.co], Stand Together [https://www.facebook.com/JoinStandTogether]

What Are You Stacking?

Throw away your gratitude journal. This is not what this episode is about. How aware are we of how we react or how our minds chooses to process life’s obstacles and challenges? Or even just life itself, daily? Do we tend to stack what is happening poorly more than what is happening positively? Either way, how does this impact the actions, reactions, words or commentary with our family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and community? Are we building more skills at asking good questions with empathy and care or do we tend to have the solution and wise advice before making sure our audience is heard? In this episode of The YOU Effect [www.theyoueffect.co], we have a very simple conversation that made us think about the way we process our thoughts about our circumstances and environment. Timestamps (00:00) Intro (00:54) What is the point of The YOU Effect? (02:25) How do you react when a loved one is going through a tough time? (05:31) Do we stack all the bad things happening in life? (07:00) The power of empathy followed by asking good questions (09:23) Building a habit to turn the negative into a positive (10:07) Lesson #1 - Sometimes a question can be a remedy (13:39) Lesson #2 - Start stacking the good stuff

Sucker Punch

Whoa! Did you just SERIOUSLY do that?! In this episode of The YOU Effect [www.theyoueffect.co], Nick [www.cokascorp.com] and Roxane Cokas [www.thegetgiver.com] take deep breaths while they recount situations that make one feel enraged, see red and spike their adrenaline. Whether it is on the road, online or at a sporting event, we have all been there - but can we find ways to react that are productive rather than destructive? Solutions, exercises and action steps are described.  (00:00) Intro (01:48) A Sensitive Society (05:10) SHOCKING Behavior On The Road (07:33) Whose Needs Are More Important? (11:06) Finding The Reason To A Heightened Level Of Animosity (12:22) Post Game Behaviour - A Good or Spoilt Sport? (15:30) Witnessing A Sucker Punch - ouch! (16:40) Thinking Of Others As Greater Than Ourselves (18:55) A Habit Of Flipping Our Minds and Our Reactions (20:48) Being A Good Representative For What You Believe In (22:22) Creating Scenarios That Grant Grace To Others  (23:41) Simple Conversations Leading To Better Scenarios

What are you looking at?

Come on - 1 minute a day...Why is it so hard? Do you know how difficult it is to create a new habit? The old saying use to be do something for 21 days in a row and you will establish a new habit... If only it was that easy. The benefits of observation are backed by research but why can't people and executives, from huge organizations to the small business owner, not find the time? Take time out of your day to simply observe. No expectations. Step out of your normal routine for 1 minute per day and focus on something other than yourself. In this Episode: Increase peace. Increase health. Increase connectedness If you like what you hear... Subscribe and share! (00:00) Intro (00:40) The Art of Observation (01:08) The Museum of Modern Art San Francisco (www.sfmoma.org) (02:34) Do Things Seem Bland At First Glance? (03:13) Taking An Afternoon to JUST Observe (04:19) Focus On Something Outside of Yourself (04:32) Perspective - Fast & Small vs Slow and Large (07:05) Trying to NOT Figure Out The Story (08:52) A Conscious Exercise of Observation (09:46) The Benefits of Stepping Into A New Space (11:24) Observation Leads To Healthier Interactions With Others (13:04) Focusing on The Process vs The Results (13.30) Perspective On Who You Are In The Centre Of Humanity (19.42) Scheduling A Date With Observation

Choose One Step - Start With Fashion

Can a topical conversation from which you usually put off, actually leave you with a changed perspective and the motivation to change your actions? After recording this episode, we can definitely say, 'Yes, it can!' We were lucky enough to have Philips McCarty [https://www.fitnyc.edu/about/administration/philips-mccarty.php] as our guest on this episode of The YOU Effect [//www.theyoueffect.co] - the Executive Director of the FIT Foundation [https://www.fitnyc.edu/about/administration/fit-foundation/index.php] in New York City (Fashion Institute of Technology). McCarty is an expert in the field of sustainability, strategic philanthropy and social impact initiatives... In other words, or as Nick likes to call him - he is a 'genius' in his field. McCarty was able to enlighten The YOU Effect hosts, Nick [//www.cokascorp.com]and Roxane Cokas [//www.thegetgiver.com], on the topic of Sustainable Fashion and, in just 20 minutes, was able to encourage and inspire them to change the daily rhythms of their lives. Find out  'why it is okay to spend $1000 on a coat' as well as learning about 'sweaters made from saliva' on this episode of The YOU Effect! (00:00) Intro (02:14) Make An Impact Where You Live, Work and Play (03:05) A Micro-Explanation of Sustainable Fashion (03:47) Sustainability is Polarizing (04:29) Innovative Fashion Solutions out of F.I.T. New York (05:45) Is Your Sweater Made From Saliva? (07:15) Do You Love A Little Vintage? (08:16) There Is No Such Thing as a Fully Sustainable Company (10:00) Focusing On Where You Want To Go, Not On What Bogs You Down (12.28) Define Who You Are & Choose One Step (15:31) "Green Washing" vs Part of Your DNA (18:50) Your Responsibility As The Consumer (21:22) Invest In Great Pieces (25:06) Redefining Sustainability