Unveiling Journeys with Tiffany Alexander

From Scientist to Storyteller: Building a Global “Hidden Gems” Podcast Network

How do you go from plant biotechnology and national agricultural research to building a global podcasting movement? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, we sit down with Dr. Veronica Broomes, founder of Hidden Gems Podcasting Global and Sustainability Support Service, to explore a remarkable journey that spans science, sustainability, hospitality, and storytelling. Dr. Broomes shares how her early career in agricultural research and plant tissue culture led her into environmental impact assessments, sustainability innovation, and eventually entrepreneurship in the hospitality sector. When the pandemic disrupted travel, she turned connection into opportunity—launching the Sheffield’s Hidden Gems Podcast to spotlight local businesses, charities, and social enterprises. What started as a way to stay connected became a global framework for helping others launch their own “Hidden Gems” podcasts in their own communities. Bio: Dr. Veronica Broomes is the Founder of Hidden Gems Podcasting Global and a sustainability expert who builds podcast platforms that spotlight overlooked founders and communities while also leading Sustainability Support Service Ltd., where she helps organizations implement practical sustainability and carbon reduction strategies. With a PhD in Plant Science and an LLM in Law, plus 25+ years of experience in science and environmental impact work, she blends technical expertise and storytelling to turn complex ideas into practical, scalable impact through media and sustainability programs. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ From plant biotech to global sustainability leadership ✅ Why science, people, and profit must work together ✅ How the Hidden Gems Podcast was born during COVID-19 ✅ Turning local storytelling into a scalable global network ✅ Why podcasts are powerful tools for business visibility ✅ Lessons from building across Guyana, the UK, and beyond If you’re interested in sustainability, storytelling, entrepreneurship, or launching a podcast of your own—this conversation is full of insight and practical inspiration. Connect with Dr Veronica Broomes: 🌐 Website: https://68ad114c7c4de.site123.me/ [https://68ad114c7c4de.site123.me/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sustainabilitysupportforbusinessandservicedaccommodation/overlay/contact-info/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sustainabilitysupportforbusinessandservicedaccommodation/overlay/contact-info/] 📧 Email: bizcoachuk@gmail.com #Podcasting #EntrepreneurJourney #Sustainability #Storytelling #HiddenGems #WomenInScience #SocialImpact #BusinessGrowth #UnveilingJourneys #Innovation If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

From Pet Lover to Founder: Building an AI-Backed Pet Blood Bank to Save Lives

Can engineering, data, and supply chain thinking solve a life-or-death shortage in veterinary medicine? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with Erica Lopez, founder of Animal Blood Center, a mission-driven startup building a modern pet blood bank system for cats and dogs. Erica shares her journey from a curious, animal-loving kid in Florida… to an engineering student at the University of Florida… to working on reliability engineering at Apple—before walking away to solve a problem almost no one was talking about: the critical shortage of pet blood products. What starts as curiosity becomes a mission after she learns a devastating truth from veterinarians: pets are sometimes euthanized simply because lifesaving blood is unavailable or unaffordable. Bio: Erica Lopez is the Founder & CEO of Animal Blood Center, California’s first community-based pet blood bank, working to expand access to lifesaving blood products for pets and build a scalable veterinary donation system. With a background in reliability engineering at Apple and Intel and research experience at Harvard in semiconductor materials, she brings a systems-focused, technical approach to solving gaps in animal healthcare. Her mission is to modernize and scale pet blood donation infrastructure nationwide. We dive into: ✅ Why there’s a national shortage of pet blood products ✅ How pet blood banking actually works (and why it’s complex) ✅ Erica’s path from Apple engineering to startup founder ✅ How supply chain thinking applies to veterinary medicine ✅ The emotional reality vets and pet owners face ✅ Building Animal Blood Center from the ground up If you care about animals, startups, healthcare systems, or mission-driven innovation—this episode will stay with you. Connect with Erica Lopez: 🌐 Website: https://www.animalbloodcenter.org/ [https://www.animalbloodcenter.org/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericalopez29/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericalopez29/] 📧 Email: hello@animalbloodcenter.org #VeterinaryMedicine #PetHealth #AnimalWelfare #StartupStory #WomenInSTEM #Engineering #SocialImpact #PetLovers #EntrepreneurJourney #HealthcareInnovation #UnveilingJourneys If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

From Shy Kid to Video Coach: Turning Simple Videos into Sales Calls

Can a 10-second video really change your business? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, we sit down with Ed Oyama—video coach, creator, and founder of a system helping entrepreneurs turn simple videos into real sales conversations. Ed’s path is anything but linear: from growing up in Southern California dreaming of becoming a Ninja Turtle, to studying math at UCLA after pivoting away from animation and engineering, to teaching English across Kyrgyzstan and China—where he discovered the power of communication, connection, and “ideas that spread.” Today, he helps small business owners and solopreneurs show up confidently on camera and turn short-form content into client acquisition tools—especially on LinkedIn. Bio: Ed Oyama is a video coach and content strategist who helps small business owners turn simple LinkedIn videos into inbound leads and sales conversations. After years running English teaching nonprofits overseas, he shifted into marketing and built Super Simple Marketing and Small Business Video School to help people get comfortable on camera and show up consistently. His approach focuses on keeping video simple—just press record, say something helpful, and publish—so entrepreneurs can connect authentically and convert attention into clients. He also builds AI-powered systems to automate parts of his business, including content, email, and outreach. Today, he blends teaching, storytelling, and automation to help creators turn visibility into real business results. We dive into: ✅ Why most people overcomplicate social media ✅ The “parade analogy” for content marketing that changes everything ✅ How teaching English abroad reshaped his communication style ✅ Why video is the new public speaking (and why that matters) ✅ The simple framework for making videos that actually get clients ✅ How AI tools like Claude are transforming his entire workflow ✅ Why “ideas that spread win” is still the ultimate business strategy If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable on camera or unsure what to say online—this episode will completely reframe how you think about content. Connect with Ed Oyama: 🌐 Website: https://smallbusinessvideoschool.com/ [https://smallbusinessvideoschool.com/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edoyama/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/edoyama/] 📧 Email: ed@supersimplemarketing.net #VideoMarketing #LinkedInStrategy #ContentCreation #EntrepreneurJourney #SocialMediaTips #UnveilingJourneys #PersonalBranding #CreatorEconomy #SmallBusinessGrowth #AICreators If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

From Political Science to Podcast Profit: Turning Interviews into Clients

Can podcast interviews actually turn into real clients and revenue—or are most people just wasting their time? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, we sit down with Marlen Kakkori, a podcast guesting strategist and founder of the Podcast Conversion Lab, to break down how entrepreneurs can turn interviews into real business growth. Marlen shares her incredible international journey—from growing up in Estonia, studying political science across Europe and Turkey, speaking multiple languages, and working in research and marketing—before building a global marketing agency that evolved into a podcast conversion system. Bio: Marlen Kakkori is the founder of Marlen Marketing, a podcast guesting strategy agency that helps entrepreneurs turn podcast interviews into client acquisition systems. She works with coaches, authors, and founders to improve messaging, positioning, and conversion so podcast appearances generate revenue, not just visibility. Originally from Estonia and educated across Europe in political science and political marketing, she began her career in affiliate marketing before shifting into podcast strategy during COVID. After becoming a mother, she rebuilt her agency from hourly services to results-based systems with a team, focusing on scalable outcomes for clients. Through her Podcast Conversion Lab and LinkedIn newsletter, she teaches how to prepare for, perform in, and leverage podcast interviews as long-term business assets. We dive into: ✅ Why most podcast interviews don’t convert into clients ✅ The missing strategy behind podcast guesting success ✅ How to turn interviews into long-term lead generation ✅ Why founders and authors are the best podcast guests ✅ The shift from selling hours → selling results ✅ Building a business while navigating motherhood and scale If you’re a podcast guest, host, or entrepreneur trying to turn visibility into revenue, this conversation is a must-listen. Connect with Marlen Kakkori: 🌐 Website: https://www.skool.com/the-podcast-conversion-lab-1632 [https://www.skool.com/the-podcast-conversion-lab-1632] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenkakkori/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlenkakkori/] 📧 Email: marlenkakkori@gmail.com #PodcastMarketing #Entrepreneurship #PodcastGuesting #BusinessStrategy #MarketingStrategy #WomenInBusiness #PersonalBranding #LeadGeneration #UnveilingJourneys #ContentStrategy If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!

From Coffee Farm to Conscious Healing: A Journey of Ancestral Wisdom

Can we break free from generational patterns that shape who we become? In this episode of Unveiling Journeys, Tiffany Alexander sits down with James Kawainui—a Hawaiian-born healer, former U.S. Navy serviceman, and global practitioner of energy and human behavior work. James shares a remarkable life journey: from growing up on a coffee farm in Kona under difficult circumstances, to serving in the Navy during the Cold War, to building a corporate career, and ultimately walking away from it all after a profound inner calling changed the course of his life. Today, he works with individuals and organizations to help them recognize and interrupt unconscious behavioral “programs” shaped by family systems, trauma, and lived experience. His work blends ancestral wisdom, emotional awareness, and insights from neuroscience and epigenetics to support deep personal transformation. Bio: Claudia Beck is a Strategic Executive Advisor and Master Certified Coach with 30 years in global corporate leadership (Tory Burch, Burberry, Gap Inc., PwC). After senior finance and planning roles across the U.S., Europe, and Asia—including long tenures in retail and luxury fashion—she transitioned into executive coaching. Since 2019, she’s delivered 6,000+ sessions focused on leadership clarity, decision-making, alignment, and execution. She now runs BetterTogetherGroup and developed the A.T.T.U.N.E.™ Framework to help leaders operate with greater awareness, effectiveness, and impact. In this conversation, we explore: ✅ How generational patterns influence behavior and identity ✅ The idea of “interrupting the program” of reactive thinking ✅ Why awareness creates space between stimulus and response ✅ How trauma can be carried—and transformed—across generations ✅ James’ journey from military life to healing practitioner ✅ The role of ancestry, intuition, and personal awakening ✅ Why self-judgment may be one of the biggest barriers to growth This is a powerful conversation about awareness, healing, and what it means to consciously change the trajectory of your life. Connect with James Kawainui: 🌐 Website: https://www.jameskawainui.com/ [https://www.jameskawainui.com/]                      https://calendly.com/jameskawainui/30min-get-back-on-track [https://calendly.com/jameskawainui/30min-get-back-on-track] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kawainui-spiritual-counselor-life-strategist-77b99b102/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-kawainui-spiritual-counselor-life-strategist-77b99b102/] 📧 Email: james@jameskawainui.com 🔖 Hashtags #HealingJourney #GenerationalHealing #MindsetShift #EnergyWork #SelfAwareness #TraumaHealing #PersonalGrowth #UnveilingJourneys #HawaiianWisdom #NeuroscienceOfHealing If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss out on future content. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and we’ll see you in the next one! Book a Call:  https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/ [https://aspensagefund.com/contact-us/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thankfulinc/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet [https://www.facebook.com/tiffspacecadet] Website: aspensagefund.com [http://aspensagefund.com/] Thanks for watching!