Improving Our Mental Fitness with Financial Education

“There is a lot of anxiety about money…” On this episode of We Are Everyone, Libby Snyder, CFP, CPFA and Financial Adviser at Merrill Lynch, stops by the podcast to share the insight she has gathered on her path from teaching to helping people with financial planning.

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She explains how understanding the mind runs deeply through both professions and ties them together, including the toll that disregarding financial preparedness can take on people’s wellness. She also describes her own mental fitness perspective as well as why she has learned to surround herself with those who create a positive environment.

 

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-snyder-cfp%C2%AE-cpfa-092a5174

Website – https://fa.ml.com/maryland/bethesda/libby-snyder1/

 

Show notes:

1:47 Libby introduces herself and tells us about her journey from beginning as a teacher to becoming a financial adviser

4:04 Libby explains how her knowledge in education and psychology both relate to her skills as a teacher and financial professional

5:52 Jenn and Libby discuss how the lack of financial literacy in high schools contributes to poor financial decision making in college years

12:20 Libby poignantly answers the question, “how have you maintained your mental fitness and what does mental fitness mean to you?”

14:38 Libby explains that she finds people that align with her values by getting to know what’s most important to them.

16:25 Jenn asks the question, “How do you go about your day practicing mental fitness?”

20:00 Libby drops more wisdom and reminds us to care for those we may not know


Breaking Down the Impact of Media Messaging with Keiana King

“It matters how your audience receives the message.”

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Keina King, a strategic thinker, designer, brand lover, co-founder of Butta Digital Creative Studio and digital marketing copywriter at software supply chain automation company Sonatype, joins Jenn to discuss her creative method as a writer, the value of such roles to an organization’s communication and how working in and consuming types of media can have an impact on mental wellbeing. She also lets us in on how she flexes her mental fitness through reading and journaling.

 

Keiana’s Website: https://www.keianaking.com/

Sonatype Website: https://www.sonatype.com/

Butta Digital Creative Studio Website: https://buttadigital.com/

 

Show notes:

1:20 Keiana opens the show by outlining her journey as a writer for software security automation

4:30 Jenn and Keiana stress the importance of having effective communicators in a content-driven society

8:34 Keiana flexes her mental fitness through reading, journaling and a healthy diversification of media

13:56 Jenn and Keiana discuss how experiencing certain types of media, even as marketers, can be harmful to one’s mental health over time

17:30 Keiana spills on her creative method of separating the internal voice from the voice of the brand

20:36 Jenn lists some famous brands that have capitalized on their communication to create very specific cultural niches

22:23 Creative roles aren’t always valued culturally, but the finished product absolutely is

25:56 More ways to flex mental fitness – chores, dancing, visiting museums, seeing plays, getting outside


Aligning Missions Externally and Internally with Dale Pfeifer, Founder and CEO of Goodworld

“Make sure that the whole person is looked after.” We are so lucky to be joined by Dale Pfeifer, who took time to stop by We Are Everyone to share insight from her journey to becoming one of the leading charitable entrepreneurs through the creation of Goodworld, a company that powers mission-driven organizations with technology that transforms workplace culture, communities and customer connections. Here’s a hint – it includes emphasizing mental wellness.

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She also details why it is so important for her company to support its team as they work to support others. From the practices that her company instills to the view of employee care that they have implemented, we think there will be a lot to take away from Dale as a team member, entrepreneur, changemaker, you name it.

 

Dale Pfeifer LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dale-pfeifer-a907761/

Dale Pfeifer Twitter – https://twitter.com/dale_pfeifer

Goodworld Website – https://goodworldnow.com/

Goodworld Twitter – https://twitter.com/goodworld

Goodworld Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/goodworld.me/

Goodworld Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/goodworld/

Goodworld LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodworld 

 

Show notes:

2:31 Dale answers the question, “How does social entrepreneurship play into having a healthy mindset?”

5:00 The discussion continues on the learning curve in becoming a charitable entrepreneur, and how businesses adapted during the onset of the pandemic

7:00 Being able to manage a business during the pandemic helped owners retain a semblance of control and stability during a tumultuous time

9:22 Dale discusses how growing new competencies through online courses in marketing and communication helped her to cultivate a sense of resilience

12:03 Dale gives her definition of mental fitness: taking care of your health from a preparatory stance

13:02 Dale details what her company implements to take care of their employees – mandatory 14-day paid leave, extra time off during major holidays, check-in’s, etc.

15:25 As a company with a social impact-based mission, Dale details how she ensures that the values are aligned externally and internally

17:33 Acknowledging the human element in communication and business relations is very important to the longevity of a company

20:15 Formalized mental recess breaks could be very beneficial to the corporate world; mental breaks already serve to help employees and business owners alike. Dale details the mental recess practice she implements with her life partner.

24:44 Dale brings home the facts, that talking about mental health is incredibly important and beneficial for us all, especially when viewing statistics surrounding employee engagement

 

Quotes Mentioned:

“Mental fitness is key to surviving as an entrepreneur.” – D

“I don’t believe that you can be a successful entrepreneur if you don’t have an optimistic mindset.” – J

“Resilience and grit – something that entrepreneurs have born within them, or you have to acquire that mindset.” – J

“A lot of angst comes from the lack of control.” – J

“I can control my environment and if I need to come up with something to sell… I can do that.” – J

“We live in such a comparing society, which is detrimental to our mental health.” – J

Being able to block out that noise and to stay your course… takes that entrepreneurship mindset and applies it to the greater good for mental fitness and mental health.” – J

“What kind of control can you have over your life when the world hits you with something unexpected?” – D

“A friend that will tell you the truth if the news isn’t good, is a friend indeed.” – D

“…Mental health, but doing it from a preparatory stance.” – D

“When it comes to mental fitness, my guess is that everybody is slightly different?” – D

“I also think of mental fitness as an employer, and I think that’s very important.” – D

“When people are working really really hard, that can impact their happiness, their wellbeing, and their productivity in the long term.” – D

“Make sure that the whole person is looked after.” – D

“As a company culture, we have an open [Slack] policy so that you can talk to anyone, at any moment. We encourage asking questions.” – D

“Communication and witnessing the whole person rather than just the person at work are two very important things.” – D

“The more that we can lean into [the why’s] the more we’re going to have a productive workforce, and the more we’re gonna have happy people.” – J

“Kids have a period of time to run around, adults need that too.” – J

“Mental recess/mental reset can be instilled in corporations.” – J

“We do a 3-minute meditation and a 1-minute gratitude practice… That really helps to focus my mind on all the great things we have already.” – D

“Make a safe place to have a conversation, welcome people’s feelings and thoughts.. they are very very important right now for a growing and thriving team.” – D

“Treat people with grace.” – J


Exploring Music Therapy with Kelsi Tafaro

“Talk therapy allows a person to speak about their topics, but it may be too difficult to discuss. So, music kind of allows for a creative approach and a non-intimidating approach.” Kelsi Tafaro, a board-certified music therapist, neurologic music therapist, special educator and executive director of NeuroSound Music Therapy, LLC., joins Jenn on this episode of We Are Everyone to discuss the therapeutic benefits of music.

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She shares how she was inspired to open her own practice, the scientific support behind music’s ability to alter our moods and how it helps us handle conflict and self-awareness. She also answers questions about the lessons that business leaders can take from music therapy as well as how it has impacted her own mental fitness path personally and as an entrepreneur. Plus, Kelsi and Jenn reveal the songs they listen to for an extra mental boost!

 

Guest’s Social Media: 

Kelsi Tafaro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsi-tafaro-585409102

NeuroSound Music Therapy, LLC.: https://www.neurosoundmusictherapy.com/meet-our-team

NeuroSound Music Therapy, LLC. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeuroSoundMT/

NeuroSound Music Therapy, LLC. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neurosoundmusictherapy/?igshid=10ou0ccyea182

 

Show notes

:00 Introductions

:47 Kelsi shares her background and life history that lead her to music therapy

2:32 Kelsi’s earliest connections to music and how a great teacher lead her to begin her musical healing journey

5:56 The purpose, science and process of music therapy as explained by Kelsi Tafaro

9:45 Kelsi reveals that using client – preferred music is part of her music therapy method and explains how songwriting, active listening and instrument-playing factor into her approach

13:05 Kelsi tells us what she feels about the term “mental fitness”

15:45 Using music therapy strategy, Kelsi explains how she strengthens the mental fitness of others, and gives the case of a child with attention issues

19:19 Jenn poses the question, “What lesson can you learn about yourself through music and art therapy?

20:45 How can the lessons we learn in therapy be applied to the workplace? Kelsi says that businesses are increasingly caring about the mental wellness of their employees

25:45 Kelsi reveals how she flexes her own mental fitness by setting boundaries and learning how to say “no”, while being a mother, wife and business owner

28:22 Jenn and Kelsi discuss her favorite songs for a quick mental boost

29:23 Kelsi leaves us with parting words and offers her services to the public


A Mental Fitness Journey Through Music with Cecily - Part 2

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“It’s not the external gaze that’s defining for you what fulfillment feels like in your life at this moment, it’s all you.” In part two of our conversation with Cecily – a vocalist, writer and healer – she continues to discuss how being a musician challenges and shapes her mental fitness journey. She also dives into reframing our mindset when it comes to social media, how she has built an online community around meditation, the evolution of the meaning behind success and gifting yourself with radical acceptance.

 

Show notes

:00 Cecily explains how being a musician challenges and shapes her mental fitness journey

3:18 The theory of impermanence provides a healthier framework for connecting with social media

5:59 Cecily outlines how a new journey into guided meditations has developed successfully online

8:00 Jenn speaks on being yourself and focusing on posting what you actually want

9:35 A hustle mindset can sometimes rob you of balance

14:25 Your definition of success should evolve with your age and mindset

16:15 Aligning with your own personal sense of spirituality and wellness contributes to a balanced, honest life

22:48 Cecily discusses how affirmations help her to flex her mental fitness

23:18 Reframing your mind can get you through tough situations

25:10 Radical acceptance

28:00 Parting words from Cecily

 

Books Mentioned

The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship: A Toltec Wisdom Book – Don Miguel Ruiz  https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Love-Practical-Relationship-Toltec/dp/1878424424 

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) – Don Miguel Ruiz https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319 

How to Love (Mindfulness Essentials) – Thich Nhat Hanh

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Mindfulness-Essentials-Thich-Nhat/dp/1937006883

All About Love: New Visions – Bell Hooks

https://www.amazon.com/All-About-Love-New-Visions/dp/0060959479 

 

Quotes Mentioned

“As a normal human being just going through their life, you can be like ‘yeah I’m gonna delete social media apps for a while’, but as an artist you feel guilty.”

“Take away that option of ‘I’m doing this because it looks interesting’… that’s a new type of freedom”

“It’s important to have a practice of knowing that this [social media] is not permanent, for one, it helps you appreciate the moment. ”

“It’s really helpful as an artist knowing that whether I have a new project to post or not, I’m still an important, valuable human being.”

“Focus on your intentions, not expectations.”

“Growth is a pendulum.”

“You have a following. It doesn’t need to be millions.”

“Focus on your core fan base and figure out what you’re offering.”

“You can’t throw balance out the window, when you feed other parts of yourself then you become a fuller human being.”

“Giving your all is not cute anymore. Balance is cute.”

“Your voice can be used in a lot of different ways, it doesn’t just have to be used for music.”

“As you get older, don’t be afraid to redefine what success means to you.”

“It’s not the external gaze that’s defining for you what fulfillment feels like in your life at this moment, it’s all you.”

“Everything has to feel in alignment now, or I just almost can’t do it… I just have to be purposeful in anything.”

“Bigger paychecks, less work.”

“You don’t need to do this much.”

“It’s so important to know how to say no.”

“It’s all about value alignment.”

“I am mighty and unrestricted.”

“It’s interesting how you can reframe a situation that’s kind of sucky at that moment in time.”

“Radical acceptance of the moment.”

“Take a moment today to tell yourself that you’re enough.”

“You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. All will be well.”


A Mental Fitness Journey Through Music with Cecily - Part 1

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“How do I use my voice to enable others to find healing in some way?” Cecily, a musician, writer and healer, joins We Are Everyone for a special two-part discussion on the power of discovering your voice and silencing that inner critic. In this episode, she shares her journey as a vocalist and songwriter including how shifting her focus to music allowed her to explore new ways to bring people together and the themes that she portrays through her work.

 

Guest Social Media Links

Website – http://cecilymusic.com/ 

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cecilyalexa/ 

Twitter – https://twitter.com/CecilyAlexa 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CecilyMusic 

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/user/CecilyMusic 

 

Show notes

2:33 Cecily tells us about herself and her mission

5:45 Words on patience

7:00 Cecily gives us her definition of mental fitness

10:00 Cecily shares her art inspirations and her journey from political science to healing music

13:16 How Cecily’s conceptualization of love and her latest album were framed by studying three of the most popular books ever created on love

17:30 Cecily tells us how learning the themes of healthy love carried over into her music and her overall life purpose

19:20 Jenn reminds us of love and all its forms, and how that plays into mental wellness

21:59 Cecily tells us how the the dynamics of being an artist online and in the world affect and contribute to a self love journey

 

Music Mentioned

Songs of Love and Freedom – http://cecilymusic.com/music/songs-of-love-and-freedom/

Awakening PT. 1 – http://cecilymusic.com/music/awakening-pt-1/ 

Books Mentioned

The Mastery of Love: A Practical Guide to the Art of Relationship: A Toltec Wisdom Book – Don Miguel Ruiz  https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Love-Practical-Relationship-Toltec/dp/1878424424 

The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) – Don Miguel Ruiz https://www.amazon.com/Four-Agreements-Practical-Personal-Freedom/dp/1878424319 

How to Love (Mindfulness Essentials) – Thich Nhat Hanh

https://www.amazon.com/Love-Mindfulness-Essentials-Thich-Nhat/dp/1937006883

All About Love: New Visions – Bell Hooks

https://www.amazon.com/All-About-Love-New-Visions/dp/0060959479 

Quotes Mentioned

“How do I use my voice to enable others to find healing in some sort of way?”

“Really looking at the reasons why you’re on this earth, and being able to find your voice [that early] is really beautiful.”

“Mental fitness is a continuum.”

“Mental fitness is retraining yourself out of your continuous mental critic”.

“How can I replace this negative self critic with someone who is more compassionate, more kind, more patient, more reassuring..”

“I always wanted to be the kind of person to bring people together and to build people up.”

“You have to choose love in every moment”.

“You learn that any type of vitriol has to be an automatic response. No, that’s something completely within my control”.

“All human beings learn a lot about what love is supposed to be through the media. As a black woman who makes soul music, it’s my job to carry all these themes that are changing my life, through music.”

“Media is BS a lot of the time, but music is coming from the soul.”


Understanding What’s Happening on the Other Side of the Keyboard

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“During the pandemic, you kind of had to face your mind.” COVID-19 was certainly a strain on all of us in one way or another and forced us to reckon with the importance of mental health. This re-evaluation was particularly prevalent in the transitioning workplace. Rayne Steinberg, Co-Founder and CEO of digital asset investment firm Arca, joins Jenn to talk about his own mental fitness journey as well as his team’s approach to fostering a company culture that emphasizes clear communication, ownership and an open awareness of the evolving ways to support employee wellness.

 

Show notes

:49 Rayne shares a little bit of background about himself and his business and family

1:50 Rayne’s definition of “mental fitness” in relation to ARCA

3:44 Rayne discusses that being part of a well-known family sometimes affected his mental wellness

7:26 Rayne explains how he implements mental fitness as a leader, how mass media and popular sentiment skew the realities of leadership, and how a public family controversy helped him to deal with internal struggles

12:57 Rayne discusses that his team has strategized and evolved with the society and the shift to promoting mental health in the workplace

15:07 Rayne outlines his company’s culture, where people feel like owners

17:55 Jenn and Rayne stress the importance of and value of clear communication at the workplace

20:24 At Arca, Slack and email are limited to informal messages, fostering clearer conversations

22:57 Rayne gives his view of the future of mental fitness/mental wellness in the workplace and details the successful company culture at ARCA

26:23 Rayne shares how taking distance from work to let the mind regenerate benefits his company

31:20 Rayne shares encouraging words for the masses, “its okay”

 

Books Mentioned:

Marc Randolph – That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Idea https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QLL7N7D/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005BSQWVM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

 

Quotes Mentioned:

“Mental wellness is really a very pliable, healthy mind, that helps you deal with a very changeable world.  A well balanced healthy mind is able to cope with adversity.”

“Flexibility and optionality are super important in this world and you can’t do that without a healthy mind”.

“During the pandemic, you kind of had to face your mind”.

“Everyone is having their own human experience”

“..In an increasingly optic-driven society, where we have a lot of exposure to success stories. We only get to hear the books of those who made it, so there’s a real survivorship bias on these things. People don’t realize how much good fortune and luck goes into these things. ”

“With the way I was raised in this very public way, one of the most helpful things is that we had a disintegration of that, very publicly as well, and that was no longer a pressure that was on you… I was forced to face what was going on internally and have people see very bad things going on, and it wasn’t fatal.”

“Be comfortable with things that weren’t as great, but not letting them be paralyzing.”

“Skills and aptitude’s are different, not necessarily better than the other”

“It hard to understand how much human interaction goes on in the workplace…. It’s hard to quantify, but you feel it in its absence.”

“The less context you have in interactions, the more you’re able to fill in on your own”

“You have to understand what’s going on, on the other side of that keyboard”

“Communication is a two way street. Whatever you say doesn’t matter, you’re looking to communicate something on the receiving end.”

“This virtual world has made the labor pool fluid and almost infinite…. But there’s also an incredibly broad pool for the applicant…”

“Find something that works for you, that you see the good results in, and be honest with it.”


Stripping Down the Façade & Leading with Honesty

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“Up at the top levels, they have to set the example to make the changes, because if it’s in disarray up there, it’s going to trickle all the way down to the bottom.“ Matt Davis, the president of Driftwood Leadership LLC, and Eric Hipple, an outreach specialist, author, speaker and NFL alumni, join to discuss how focusing on mental fitness impacts leadership strategies, handling life’s transitions, the benefit of asking someone what is going on three times and the struggle around perception of resilience. They also share how they began working together and the priceless lessons they have exchanged.

Show notes:

0:00 Intro

1:14 Matt shares a little bit of background about himself and what he does and why he decided to do what he does

2:41 Eric also shares a little bit of background about himself, what he does and why he loves doing what he does

5:12 Matt and Eric talk about how they transitioned from working in major institutions to consulting and entrepreneurial work they are doing now and how it’s impacting their work

10:31 Eric talks about the term mental fitness and what comes to his mind when he hears that term and the importance of always talking about mental fitness

13:41 Matt also talks about mental fitness and being aware of the importance of mental strength

16:22 Matt and Eric talk about things that you can do when things happen in your life that are negative to help you identify your identity and get back to being mentally fit

22:39 Matt talks about how mental fitness plays into his work in leadership and advocacy

24:57 Eric also talks about how mental fitness plays into his work with the Center for Neurological Studies Foundation and the Mental Health of Western Michigan Foundation

28:48 Matt talks about the importance of always expressing your emotions and the impact it can make on you and the society

31:52 Eric talks about his book called Real Men Do Cry, what it’s all about and what happened in his life that inspired him to write the book

33:51 Matt talks about the lessons that he learned from reading Eric’s book and also talks about the importance of being aware that it is okay to be vulnerable

38:15 Matt and Eric share their advice to people who are hesitant of getting their own therapist to help them with their mental wellness and other things that you can do

45:32 Eric shares his last word about the importance of being a beacon of hope to others which helps them to also be in a state of well-being

47:15 Matt also shares his last words about why people need to show their emotions because all people go through mental stress sometimes

Books Mentioned:

Real Men Do Cry: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Men-Cry-Eric-Hipple/dp/0981621929/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389838777&sr=8-1&keywords=real+men+do+cry 

Shows Mentioned:

NFL: http://www.nfl.com/

Detroit Lions: https://www.detroitlions.com/ 

After the Impact Fund: http://www.aftertheimpact.org/ 

Saratoga Warhorse: https://www.saratogawarhorse.org/

Quotes Mentioned:

“You cannot be at the top of your game in the business world if you’re not mentally fit.”

“You have to have both physical fitness and mental fitness, without one, you can’t have the other and vice versa.”

“Transition is what happens to you because of things that happen.”

“Anything that stops you from being your best self is an impediment to realizing your goals and your dreams.”

“Stress is part of everyday life.”

“When you get knocked down, you just get back up again.”

“You don’t need to be a jerk to be a good leader and you can be vulnerable and you can show emotions.”

“Life is full of firsts.”

“Don’t be afraid to be first.”

“If you are in a whole dark place right now, please know there’s a way to work your way out of it.”

“Be hopeful, not fearful, be hopeful and realize that tomorrow’s another day that you wake up and take a breath.”

“Focus on the here and now and what can you do right now to make your life better as days come and go.”

Guests Social Media Links:

Matt Davis

Website: https://mattdavisleadership.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-davis-56b015154/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattdavisleadership/ 

Eric Hipple

Website: https://www.erichipple.com/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehipple17/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.hipple


Expanding the Definition of Compassion with Her Journey Told Host, Sandy Lutton

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“We hear, often times, the success story…but do we really get down to what were the obstacles that you faced…and how did you show up on the days that you didn’t want to? That’s where we really learn from one another.” Fellow Pivotal Moments Media member and host of the new podcast Her Journey Told, Sandy Lutton chats with Jenn about launching the new show, the stories she wants to help tell and what she hopes the audience takes away from its multi-generational and global perspectives. She also shares her definition of compassion and how it relates to re-framing the conversations we have with ourselves as well as the freedom in misunderstanding.


Garnering Intentional Focus to Create a Growth Mindset

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“These days you have to be an intentional practitioner and a reflective practitioner to help people get from point A to point B.” Dr. Lonzo Sasso, the CEO of LCS Strategies & Alliance, LLC, a strategic collective of services in Education Consulting, Player Development, Community Affairs, and Event Production/ Brand Marketing, joins host Jenn Sherman for a special in-studio interview! He shares how he became inspired to help others achieve their goals, the tools and benchmarks he offers clients to build themselves up for individual success, the significance of resiliency and his effort to continue expanding access to the resources and process that creates a continuum of mental fitness and wellness.

Get ready to learn about the “three A’s” that help to create the “two A’s,” the test of the “three C’s,” the goal of the “three E’s” and the practice of the “two R’s.”

 

Dr. Lonzo Sasso LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lonzo-c-sasso-ed-d-3974265
LCS Strategies & Alliance: http://lcsstrategies.com/