Barbara Barna Abel

06/27/2023

I grew up with an imbalanced idea of what life balance is, thinking all the different parts had to be in equal amounts. What a huge relief and step forward when I met my guest for this episode, Erin Palinski-Wade, who helped me understand balance is about having the correct proportions.
Erin is the ultimate multi-hyphenate: a nationally recognized nutrition, diabetes, and fitness expert, author, TEDx speaker, business owner, frequent television guest, and busy mom of three, who also happens to be a huge content creator sharing real life nutrition advice and recipes on her successful TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram channels.
Key takeaways:
figure out how to make it work for you when the opportunity arises
preparation through trial and error allows you to say yes to last-minute opportunities
Don't be afraid to say NO if you are not well-versed and credible in a topic even if it would be "great exposure"
Look at your adaptable skills
As a content creator, prioritize discoverability over likes

Keep up with Erin and follow on any of the platforms below:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/erinpalinskiwade
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/
YouTube: https://youtube.com/healthymomhappyfamily
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HealthyMomHappierFamily
Learn more about her books by visiting www.erinpalinski.com: "Belly Fat Diet For Dummies," "2 Day Diabetes Diet," "Walking the Weight Off For Dummies"

06/20/2023

Being on message means saying things that agree with the official position of a political party, organization, business, or brand…and most importantly, being true to your own message!
My guest for this episode, Johanna Maska, is an expert bar none on the how and why of being On Message.
Johanna shaped the message and image of Barack Obama, beginning with the Iowa caucuses in 2007, all the way through being White House Director of Press advance until 2015, and recently launched her podcast, Press Advance, which debuted in the top ten and is getting rave reviews from both Democrats and Republicans.
Johanna lives the motto of the first Obama campaign: Respect, Empower, Include and says the message of her podcast is listening - listening to really smart people who I disagree with or who I agree with, but it's listening and trying to figure out how in this moment we actually press advance to tackle the big issues that really matter.
More takeaways:
open your heart and mind to other perspectives and points of view, especially those you disagree with
hold space to let others speak for themselves
pay attention to the news that actually matters (even if you have to search for it)
intention: always try to do better
understand the difference between opinions and facts
don't be afraid to break some eggs!
Johanna is the CEO of Global Situation Room - a highly respected public relations firm - and is a political contributor to NewsNation, appearing frequently on their 5pm (eastern) program, The Hill.
Listen to Press Advance
Connect with Johanna on LinkedIn
Learn more at Global Situation Room and JohannaMaska.com

06/13/2023

This feel great episode is brought to you by the word industrious which means diligent and hardworking, and also implies a habitual devotion to the work, which in the Camera, Ready & Abel universe is one of the keys to success.
This episode could also have been called Industrious: How to Get the Gig! because my guest, TV host, narrator, and media personality, Matthew Hoffman, generously - and hilariously - walks me step by step through how he landed the gig that propelled him to the next level, narrating and co-writing Love Island USA for CBS and Netflix. Hint: he focused on what he could control and put his energy not into getting the gig, but winning the hearts of the producers, casting directors and network executives (this part of the conversation starts around the 19 minute mark.)
Key Takeaways:
working hard is working smart
learn the power of saying no
know your why and who you are doing it for
finding joy in giving with no expectation of reward
you have to build a life outside of waiting for your big break
Matthew's distinctive voice can also be heard as the co-creator, series producer, and host of Previously On...The Official Love Island USA Podcast for ITV America and Peacock, as well as the Co-creator and host of Love Notes, a LIVE weekly radio show for Amazon Amp. His diverse professional portfolio includes serving as a special correspondent for Extra and the host of Sit Down with the Stars for Regal Cinemas, as well as an investor in theatrical productions such as The National Tour of Magic Mike Live and the Broadway Productions of Life of Pi, Merrily We Roll Along in NYC, and Prima Facie…to name a few.
Bonus: If you are looking for an uplifting, heart-centered piece of content then be sure to check-out Tuesdays With Matthew, a volunteer program founded by Matthew for Senior Citizens who recreate famous scenes from iconic movies and read this glowing piece in the New York Times.
Keep up with Matthew at:
IG: .tv
Website: www.matthewhoffman.tv/
Matthew's Love Island USA greatest hits season 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QJgPjVbE9Y

05/30/2023

“Alignment is a real place,” shares my guest Tamiko White who joins me on this episode of Camera Ready & Abel to discuss the journey to alignment.
Tamiko White is the founder of White Noise Consulting and creator of , a branding course and community for entrepreneurs. She is a fashion and media entrepreneur, creative brand consultant and writer who has worked with an impressive list of clients over the past 30 years- in front of the camera and behind the seams- to help everyone she works with build an inedible and profitable brand.

Tamiko has built a thriving and impactful business by aligning her values, skills, and interests.
Sometimes we are gently veering off the road and have to constantly tweak the wheel to stay on track. Tamiko is here to be your life mechanic and help keep you on the road to alignment one daily habit at a time.
Fun fact, Tamiko has been a hand model for 25 years and has played the hands of Viola Davis’!
Learn more about Tamiko and her course :
Website: www.tamikowhite.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/tamikowhite/
: https://tamikowhite.kartra.com/page/NOWTrending23

05/23/2023

If you're thinking I'm not in sales or I'm not a creative, I'm never going to pitch anything, think again!
As my guest for this episode, Dave Noll, says, life's a pitch, life's a series of pitches...whether it's love or work or anything important. Selling anything, creating anything, anything important in life comes with a pitch.
Dave knows what he's talking about. He and his partner, Cleve Keller, are the mega-successful creators and producers of Chopped (the most successful show in the history of the Food Network) and America Says (the most successful show in the history of the Game Show Network) plus 60 other shows that went from idea to successful pitch.
Dave lives by these Four P's: Positive, polite, persistent, professional.
More Dave nuggets:
Research, research, research! It's the end all and be all of a great pitch
Rehearse what you are pitching
Rehearse your pitch in front of someone and ask them to flag anything negative that seeps in
Reframe any negatives into positives
Identify that one thing that is going to make you memorable and be clear on that one thing
One extraordinary idea can change your life
Always ask: What about this...?
Dave's book, The Visionary in Charge, comes out fall 2023.
Enjoy Dave explaining the power and impact of positivity in this episode of Camera Ready & Abel.
Connect and follow Dave at www.linkedin.com/davenolltv
Dave recommends two of his favorite books: Jerry Weintraub's When I Stop Talking, You'll Know I'm Dead and The Last Great Ride by Brandon Tartikoff, former NBC programming chief.

05/16/2023

Dreams only become reality when we actually are curious enough to start implementing and making them happen. - Alice Ford
I say all the time that I'd be sitting in my villa in Tangier right now if I had a dollar or ten for every single person I've encountered who said I want to host a travel show. My guest for this episode, award winning host, adventure filmmaker and stunt woman, Alice Ford, created a travel show and turned it into a viable business.
Alice says curiosity is the key to all of it.
Curiosity not only didn't kill the cat, it made the cat smarter and more confident, according to Alice.
Key takeaways
You can turn your curiosity into a career
Curiosity allows you to be open to new opportunities
Share your curiosity with others
Ask questions!
Be curious to start doing it, creating it, exploring it
Know the limits/boundaries of your curiosity (ask yourself is this safe? how does my curiosity impact others?)
Alice's impressive resume is built on her exercising her curiosity. She is a self-described adrenaline ju**ie who has hiked some of the world’s tallest mountains, gone swimming with sharks, jumped out of airplanes, repelled down cliff sides and traveled solo all over the world documenting every moment for her award-winning series Alice’s Adventures on Earth, AND Alice has worked as a stuntwoman on some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters over the last decade including Spiderman - No Way Home, Transformers 4 & 5, Star Trek Into Darkness, Red Notice and Tenet.
Get more curious about Alice: alicesadventuresonearth.com (website), AliceFordAdventures (youtube), AlicesAdventuresonEarth (instagram)

05/16/2023

I am a card-carrying etiquette nerd along with my guest, for this episode, Kristi Spencer, who spent over two decades working in the rough and tumble world of local news before becoming a certified business etiquette expert and launching her business The Polite Company.
Why does it matter?
Good manners are good for business. Good manners minimize or prevent problems with reputation and employee/client retention (which impact the bottom line), make you more memorable and good manners are key to building relationships, the foundation of all business.
9 Key takeaways:
Assume good intentions
Etiquette is built on consideration, respect and honesty
Empowering etiquette means knowing how and when to ask for what you want
Learn to disagree politely
Rudeness is a two-way street (self-audit)
Don't correct other people's bad manners if they're not in your immediate family
You have two seconds to tell someone you've heard that story before
Kindness and listening have a positive ripple effect
Only say sorry when you really mean it
Kristi is a passionate advocate for workplace civility and professionalism and is regularly called on to provide etiquette expertise for media outlets. Learn more about Kristi's services at www.thepolitecompany.com.

05/02/2023

The title of this episode of Camera Ready & Abel - Dealing with Bozos and Bullies - tells you a lot about my guest for this episode. Iggy Perillo, founder of WSL Leadership, helps leaders and educators do right by their people with warmth, humor and compassion, training them to do the hardest part of great work more easily, through group and one-on-one coaching masterminds and experiential workshops designed to make it simple for them to connect with their people, create meaningful change and amplify positive culture.
Because research shows positive work cultures lead to more innovation, growth and profit (and less stress).
You've probably encountered at least a few bozos and bullies in your life. I know I have. Iggy makes it clear your perception is a matter or perspective. More key takeaways:
Power dynamics are real
It really does start at the top
We're all doing the best with what we have
Leaders must promote psychological safety
A thriving workplace requires cognitive empathy
Know when to flex versus when to be flexible.
Learn more about Iggy's transformational work at https://www.wslleadership.com/
Here are the books we discuss inspired by Iggy's Books Applied Podcast
Quit - Annie Duke
Mindset - Carol Dweck
Peak - Anders Ericsson
Atomic Habits - James Clear
Dare to Lead - Brene Brown
The Dawn of Everything - David Graeber and David Wengrow
The Creative Act - Rick Rubin
The Forty Rules of Love - Elif Shafak
Pachinko - Min Jin Lee
Talent is Overrated - Geoffrey Colvin
Latebloomers - Rick Karlgaard
The War of Art - Steven Pressfield
The Artists Journey - Steven Pressfield
Do the Work - Steven Pressfield
Turning Pro - Steven Pressfield
Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t - Steven Pressfield

04/25/2023

Dani Klein Modisett is a comedian, actor, author and accidental entrepreneur who (accidentally) founded, Laughter On Call - a company that runs innovative, interactive workshops for individuals and organizations rooted in mental wellness, designed to foster connection through shared laughter, by combining compassion with comedy to boost morale - when she saw the positive impact comedy had on her mother when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
Since the company's founding in 2018, more than 20,000 people have been through the Laughter on Call program and it's now the subject of a Harvard Case Study.
I learned so much from this conversation. Key takeaways:
Comedy is a craft that you can study and develop
Comedy requires courage and a unique point of view
Slipping on a banana peel is universally funny
Puppies are universally joyful and comforting
Leaders create psychological safety by making vulnerability okay
Yes AND will move you forward. Yes but or yeah maybe keep you stuck
Surround yourself with Yes AND people
Create opportunity
Visit Laughter On Call to learn more about their individual and group services or how your company can make Laughter On Call part of your benefits package.

04/18/2023

04/11/2023

Problem: What's my personal brand?
Solution: Aliza Licht, my guest for this episode of Camera Ready & Abel discussing her new book, ON BRAND: shape your narrative, share your vision, shift their perception.
Aliza explains being on brand means you have a clear understanding of what you align with, what it is you want to be known for and how to make sure other people see you that way.
That last bit is key because your brand is your story and in the absence of your story, people will create one for you.
The book notes for ON BRAND say it best: How you present in person, over email, and on social media communicates your personal brand. That brand deserves thoughtful cultivation and crafting as you shape your narrative, build your network, grow your confidence, and plot your future.
In a world where we communicate nonstop in both obvious and subtle ways, getting your message right and learning how to market yourself is paramount to success.
Full disclosure: I am honored to be included in chapter 7 of ON BRAND: Become a captivating speaker and own the room
Aliza is an award-winning marketer, bestselling author, podcaster, personal branding expert, and the founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK, a multimedia brand and consultancy.
Aliza’s first book, LEAVE YOUR MARK: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media, provides personal and professional guidance for people just starting their careers and for people who are well on their way.
Learn more about Aliza at www.alizalicht.com and listen to her weekly podcast, Leave Your Mark.
Listen to Aliza discussing mentorship on Camera Ready & Abel here
ON BRAND: shape your narrative, share your vision, shift their perception is available wherever books are sold.

04/04/2023

Time flies when you're learning and growing! I cannot believe this episode celebrates my two-year podaversary. It's been - and continues to be - a creative joy and an education which is why this episode of Camera Ready & Abel is brought to you by the word, GRATITUDE. From the Latin word gratis meaning thankful or pleasing.
I struggled for a bit before hitting the record button, wondering what I had to add to the Gratitude conversation, and then the Universe provided me with two quotes that helped reframe my internal dialogue on the subject:
The difference between thankfulness and gratitude is that thankfulness is an emotion, but gratitude is an attitude of appreciation under any circumstance which means gratitude is a state of being.
The second quote I heard in an online course I'm taking from the brilliant Gina Mollicone-Long who said, there's a difference between thinking about being grateful and actually physically being grateful. It's not enough to think you're grateful. You have to BE grateful.
The good news, which I explain in this episode, is that it's easy for all of us to get into a state of gratitude. As per usual, it begins with consciousness and intention.
I have endless gratitude to all of my guests for sharing their wit and wisdom and to you, for listening. Thank you.
If you need help getting to where you want to be from where you are today, please shoot me a note via my website abelintermedia.com and when you're there download my free ebook, 12 Tips for Success on Camera.

03/28/2023

Sometimes the universe brings you the person you absolutely need to speak with in that moment, and that’s what happened when I connected with my guest for this episode, Matt LeBris, host of the top 1% globally ranked podcast Decoding Success which is hyper-focused on delivering value through decoding others’ success.

Matt insists he’s not great at math but he shares two powerful equations:
Events + Perspective = Outcome
Knowing How to do something + the Courage to do it = What you really need

Key takeaways:
We can't control everything in life but we can control our perspective
Work with deliberate intention and act as if what you want is already happening
The work never ends
Don't waste time worrying about things that don't matter in the end
Small daily steps yield big results
Matt LeBris is a born and raised NY’er with the hustler's spirit. A Forbes 30 Under 30 nominee, Matt previously worked with Daymond John of Shark Tank and lives the mission to positively impact one life every day.
Learn more about Matt and the Decoding Success podcast at hoo.be/decodingsuccess.

03/21/2023

I was well into my adult years before I really started to understand how much choice I had in setting my mindset.
Mindset is defined as an established set of attitudes held by someone. It’s all about the way you think and feel about someone or something. This is typically reflected in our behavior, whether intentional or not. You can attach an infinite number of descriptors to mindset, including abundant, courageous, loving, positive, negative, fearful, or closed. The one I never connected until this powerful conversation about Mindset with Tai Beauchamp, is choice.
So many takeaways!
Mindset is consciousness + intention
Mindset is a choice
Redirect anxiety to anticipation
Be inspired by the mountaintops and then look at the cracks in the ground and be inspired there
Ask how do I show up differently?
How you begin is half the win
Tai is the creator and host of the popular Instagram live series Morning Mindset with Tai, a daily live session aimed at spirit, heart and mind which has grown into a global community since launching two years ago.
Tai is also a former beauty and fashion magazine editor of O, The Oprah Magazine, Seventeen, and InStyle as well as an established serial entrepreneur and TV host who has hosted her own shows on TLC and GSN. Last summer, Tai hosted and produced Lens of Culture, a travel show created for millennials of color on CleoTV. A true multi-hyphenate committed to the upliftment of women, in 2019 Tai launched Beyond Ready, a purposeful development platform that partners with corporations, organizations, and brands to support the professional and personal growth of its employees.
In April of 2020, Tai further expanded her entrepreneurial footprint joining Brown Girl jane, a plant-based wellness and CBD company, as Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer. In partnership with two fellow Spelman alumni, Tai endeavors to not only shift the perception of what wellness means for women of color but is committed to providing education and access to natural products and services that meaningfully support women in actualizing wellness for themselves.
Tai can be found online at Taibeauchamp.com and across social platforms. Join the Brown Girl jane tribe at BrownGirljane.com and Instagram via .
Join Morning Mindset with Tai Monday-Friday 6:30am PT/9:30am PT on Instagram Live.
From the archives:
BBA on Morning Mindset with Tai.
7 Ways to Make an Entrance originally posted on The Tai Life

03/14/2023

Rock N Roll Spirit is difficult to define but you know it when you feel it.
I sure felt it when I met my guest for this episode, Allison Hagendorf, the first time she walked into my TV Hosting class at TVI 20 years ago. Allison brings her Rock N Roll Spirit to everything she does. That includes:
a trailblazing attitude and mindset
a singular vision free of distraction
relentless perseverance
the will to go above and beyond (again and again)
being comfortable outside your comfort zone because blazing trails is often scary
Allison's career is long and impressive. She is an accomplished music journalist, media personality, and influencer and the host of The Allison Hagendorf Show, a weekly video podcast featuring interviews with some of the most globally iconic musicians and tastemakers.
Allison is the former Head of Rock at Spotify and started her career as an A&R executive at Columbia and Epic Records (after talking them into creating a position for her), before transitioning to TV host and music journalist, interviewing artists and covering music news for Fuse Television Network and The CW’s music-competition show The Next, as well as The X Games on ABC and ESPN. In 2012, Allison became the Official Host of Times Square New Year’s Eve for over one million revelers and over one billion global livestream viewers.
Visit Allison at allisonhagendorf.com and follow her at on Instagram and TikTok and listen to The Allison Hagendorf Show on iTunes or your favorite podcast platform.

03/07/2023

Embracing failure has been a throughline in many of the success stories shared on Camera Ready & Abel but this is the first time it has taken center stage.
According to experts on the interwebs, failure is defined as a lack of success or the inability to meet an expectation. I'm thrilled that here to discuss with me is Ben Currier, the self-proclaimed world's number one failure, who is the host of the ironically successful Failure Guy podcast, which Chartable ranks in the 99.8 percentile for global reach - certainly a marker of success.
Ben says he is amazed how much failure people can endure and still succeed.
Ben spent the last 15 years in corporate America financially forecasting billions of dollars across multiple industries. He is an extremely talented Excel guru, 4-time Microsoft MVP Award Winner, and creator of an enormously successful online Excel training (rated one of the six Best Online Excel Classes per Investopedia.)
Despite these successes, Ben has been fired from every job he's had since graduating college. This has inspired him to investigate how to get better at dealing with failure, rather than avoiding facing the reality of his problems.
Key takeaways:
Turn setbacks into success
The ultimate failure is failing to learn from failure
When we change our energy we change our lives
Try new things and get proficient at them before moving on
You (really) can learn to paint with Bob Ross
Learn more about Ben and the Failure Guy podcast at www.failureguy.com.

02/28/2023

My guest for this episode is legendary New York broadcast journalist and 9 time Emmy Award-winner Jane Hanson who shares her blueprint for how to thrive by successfully overcoming challenges in media, your career and life.
Jane grew up in rural Minnesota with no contacts in news or entertainment, and arrived in New York with determination, a strong work ethic and the best advice she ever received from her aunt who said the secret to a long, happy life is your ability to change your attitude.
Jane is also a much sought after speaker and communications coach whom I've been following for ages, and it was her LinkedIn post on women owning their space that made me say, I have to talk to Jane Hanson!
Jane's key takeaways:
listen more (listening is the key to a great interview)
make eye contact
stop playing it small and start taking up space
language matters especially body language
change your attitude
consider other perspectives
ask questions
develop relationships and allies
Key words:
tenacity
grit
perseverance
discipline
adaptability
work ethic
Learn more about Jane’s work at www.janehanson.com or visit her on social media at:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/janehansonofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janehansontv/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/janehanson
page: https://www.facebook.com/JaneHansonTV

02/21/2023

Tapping Into Your Talent is the heart of the Camera Ready and Abel podcast and I'm thrilled to have my dear friend and co-conspirator Vinnie Potestivo here to break it all down and celebrate my 100th episode!
Vinnie shares with us how to leverage your talent by identifying your strengths, weaknesses and interests to build a career you can sustain and grow. Identifying into your talent can start with a simple question:
What are you good at and interested in doing?
Tapping into your talent means practicing and developing your skills:
Plant seeds - some ideas taking longer to grow than others
Reflect, revisit and re-assess
Set specific goals
Learn from others
Stay motivated and persistent
Think how your audience could best experience you based on available technology
Remember shareability is more valuable than visibility
Vinnie is an Emmy Award-winning media advisor who helps people and their business get seen and heard. Vinnie and I met years ago when he was a television network executive at MTV Networks where he discovered talent & developed new ways to support their goals. Pioneering how brands and business owners could contribute to their public narrative, he helped them become hosts, stars, and producers of their own tv series.
As an advocate for independent creators, Vinnie hosts "I Have A Podcast®" and serves as the editor-in-chief of ihaveapodcast.com, a premier destination for indie podcasters looking to advance their careers. He also shares valuable creator economy business strategies, insights, and experiences with co-host Judi Fox on "Let's Talk Social Audio.”