Conversations with Sekani

Conversations with Sekani is a podcast for ambitious young adults navigating the confusing crossroads of career, health, and purpose.Hosted by Joy “Sekani”, a calm, open, deeply curious thinker, the show follows her journey to gain clarity by having honest conversations with people who’ve walked different paths. Nothing is scripted. Nothing is perfect. Just real, raw, inspiring dialogue.From career pivots to mental health, from chasing big dreams to handling setbacks, each episode helps listeners move from overwhelmed to confident

Conversations with Sekani is a business podcast hosted by Joy Okolobi, with 439 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Joy Okolobi hosts Conversations with Sekani, a business show with 439 episodes published.

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  Conversations with Sekani

  Leadership Isn’t Charisma — It’s a Process Anyone Can Learn | Ed Tyson

  Oct 3, 202630 min

  Ed Tyson is a former Marine, corporate executive, author, executive coach, and startup CEO. He is the creator of the Leadership SOPs framework and the author of From Expert to Executive. As a coach, Ed helps leaders make one powerful shift: stop doing the team’s work and start doing the work of leading. He doesn’t teach leadership as a classroom subject — he teaches it through action and repeatable routines he calls Leadership SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures for leading). In this clear and practical conversation, Ed challenges common leadership myths and shares: • Why leadership is a process, not a personality trait or charisma • The difference between “leading” and “leading well” • Why the real purpose of leadership is cultivating a willing, capable, and sustainable community of effort • How focusing on the objective (instead of the community) undermines real leadership • Practical ways to stop being the bottleneck as an expert-turned-leader • Building confidence through repeatable leadership routines If you’re in your 20s stepping into leadership for the first time, moving from individual contributor to manager, or tired of leadership advice that feels vague and personality-driven, this episode offers a clear, actionable framework. Timestamps below ⬇️ #EdTyson #LeadershipSOPs #FromExpertToExecutive #Leadership #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Ed Tyson Website: https://www.leadershipsops.com/ LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/ed-tyson-sops If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Ed Tyson 1:40 - Leadership Is a Process, Not a Trait 8:15 - Why “Born or Made” Is the Wrong Question 15:30 - Leading vs Leading Well 23:10 - The Real Purpose of Leadership: Community of Effort 31:45 - Why Focusing Only on the Objective Fails 40:20 - From Expert to Executive: Stopping the Bottleneck 48:50 - Leadership SOPs: Repeatable Routines That Work 57:15 - Practical Advice for New & Emerging Leaders

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  Conversations with Sekani

  West Point to Colombia: Why Success Still Left Me Empty | Scottie Schneider

  Oct 3, 202631 min

  Scottie Schneider is the founder of OPAI, an indigenous-guided mentorship community based in Colombia focused on making healing sustainable — not just something experienced in a moment. A West Point graduate, former entrepreneur, and veteran advocate, his work sits at the intersection of nervous system regulation, community building, ancestral wisdom, and life transition. In this raw and insightful conversation, Scottie shares: • Growing up in a strict religious household and finding unexpected freedom in the military • The life-changing injury that forced him out of the Army with no identity or community • Why conventional success (career, money, entrepreneurship) still left him unhappy • How salsa dancing and travel led him to Colombia — and a sense of home • The difference between chasing peak experiences and building real, lasting transformation • Why community and ancestral wisdom matter more than quick-fix healing • A message for young people still searching for who they really are If you’re in your 20s feeling stuck in transitions, questioning the “success” path you’ve been sold, or searching for deeper belonging and sustainable healing, this episode offers honest perspective and hope. Timestamps below ⬇️ #ScottieSchneider #OPAI #Healing #Colombia #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Scottie Schneider Website: https://www.ocoyai.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottieschneider/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Scottie Schneider 1:40 - Growing Up Restricted & Finding Freedom in the Military 8:15 - The Injury That Forced a Complete Life Reset 15:30 - Losing Identity, Community & Direction at 23 23:10 - Why Career, Money & Entrepreneurship Still Felt Empty 31:45 - Salsa, Travel & Discovering Home in Colombia 40:20 - Community, Family & a Different Way of Being 48:50 - Chasing Experiences vs Building Real Transformation 57:15 - Message for Young People Still Searching

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  Conversations with Sekani

  From Air Force Special Ops to Private Equity — Discipline Over Motivation | Jesse Sells

  Oct 3, 202625 min

  Jesse Sells is co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Impact Growth Capital, where he oversees operations across a diverse portfolio of companies and properties. He is passionate about turning big-picture strategy into real-world results that create meaningful impact for businesses and communities. Before entrepreneurship, Jesse served as a combat aviation advisor and intelligence analyst in Air Force Special Operations. He briefed top military leaders, worked alongside international partners, and gained rare leadership experience in high-pressure, high-stakes environments. In this practical and grounded conversation, Jesse shares: • The hardest mindset shift when moving from military service to entrepreneurship • What briefing four-star generals taught him about staying calm under pressure • Why motivation is fleeting — and why habits matter more than discipline • How to build cultural awareness as a young professional • Lessons from negotiating high-stakes deals by focusing on human connection • Redefining identity after a high-intensity chapter of life If you’re in your 20s navigating career transitions, building discipline, or learning how to lead and connect under pressure, this episode delivers clear, battle-tested insight. Timestamps below ⬇️ #JesseSells #ImpactGrowthCapital #Discipline #MilitaryToBusiness #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Jesse Sells Website: http://impactgrowthcap.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-sells/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejessesells/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Jesse Sells 1:40 - From Military to Markets: The Hardest Mindset Shift 8:15 - Staying Calm When the Stakes Are High 15:30 - Briefing Generals & Realizing “We’re All Just People” 23:10 - Discipline vs Motivation (Why Habits Win) 31:45 - Building Cultural Awareness as a Young Professional 40:20 - Human Connection in High-Stakes Negotiations 48:50 - Redefining Identity After Service 57:15 - Practical Advice for Ambitious 20-Somethings

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  Conversations with Sekani

  I Stayed Silent for 50 Years — The Cost of Untold Trauma | Sheryl Hawk

  Oct 3, 202619 min

  Sheryl Hawk is an author, retired music educator, and survivor advocate. She is the author of Peace by Piece — a memoir of survival, resilience, and the power of creativity that explores what it means to break silence, reclaim your voice, and rebuild a life after childhood trauma. With honesty, gentle humor, and deep compassion, Sheryl shares how storytelling, creativity, and advocacy don’t just help us heal — they help us connect, feel seen, and create meaningful change. In this powerful and tender conversation, Sheryl shares: • Living a full, successful life while carrying untold stories • What finally helped her recognize the weight of silence • The physical cost of silence (neurological conditions linked to trauma) • Why so many people stay quiet for so long • What reclaiming your voice looks like in everyday life • Why she told her story with care and emotional safety (not sensationalism) • How creativity — especially music — becomes a pathway to healing If you’re in your 20s carrying childhood wounds, struggling with the weight of silence, or wondering how to begin healing without having all the answers, this episode offers real hope and gentle courage. Timestamps below ⬇️ #SherylHawk #PeaceByPiece #SurvivorAdvocate #ChildhoodTrauma #ConversationsWithSekani Connect with Sheryl Hawk Website: https://sherylhauk.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-hauk-30571055/ If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Sheryl Hawk 1:40 - Living with Untold Stories 8:15 - Recognizing the Weight of Silence 15:30 - The Physical Cost of Carrying Trauma 23:10 - Why We Stay Quiet for So Long 31:45 - What Reclaiming Your Voice Looks Like 40:20 - Healing Beyond the Headlines 48:50 - Creativity as a Path to Healing 57:15 - Message for Young Survivors Still Finding Their Voice

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  Conversations with Sekani

  Brain Fog, Anxiety & Low Energy? It Starts in Your Gut | Jana Jamail

  Oct 3, 202620 min

  Jana Jamail is a certified nutritionist specialist working at the intersection of functional nutrition, neuroscience, and the gut-brain connection. She helps people dealing with complex chronic health issues like brain fog, digestive problems, immune dysfunction, and neuroinflammation — especially when conventional treatments haven’t fully worked. She blends clinical experience with research (including published work on red light therapy and brain health). Her approach focuses on practical, evidence-informed strategies that support the nervous system, gut health, and detox. Jana and her husband also adopted their son through foster care; he lives with ADHD, autism, PTSD, anxiety, and immune challenges — lived experience that deeply shapes how she understands real-life healing. In this insightful conversation, Jana shares: • What pulled her toward the gut-brain connection and applied neuroscience • Her career pivot from COO in online education to nutrition and brain health • Why so many young people deal with brain fog, low energy, and anxiety • How what you eat and what you consume visually both act as “diets” • Where someone in their 20s who feels mentally drained should start • The importance of gut health before addressing the brain • Stopping the habit of “shoulding” on yourself If you’re in your 20s struggling with brain fog, constant fatigue, anxiety, or digestive issues and want clear, science-backed starting points, this episode connects the dots. Timestamps below ⬇️ #JanaJamail #GutBrainConnection #BrainFog #Nutrition #ConversationsWithSekani If conversations with Sekani sparks something in you, do well to share to someone who you think might need this. Subscribe so you don’t miss new episodes. If you have a minute leaving a review helps more people discover these everyday unique voices and the insight they carry. Your support means the world. Want to be a guest on Conversation with Sekani? Send a message to Joy https://www.podmatch.com/member/conversationswithsekani Chapters 0:00 - Intro & Welcome Jana Jamail 1:40 - What Drew Her to Gut-Brain & Neuroscience 8:15 - Career Pivot: From COO to Nutrition Specialist 15:30 - Why Young People Struggle with Brain Fog & Anxiety 23:10 - The Two Diets: What You Eat + What You Consume Visually 31:45 - Where to Start If You Feel Mentally Drained 40:20 - Fix the Gut First — The Brain Will Follow 48:50 - Stop “Shoulding” on Yourself 57:15 - Practical Tools for Nervous System & Daily Energy

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