Make Meaning Blog
Tag: Higher Purpose

Merryn Glover

Episode 132 – Merryn Glover – Literary Fiction about Place

Merryn Glover writes literary fiction from the Scottish Highlands, deep into the Cairngorm Mountains. Her lyrical prose invokes place and relationship in gorgeous ways, her words rising from the page to attach to the reader’s heart. Born in Kathmandu and raised in Nepal, Pakistan and India, Merryn is the daughter of Australian missionaries and moved to Scotland after she met the love of her life. In the latest episode of the Make Meaning Podcast, host Lynne Golodner interviews Merryn Glover about how a sense of place shapes us, how we belong, and the shifting territories of culture. Writing since she […]

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Episode 41 – Marianne Simon – Making Meaning from Loss

What happens when you suffer incomparable loss? The sudden death of a loved one, when life changes instantaneously and you never saw it coming?  Such a life-changing situation happened to Marianne Simon when she lost her husband of 26 years – and through the grieving, she evolved into a one-woman show called “Widows Anonymous,” which launches in June live in Los Angeles. On this week’s Make Meaning podcast episode, Lynne speaks with Marianne, an actress, writer, artist, and sustainable landscape architect who has spent two years redefining herself and her purpose.  Journaling, reflecting and spending time in stillness led to creativity and connection. Now, […]

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Episode 40 – Lynne Golodner – The Message Matters

What does your brand story say about your company? Does it communicate what you do AND why you do it? Does it engage the listener deeply or often enough? As a firm whose primary activity is message development, we know that a carefully crafted and delivered brand message can make all the difference between brands that succeed and those that don’t. This week on the Make Meaning podcast, Lynne Golodner explores why The Message Matters, and how to know if you’re getting it right. After 15 years as a journalist, Lynne created Your People LLC in 2007 to guide organizations & entrepreneurs in building the bottom line through strategic storytelling, relationships & higher purpose. […]

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Episode 38 – Andrew Stein – Cities and Communities

What if every student aged 18-25 pursued a year of service? What might they learn about being a part of something bigger than themselves? For Andrew Stein, it was a transformational time that defined purpose and set the direction for his career as Executive Director of City Year Detroit. As a City Year corps member right out of college, Andrew learned about serving a community, which revealed a new definition of success: people building vibrant careers running nonprofits and serving in government, making a difference through the work they do. This week on the Make Meaning podcast, Lynne talks with Andrew about City Year’s […]

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Make Meaning Podcast EPISODE 36 – Teens and Food with Jen Rusciano

Episode 36 – Jen Rusciano – Teens and Food

Breaking bread or preparing a meal together can remove barriers and build powerful connections. And when it’s Detroit teens embarking on a culinary adventure together in a safe space where they can question, explore, learn and engage with mentors, it could be the first step toward becoming future decision makers, thought leaders, changemakers. Tune in to this week’s episode of the Make Meaning podcast, where Lynne Golodner speaks with Jen Rusciano, co-founder and Executive Director of Detroit Food Academy, about how three pillars – food, business and education – make a difference in the lives of Detroit teens. For Jen […]

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Episode 35 – Lyndsay Edmonds – Purposeful Third Spaces

This week on the Make Meaning podcast, Lyndsay Edmonds, founder and owner of Harless and Hugh Coffee and the Public House, both in Bay City Michigan, talks about what it means to create “third spaces” for people to gather. Inspired by time spent in Southeast Asia, Lyndsay has developed an appreciation for people, their differences and similarities, and the community spots that cultivate connections through conversations. “I specialize in giving people spaces to be themselves,” says Lyndsay. “It’s mainly done through conversation – just being really open and listening to the community and what they think and need.” Learn more about how Lyndsay makes meaning through these purposeful third […]

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Episode 34 – Julie Silver – Building True Health

We love entrepreneurs who carefully craft their brand story and create visual components to inspire. Julie Silver, founder and president of Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, is a great example of this. She’s our guest on this week’s Make Meaning podcast, sharing stories about how her brand evolved over time, how she dared to make a career pivot to follow her heart and soul, and how she has built a thriving, connected team. Listen here: About Julie Silver: Julie Silver, MSW, R. Ac. is president and founder of Michigan Associates of Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine, Inc. Julie is a […]

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Episode 33 – Rachel Lutz – Transcending Transactions

What do public radio, the Clinton Administration, and clothing stores have in common? How does a person who hates shopping and dislikes the fashion industry become the owner of four successful retail clothing and accessory shops? Most of all, what is the key to pursuing purpose and making a difference through connections and relationships? Find out on this episode of Make Meaning when Lynne Golodner interviews Rachel Lutz, a Detroit entrepreneur, business owner and community ambassador whose “secret sauce” transcends transaction by creating an experience for, and by building relationships with, every person who enters her stores. What’s the secret to customer retention and long-lasting loyalty? What keeps them coming back again and […]

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Episode 30 – Kelli Dobner – The Power of Culture

This week’s Make Meaning guest, Kelli Dobner, Chief Advancement Officer at Samaritas, talks about culture, community, and connection to a higher purpose, and how she successfully rallies some 2,000 employees around a cause and a vision. It has something to do with taking chances and dressing up like a rock – you have to be all in, if you want everyone else to be! Ms. Dobner joined Samaritas in 2017, bringing a proud history of creating “a culture of ambassadorship.” She has built a career on the principles of communication, community-building and concern for the greater good. In 2018, she was named one of Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine’s Notable Women […]

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